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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Robin Redbreast, by Mary Louisa Molesworth
+
+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: Robin Redbreast
+       A Story for Girls
+
+Author: Mary Louisa Molesworth
+
+Illustrator: Robert Barnes
+
+Release Date: July 18, 2008 [EBook #26085]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROBIN REDBREAST ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Chris Curnow, Lindy Walsh, Josephine Paolucci
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+https://www.pgdp.net.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: The old lady tapped her stick impatiently on the hard
+gravel.
+
+PAGE 36.]
+
+
+
+
+ROBIN REDBREAST
+
+A STORY FOR GIRLS
+
+BY
+
+MRS MOLESWORTH
+
+AUTHOR OF 'CARROTS;' 'THE PALACE IN THE GARDEN;' 'A CHARGE FULFILLED;'
+'IMOGEN;' 'THE BEWITCHED LAMP,' etc.
+
+WITH SIX ILLUSTRATIONS BY ROBERT BARNES
+
+W. & R. CHAMBERS, LIMITED
+LONDON AND EDINBURGH
+
+
+    A good old country lodge, half hid with blooms
+    Of honeyed green, and quaint with straggling rooms.
+
+                                  LEIGH HUNT.
+
+    Give me simplicity, that I may know Thy ways,
+    Know them and practise them.
+
+                                  GEORGE HERBERT.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+CHAPTER                                       PAGE
+
+I. THE HOUSE IN THE LANE                         7
+
+II. THE OLD LADY                                23
+
+III. TWO JACINTHS                               39
+
+IV. A LETTER AND A DISCUSSION                   54
+
+V. AN OLD STORY                                 69
+
+VI. BESSIE'S MISGIVINGS                         84
+
+VII. AN INVITATION                              99
+
+VIII. DELICATE GROUND                          116
+
+IX. THE INDIAN MAIL                            135
+
+X. THE HARPERS' HOME                           150
+
+XI. GREAT NEWS                                 164
+
+XII. '"CAMILLA" AND "MARGARET," YES'           181
+
+XIII. MAMMA                                    192
+
+XIV. A COURAGEOUS PLEADER                      206
+
+XV. LADY MYRTLE'S INTENTIONS                   224
+
+XVI. A BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT                   239
+
+XVII. TWO DEGREES OF HONESTY                   255
+
+XVIII. I WILL THINK IT OVER                    270
+
+XIX. UNCLE MARMY'S GATES                       281
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
+
+
+THE OLD LADY TAPPED HER STICK IMPATIENTLY ON THE
+HARD GRAVEL                                          _Frontispiece_
+
+AND THEN FRANCES RELATED THE WHOLE, MARGARET LISTENING
+INTENTLY TILL ALMOST THE END                               Page 75
+
+JACINTH'S BROWS CONTRACTED, AND THE LINES OF HER
+DELICATE FACE HARDENED, BUT SHE SAID NOTHING                   141
+
+JACINTH SAT DOWN ON A STOOL AT LADY MYRTLE'S FEET
+AND LOOKED UP IN HER FACE                                      177
+
+'IT IS SO GOOD OF YOU, MEETING ME LIKE THIS,' THE
+YOUNGER WOMAN WHISPERED                                        207
+
+'AH WELL!' SAID LADY MYRTLE, 'ANOTHER DREAM VANISHED!'         243
+
+
+
+
+ROBIN REDBREAST.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE HOUSE IN THE LANE.
+
+
+It stood not very far from the corner--the corner where the lane turned
+off from the high-road. And it suited its name, or its name suited it.
+It was such a pretty, cosy-looking house, much larger really than it
+seemed at the first glance, for it spread out wonderfully at the back.
+
+It was red too--the out-jutting front, where the deep porch was, looking
+specially red, in contrast with the wings, which were entirely covered
+with ivy, while this centre was kept clear of any creepers. And high up,
+almost in the roof, two curious round windows, which caught and
+reflected the sunset glow--for the front was due west--over the top of
+the wall, itself so ivy grown that it seemed more like a hedge, might
+easily have been taken as representing two bright, watchful eyes. For
+these windows were, or always looked as if they were, spotlessly clean
+and shining.
+
+'What a quaint name! how uncommon and picturesque!' people used to say
+the first time they saw the house and heard what it was called. I don't
+know if it will spoil the prettiness and the quaintness if I reveal its
+real origin. Not so _very_ long ago, the old house was a queer, rambling
+inn, and its sign was the redbreasted bird himself; somewhere up in the
+attics, the ancient board that used to swing and creak of a windy night,
+was still hidden--it may perhaps be there to this day! And somebody (it
+does not matter who, for it was not any somebody that has to do with
+this story) took a fancy to the house--fast growing dilapidated, and in
+danger of sinking from a respectable old inn into a very undesirable
+public-house, for the coaches had left off running, and the old traffic
+was all at an end--and bought it just in time to save it from such
+degradation.
+
+This somebody repaired and restored it to a certain extent, and then
+sold it again. The new owner enlarged and improved it, and built the
+high wall which now looked so venerable; for already this was many, many
+years ago. The present owner of Robin Redbreast was the daughter of this
+gentleman--or nobleman rather--and she had lived in it ever since the
+death of her husband, fully twenty years ago.
+
+She was an old woman now. Her name was Lady Myrtle Goodacre. The
+Goodacres, her husband's family, belonged to a distant county, and when
+_her_ Mr Goodacre died, her connection with his part of the country
+seemed to cease, for she had no children, and her thoughts turned to the
+neighbourhood of her own old home, and the pretty quaint house not very
+far from it, which had been left her by her father, the late earl. And
+thither she came. But she was not exactly a sociable old lady, and few
+of the Thetford people knew her. So that there grew to be a slight
+flavour of mystery about Robin Redbreast.
+
+The lane was about three-quarters of a mile from the little town of
+Thetford. Not that it was a little town in its own estimation; like
+many small things, it thought itself decidedly important. It was a
+pleasant, healthy place, and of late years it had wakened up a good deal
+in some directions, of which education was one, so that several families
+with boys and girls in want of schooling came and settled there. For the
+grammar-school was now prospering under an excellent and energetic
+head-master, and there was talk of a high-school for girls.
+
+But this latter institution was still in the clouds or the air, and so
+far, the girls of Thetford families had to content themselves with the
+teaching to be obtained at two steady-going, somewhat old-fashioned
+private schools, of which the respective heads were, oddly enough, the
+Misses Scarlett and the Misses Green. There were three Misses Scarlett
+and two Misses Green (I fear they were more often described as 'The Miss
+Scarletts' and 'The Miss Greens'), and all five were ladies of most
+estimable character.
+
+There was no rivalry between the two schools. Each had and held its own
+place and line. Ivy Lodge and Brook Bank were perfectly distinct, so
+distinct that neither trod on the other's toes. The former, that
+presided over by the Scarlett sisters, was recognisedly for the
+daughters of the Thetford upper ten thousand; Brook Bank existed for the
+little maidens belonging to the shopkeepers and small farmers of and
+near the town. Nowadays a high-school would ignore such distinctions and
+absorb them all--whether for better or worse is a matter of opinion. But
+as things were, I don't think any harm came from the division of
+classes; thanks in great measure, very probably, to the good sense and
+feeling of the heads of the two schools. On the rare occasions on which
+the Misses Scarlett met the Misses Green--at great parish entertainments
+or fancy fairs--the latter gave precedence to the former with ready and
+smiling deference, sure to be graciously acknowledged by old
+white-haired Miss Scarlett with a kindly hand-shake or 'Many thanks,
+Miss Green;' the younger sisters following suit. For the Scarletts were
+well-born, much better born, indeed, than some of their pupils, and the
+Greens had got themselves educated with difficulty, and in their present
+position were higher on the social ladder than any of their progenitors
+had ever been--higher socially and more successful practically than they
+themselves had in past days dared to hope to be. Financially speaking,
+it was well known in Thetford that the Greens had made a much better
+thing of their school than the Scarletts. The Scarletts were inclined to
+be too liberal and too generous. Their boarders were in many instances
+the children of former friends or connections, who found it convenient
+to trade upon such ties when the questions and difficulties of education
+arose, and to suggest that _their_ daughters might be taken on a
+different footing.
+
+In a side-street running out of the market-place stood a few well-built,
+old, red-brick houses, which were considered among the 'best' residences
+in Thetford. No two of them were exactly alike: some were nearly twice
+as large as the others; one was high and narrow, its neighbour short and
+broad. They were only alike in this, that they all opened straight on to
+the wide pavement, and had walled-in, sunny gardens at the back.
+
+In one of the smaller of these houses--a prim, thin-looking house, too
+tall for its breadth--lived a maiden lady, well known by some of the
+Thetford folk, not indeed _unknown_ to any, for she had made her home in
+the town for many years. Her name was Miss Mildmay, or to be quite
+correct, Miss Alison Mildmay. For the actual Miss Mildmay was her
+niece, a very young girl whom you will hear more about presently.
+
+Miss Alison Mildmay was a very old friend of the Misses Scarlett.
+
+At Number 9 Market Square Place--that was the name of the short row of
+houses I have described--some six months or so before the date at which
+I think this story may really be said to begin, there had been an
+arrival one evening.
+
+It was late October: the days were drawing in; it was almost dark when
+the fly from the two-miles-off railway station--I should have explained
+that there was no station at Thetford; the inhabitants had petitioned
+against the railway coming near them, and now their children had to
+suffer the inconvenience of this shortsightedness as best they
+might--drew up at Miss Mildmay's door, and out of it stepped four
+people--three children, and a young man scarcely more than a boy. There
+were two girls, looking about twelve and fourteen, a little fellow of
+six or seven, and the young man.
+
+They were all in mourning, and they were all very silent, though in the
+momentary delay before the door was opened, the eldest member of the
+party found time to whisper to the girls a word or two of encouragement.
+
+'Try to be cheery, darlings,' he said. 'There's nothing to be afraid of,
+you know.'
+
+'I'm not afraid, Uncle Marmy,' replied the elder; 'I'm only _awfully_
+dull. If--oh, if Francie and I were old enough for you to be going to
+take us out to papa and mamma. Oh, if only'----
+
+'Hush,' whispered Uncle Marmy. He looked young to be an uncle, younger
+still to be, as he was, a full-fledged lieutenant in the 200th. 'Hush,
+dear,' as the door opened.
+
+Miss Mildmay was at home--it would have been strange had she not been
+so, considering that she had known for quite a week the exact day and
+hour at which her guests were expected. But it would have seemed less
+strange and more natural had she been there in the hall, hurrying
+forward to meet them, instead of waiting, to all appearance calmly
+enough, in the long bare drawing-room, into which the parlour-maid at
+once ushered them. She was a small woman, neat and pleasing in
+appearance, and her manner was sufficiently cordial as she came forward;
+though the reverse of demonstrative, it was dry rather than cold.
+
+'You are very punctual,' she said as she kissed the children and shook
+hands with their young escort, saying as she did so, 'Mr Denison, I
+presume?'
+
+'Yes,' he replied; adding in a cheerful tone, 'it is a case of
+introducing ourselves all round. You have never seen my--"our" I may
+say--nieces and nephew before?'
+
+'No,' said Miss Mildmay. 'I am a very, an exceedingly busy person, and I
+rarely leave home, and never have visitors. So, though my brother's
+children have been so many years in England, they might have been as
+many more without our meeting, but for--these unforeseen circumstances.'
+
+It seemed as if some less vague expression had been on her lips, but
+glancing round, she had caught sight of a tremulous flutter amidst the
+black garments of the two girls seated beside her--the elder stretching
+out her hand to clasp her sister's. Miss Alison Mildmay dreaded 'scenes'
+of all things; possibly, too, she felt conscious that her words sounded
+harsh. For she added quickly, 'Of course, I don't count these young
+folk as visitors. I hope they will very soon feel quite at home here,
+and no doubt we shall fall into each other's ways nicely.'
+
+The little speech cost her an effort; but she was rewarded for it.
+Marmaduke Denison could not restrain an audible sigh of relief.
+
+'Thank you,' he said, with what sounded almost exaggerated fervour,
+'thank you so much. It is--it has been very good of you to--to arrange
+as you have done. I assure you my sister and Mildmay appreciate it
+thoroughly.'
+
+A shade of stiffness returned again to her manner.
+
+'I quite understand my brother,' she said coldly. And though Uncle Marmy
+was too deeply in earnest to mind the snub, he wished he had answered
+less effusively.
+
+'Do you think Eugene is like his father?' he said quietly, drawing
+forward the little fellow, who had been standing somewhat in the
+background.
+
+The aunt's face softened again. And truly the boy was a pleasant object
+for her eyes to rest upon. He was very fair as to hair and complexion,
+though his eyes were dark and wistful; he was an extremely pretty child.
+
+'Yes,' she said more cordially than she had yet spoken. 'He is like
+Frank, but he has his mother's eyes.'
+
+Again the feeling of relief stole over the young man.
+
+'She can't be so cold as she seems,' he reflected. 'I fancy I could get
+on with her, and I daresay Francie and Eugene will. It is Jacinth I am
+anxious about.' And he glanced at the elder girl, as the thought passed
+through his mind. So far neither she nor her sister had spoken. Jacinth
+sat there with a grave, almost expressionless face, her lips compressed
+in a way which her uncle knew well. And suddenly he became aware of a
+curious thing. It almost made him smile. This was an undoubted
+resemblance between his elder niece and her aunt!
+
+'I wonder how that will work,' he thought. 'I wonder if it is only
+superficial or if it goes deeper? If so, I hope poor Jass will have a
+wider life than has evidently fallen to the lot of this good lady.' And
+then, as it struck him that they were all sitting silent in most
+constrained discomfort, he thrust aside his reflections and forced his
+attention to return to the present.
+
+'Perhaps I had better be looking up my quarters at the inn,' he said,
+rising. 'I found I could get up to town practically almost as early by
+the morning's express as by a night train. So if you will allow me, Miss
+Mildmay, I will look in first thing to-morrow for another glimpse of
+these little people.'
+
+'But you will return to dine--at least not to dine, but--well, call it
+high tea or supper, whichever you like,' said his hostess, cordially.
+'Unless, of course, you prefer'----
+
+Marmaduke stood irresolute. He was desperately afraid of annoying Miss
+Mildmay.
+
+'Oh no, of course not,' he began, 'but I'm'----
+
+A sudden impulse seized Jacinth. She felt as if she must do
+something--if she sat still a moment longer she would burst into tears.
+She sprang to her feet and caught her uncle's arm. 'Oh, _do_ come back,
+Marmy,' she said. 'You don't know.--Aunt Alison, do say he must.'
+
+'Of course he must,' said Miss Mildmay. 'I am not going out this evening
+as I usually do. I have given myself a holiday in honour of your
+arrival, so pray come back as soon as you have ordered your room at the
+_Swan_, Mr Denison,' And Marmaduke smilingly consented.
+
+This little incident seemed to have thawed them all.
+
+'I will show you your rooms now,' said Miss Mildmay, when, the young man
+had gone. 'You two girls are to be together of course, and Eugene's
+little room is on the next floor.'
+
+Eugene, who was following with his sister Frances, whose hand he held,
+here squeezed it while he looked up in her face with anxiety.
+
+'Never mind,' she whispered. 'It's quite a little house compared to
+granny's, Eugene. You can't be far away. Very likely you'll be just
+overhead, and so if you want us in the night you can knock on the
+floor.'
+
+This seemed to satisfy the child, and the sight of his room, which
+though small was bright and cheerful, went still further to reassure
+him.
+
+'It will be nice to have a room of my own,' he said bravely. 'At
+granny's I slept in the night nursery with nurse.'
+
+'But you're a big boy now, you know,' said Jacinth, hastily, as if
+afraid of her aunt thinking him babyish.
+
+'Yes, of course,' agreed Miss Mildmay. 'I cannot promise you that you
+will find everything here the same as at your poor grandmother's. You
+always called her your grandmother, I suppose,' she went on, turning to
+Jacinth, 'though she was not really any blood relation.'
+
+The girl's lip quivered, but she controlled herself. 'We--we never
+thought about that,' she said. 'And then, of course, she was Uncle
+Manny's own mother, and we are so _very_ fond of him.'
+
+'Ah! he seems a nice young fellow, but so very young, and Mrs Denison
+was quite elderly. But she was more than middle-aged when she married,
+of course,' said Miss Mildmay.
+
+There was a slight, almost indescribable tone of condescension or
+disparagement in her voice, the reason of which I will explain. Both the
+girls were conscious of it, but it affected them in different ways.
+
+'Ye--es,' began Jacinth, hesitatingly, 'I know'----
+
+But Frances here broke in eagerly.
+
+'You are not explaining it properly to Aunt Alison, Jacinth. You know
+you're not. It wasn't only or principally for Uncle Marmy's sake that we
+loved dear granny. She was as sweet and good to us as she could be, and
+I'd have loved her awfully if she hadn't been--been any relation--at
+all;' but here the little girl ignominiously burst into tears.
+
+Miss Mildmay the elder glanced at her with scant sympathy.
+
+'I suppose she is over-tired, poor child,' she said to Jacinth. 'I will
+leave you to take off your things. Come down as soon as you can; you
+will feel better when you have had something to eat;' and she turned to
+go. They were standing in the girls' own room. But at the door she
+paused a moment. 'Shall I send up Phebe?' she said. 'That is the young
+girl I have engaged to wait upon you three. No, perhaps,' as her eyes
+fell on the still weeping Frances, 'it would be better to wait a little.
+Just take off your outdoor things. The trunks will be brought up while
+we are at tea, and then Phebe can begin to unpack.'
+
+She was scarcely out of hearing when Jacinth turned upon her sister.
+'I'm ashamed of you, Frances,' she said. 'Crying and sobbing like that,
+when you can see Aunt Alison isn't the sort of person to have any
+patience with silliness! Such a beginning to have made! And it isn't as
+if it was really about--about poor granny.' Here it must be owned her
+voice faltered. 'It was just that you were vexed with me.'
+
+'Well, and if I was,' replied Frances, drying her eyes and swallowing
+down her sobs. 'I don't like you to speak coldly of granny, for you did
+love her in your heart, I know, dearly. Aunt Alison looks down upon her,
+just because she wasn't quite--no, she _was_ quite a lady--but because
+she wasn't at all grand. And there's some excuse for her, because she
+didn't know her. But for us it would be _too_ horrid, when she was so
+good to us, even all those years she was so suffering and feeble. And
+then, for Uncle Manny's sake too.'
+
+'There now,' said Jacinth, not sorry to turn aside the reproach which
+conscience told her she had merited. 'You are saying the very thing you
+blamed me for--but truly, Francie, I didn't mean anything not nice to
+dear granny. I felt that Aunt Alison couldn't _understand_ what she was;
+and--and--it was no use seeming to take up the cudgels for our other
+relations the moment we came.'
+
+There was something in this, and no doubt a reluctance to discuss their
+grandmother with a stranger, and a prejudiced stranger, had mingled with
+Jacinth's desire to propitiate her aunt. So the sisters kissed and made
+friends, and when a few minutes afterwards they went down-stairs, and Mr
+Denison made his appearance again, the traces of tears had all but
+vanished from Frances's fair face.
+
+The two girls had been five years in England, little Eugene three; and
+during all these years, owing to exceptional circumstances and unlucky
+coincidences, they had never seen their parents. Nor was there any
+prospect of their doing so for three or four years to come. All this
+time had been spent under the care of their mother's step-mother, Mrs
+Denison, whose recent death had thrown them again, in a sense, on the
+world, and the best Colonel Mildmay could arrange for them was the
+somewhat unwilling guardianship of his elder sister Alison. She was an
+honourable and well-meaning woman, who had found her own sphere in
+active good works among the poor of Thetford. But she did not understand
+or care for children, and the charge of her nieces and nephew she only
+accepted as a duty.
+
+'I will do my best,' she wrote to the parents in India, 'but I dare not
+promise that it will be all you could wish. Still there are undoubtedly
+advantages here, in the way of schools, and the place is healthy. I will
+give what time I can to the children, but I cannot give up all my
+present responsibilities and occupations. You would not expect it. I
+fear the children may find my rules strict, for--owing to Mrs Denison's
+long ill-health and peculiarly gentle character--I think it scarcely to
+be expected that they are not somewhat spoilt.'
+
+She was right. It scarcely _was_ to be expected. It was marvellous that
+the girls and their little brother were not more 'spoilt.' Mrs Denison
+adored them, and could see no fault in them. Nor was she in any sense a
+clever or strong-minded woman. Of inferior birth to her late
+husband--the daughter of merely the village doctor--she had married him
+when she was nearly forty, making the kindest of stepmothers to his only
+child, now Mrs Mildmay; loving her in no sense less devotedly than she
+loved her own son, Marmaduke, the child of Mr Denison's old age--the
+Uncle Marmy, who was more like an elder brother than an uncle to the
+little trio sent home to his mother's care.
+
+But Mrs Denison was so essentially _good_, so single-minded and
+truthful, that her influence, even her too great unselfishness for their
+sake, had not radically injured her grandchildren. Her death had been
+preceded by a slow and gradual decline--none of those about her
+suspected the extent of the sufferings she hid so resolutely under a
+calm and cheerful exterior--and the end came gently with no bitterness
+or shock. Even to Marmaduke, though he loved her devotedly, she had
+seemed more like a grandmother than a mother, and her gradual enforced
+withdrawal from the family life had prepared him and the girls for what
+had to be.
+
+Perhaps the full realisation of their loss only came home to them, when
+the question of where they were all to go was decided by a letter from
+Colonel Mildmay, telling of his arrangement with his sister, and by
+Marmaduke's receiving orders to start almost at once for India.
+
+'I'm glad they didn't come before,' he said. 'If only I could take you
+all out with me;' for his regiment was that of his brother-in-law.
+
+'Yes indeed--if only!' said Jacinth, as she said again that first
+evening at Thetford.
+
+Stannesley, the Denisons' old home, was to be let. Though not a very
+large place, it was expensive to keep up, and Marmaduke was somewhat
+short of ready money, and not as yet ambitious of the quiet life of a
+country squire. His father had been easy-going, his mother no specially
+endowed woman of business; things had suffered, and rents had gone down.
+It would need some years' economy before the young man could retire to
+live in the old liberal way. But he did not mind; the world was before
+him, and he loved his profession.
+
+That first evening in Market Square Place passed on the whole more
+cheerfully than might have been expected. Miss Mildmay was practically
+kind--more self-denying than her guests realised, for out of
+consideration for them, she had renounced attendance that evening at a
+committee meeting of which she was the ruling spirit, and those who
+knew her well would have seen that to sit for two or three hours 'with
+her hands before her,' in her drawing-room, made her feel sadly like a
+fish out of water.
+
+But the four new-comers were too preoccupied to observe her
+restlessness; the younger ones were tired too, and anxious for them to
+feel as cheerful as possible the next day, their uncle left early,
+advising Miss Mildmay to send them all off to bed.
+
+'I am not leaving till twelve o'clock after all,' he said, 'so, if you
+have no objection I'll call in about half-past ten, and take these three
+young people a walk. I'd like to see something of Thetford: its looks so
+pretty.'
+
+It was something to look forward to--another glimpse of the dear kind
+boyish face. And with the thought of the next morning's walk together,
+in their mind, the girls went to bed, and got up in good time for their
+aunt's early breakfast, trying to look and feel as cheerful as they
+could.
+
+Marmaduke was more than punctual. It was barely ten o'clock when he rang
+at the door and came in briskly, saying it was such a lovely day he had
+thought it a pity to lose any of it.
+
+It could not be anything but a sad walk, though they all tried to
+pretend it was not, and Uncle Marmy talked very fast and made all sorts
+of jokes, which Jacinth and Frances saw through, though they made Eugene
+laugh.
+
+'Thetford's a very pretty place, really,' said Jacinth. 'There are
+lovely walks on every side, I should think. Do you suppose we shall go
+walks with the girls at our school, Uncle Marmy, or by ourselves with
+Phebe?'
+
+'By yourselves, I should think. You are only to be at school till one
+o'clock,' he replied.
+
+'Oh, that will be much nicer,' said both the girls; 'we shall explore
+the neighbourhood. Oh what a pretty lane!' for they were just then
+passing Robin Redbreast corner. 'Do let us go down it a little way,
+uncle,' added Frances, 'I see what looks like a gate into a garden.'
+
+And a moment or two later, the four stood, breathless with admiration,
+in front of the great gates in the high ivy-covered wall I have
+described.
+
+The clear spring sunshine was falling brightly on the quaint old house;
+what of the garden could be seen was exquisitely neat and trim; Robin
+Redbreast was looking charming.
+
+'What a _delicious_ old house!' said Jacinth. 'I wonder who lives here?'
+and she gave a little sigh. 'Now, Uncle Marmy, wouldn't it be perfectly
+lovely if papa's time was out, and he and mamma had come home and we
+were all going to live here--just _fancy_!'
+
+'It's awfully pretty,' said Marmaduke, 'but when your father's time's up
+I want you all to come back to live at Stannesley with me.'
+
+Jacinth laughed.
+
+'No, that wouldn't do,' she said. 'You'd be getting married. No, it
+would be much the nicest for us to live here and you at Stannesley, and
+for us to pay each other lovely visits. Of course we'd always be
+together at Christmas and times like that. And your wife must be very,
+_very_ nice--like a sort of elder sister to us, you know, and'----
+
+'My darlings,' said poor Marmy, to whom it had suddenly occurred to look
+at his watch, 'time's up--or just about it. We must hurry back.'
+
+'Let's say good-bye here,' said Frances. 'Let's kiss you here, darling
+uncle, not before Aunt Alison in her drawing-room. And, oh, I _will_ try
+not to cry.'
+
+So it came to pass that almost their first memory of their new home was
+associated for the three children with Robin Redbreast, the old house in
+the lane. Often as they passed it, it always brought back to them Uncle
+Marmy's sunburnt face and kind eyes, and again they seemed to hear his
+'Good-bye, my darlings, good-bye,' which he strove hard to utter without
+letting them hear the break in his usually hearty and cheery voice.
+
+Half-an-hour later he was gone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE OLD LADY.
+
+
+It was six months now since the arrival at the house in Market Square
+Place. Mr Denison had been long with the regiment at----No, it does not
+specially matter where it was in India. The sisters got letters from
+him, as well as from their mother, by almost every mail, and in each he
+repeated the same thing--that he had never in his life found himself a
+person of so much consequence as Colonel and Mrs Mildmay considered him,
+seeing that he could give them direct news and description of their
+three children. And on their side, this seemed to make their parents
+more real and to draw them nearer to Jacinth and Frances, increasing
+more and more the intense longing for their return.
+
+It is autumn, a pleasant season in this part of the country--really
+pleasanter perhaps, though one is reluctant to allow it, than the
+lovely, fascinating, capriciously joyous spring--and it is a Friday.
+Jacinth and Frances Mildmay are walking home from school, carrying their
+little bag of books. For Saturday is a whole holiday--no going to school
+that is to say--so, naturally, some lessons must be learnt at home for
+Monday.
+
+'Aren't you glad to think to-morrow's Saturday, Jass?' said Frances. 'If
+only Aunt Alison would let us stay in bed half-an-hour later on Saturday
+mornings, it _would_ be nice.'
+
+'You lazy little thing!' said Jacinth, 'no, I don't think it would be
+nice at all. I'd rather get up even earlier than usual on a holiday, and
+feel we have the whole long day before us. It's one of the things I
+admire Aunt Alison for--that she's so punctual and regular; we'd _never_
+have been in time at school every morning, Francie, if our home had
+still been at poor granny's.'
+
+'I don't like you to say "poor" granny,' said Frances, rather irritably.
+'Say "dear" granny. And Jacinth, whether it's true or not that in some
+ways we were rather spoilt and--and--not methodical and all that, at
+Stannesley, I wish you'd _never_ say it to Aunt Alison. She's quite
+ready enough to be down on all the ways there.'
+
+'If ever I've said anything of the kind,' said Jacinth, 'it's only been
+as a sort of excuse for _you_; for you know, Frances, you were
+dreadfully unpunctual and careless in little ways when we first came,
+though I do think you're getting better.'
+
+'Much obliged,' said Frances, rather snappishly, for she was a
+quick-tempered girl. 'It's no thanks to Aunt Alison if I am. It's simply
+that I see it is right to try and be more careful, and--partly too for
+your sake, Jass. But it isn't for love of Aunt Alison. I don't love her.
+I'd have--what wouldn't I have done for granny or Uncle Marmy?--they
+loved us and Aunt Alison doesn't. She's good, in one way I daresay she's
+very good, but it's all duty. Why, just think how she leaves us to
+ourselves, once she's ordered our meals and told us what we are to do.
+Evening after evening we're alone. _That_'s not loving us.'
+
+'I think you should be very glad indeed that she trusts us,' said
+Jacinth. 'It's much better as it is than to have her fussing after us
+out of duty, as you say. It would be very uncomfortable for us to feel
+that she was always thinking we interrupted all the things she has to
+do. She told me a while ago that it was the greatest possible relief to
+her to find she _could_ trust us, and that having us interfered with her
+life much less than she expected.'
+
+'Oh, _I_ don't want any more of her,' said Frances hastily. 'Don't think
+that. But you must allow it's scarcely like having a home; sometimes I
+really think I would rather be boarders at school, do you know, Jass? It
+would be a good deal jollier. Don't you think so?'
+
+'No, indeed,' said Jacinth, very decidedly. 'I certainly wouldn't like
+it at all. School's all very well for lessons, but I should hate to be
+so tied up. I like being independent. Of course Aunt Alison knows we're
+to be trusted, but if we were at school we should have to ask leave for
+every single thing we wanted to do. And think of poor little Eugene
+without us.'
+
+'Oh, it was only an idea,' said Frances. 'I didn't really mean it
+seriously. But I like some of the girls very much, especially the
+Harpers; don't you like the Harpers exceedingly, Jass? I've liked school
+itself ever so much better since the two younger ones came. Of course
+Camilla Harper wasn't much good to us, as she was quite one of the
+biggest ones. But I think they're all nice. I _love_ Bessie and
+Margaret.'
+
+'Yes,' her sister agreed. 'I think they're very nice. But they're rather
+babyish; you see they've always lived at home, and never had to depend
+on themselves at all. I think they're not at all rich.'
+
+'That makes them all the nicer, _I_ think,' said Frances. 'I don't know
+if it's always the way, but it certainly is at school--the richest
+girls aren't nearly as nice as some of the others.'
+
+'Oh, that's nonsense,' said Jacinth. 'It may just happen that some of
+those we know to be richer are--well, rather commoner--but you can't
+make any rule about it.'
+
+'I wish Aunt Alison would let us ask the Harpers to tea, sometimes,'
+said Frances. 'I'm almost sure Miss Scarlett would let them come.'
+
+'But I'm _more_ sure that Aunt Alison wouldn't like anything of the
+kind,' said Jacinth, and even she sighed a little. 'So it's no use
+thinking of it. I hope you're prepared for a good long walk this
+afternoon, Francie. It's a lovely day, and we've been so little out
+lately. We needn't do our lessons till to-morrow. Ah, there's Eugene!'
+as at that moment the boy came flying down the street to meet them. 'How
+have you got on to-day, old man?' she said, fondly. 'Would you like to
+go a good long walk this afternoon?'
+
+Eugene went to a small boys' school, a few doors only from his aunt's.
+He was certainly the least to be pitied in the children's somewhat
+lonely life, for his sisters were devoted to him, and their affection
+made up to him for the absence of other love. Yet this sounds too severe
+on Miss Mildmay, who in her own undemonstrative way _did_ love her
+nephew and nieces. But she had mapped out her life on lines independent
+of home ties, and she had not the breadth and nobility of nature to
+recognise that the charge unexpectedly laid upon her was as much a
+heaven-sent mission as the labours among the poor, which she fulfilled
+with such devotion and enthusiastic self-denial. Her 'duty,' her dry
+duty, she performed to the children, but it never entered her mind or
+imagination that more than this could, under the circumstances, be
+demanded of her.
+
+'Oh yes,' Eugene replied. 'I'm game for as many miles as you girls, any
+way.'
+
+His sisters burst out laughing. Their seven-years' old brother was
+developing fast.
+
+'Where shall we go to, then?' said Jacinth, as they rang at their own
+door. 'I hope Phebe will be "game" too, Eugene, for we can't go without
+her, and she doesn't love very long walks.'
+
+But Phebe proved to be in an unusually enterprising mood. She was a very
+good-natured girl, honest and well-principled, her only important fault
+being laziness, which her young charges did their best to conceal from
+Miss Mildmay.
+
+'Aunt Alison would _certainly_ send her away, if she knew how late Phebe
+sometimes calls us in the morning,' Jacinth used to say. 'There's
+nothing that would vex her more than laziness, and it is very tiresome.
+But then, very likely, she'd get us some prim maid that would be
+ill-natured and crabbed, and perhaps not _really_ as good as Phebe.'
+
+So, though they shook the terrors of a probable dismissal over the
+delinquent's head, they made no further complaint. And every time Phebe
+had been specially in fault, she was so exceedingly penitent that she
+almost persuaded her young mistresses as well as herself that it would
+never happen again.
+
+She had been very late that Friday morning, and in consequence was now
+doubly on the alert. Not only did she profess herself equal to walking
+ten miles if the young ladies wished it, but she undertook to carry
+Master Eugene pick-a-back, should he feel tired, a proposal which did
+not find favour in Master Eugene's eyes, though her next suggestion that
+she should escort the party to a lovely wood they had not yet visited,
+'round by Aldersmere' was received with acclamations.
+
+'We've always wanted to go along the Aldersmere road,' said Frances.
+'You remember, Jass, we went a tiny bit up it that morning--that first
+morning with dear old Marmy.'
+
+'Yes,' said Jacinth, with a sigh, 'that first and last day.'
+
+'Is it the way along by Uncle Marmy's gates?' asked Eugene.
+
+Phebe did not understand him, but Jacinth explained.
+
+'He means past that lovely old house, Robin Redbreast, you know,' she
+said.
+
+'We could come home by that lane; we can get into it by the other end
+and come out at Robin Redbreast corner on to the high-road,' said Phebe;
+'it's a very pretty way indeed, though it's a long walk,' her voice
+sounding rather doleful.
+
+'Phebe's thinking better of it,' said Frances laughing. 'Ah well, if you
+don't want to go a long walk, you'd better tell Aunt Alison that you
+can't stand the hard work here--so late in bed, and up so _dreadfully_
+early in the morning.'
+
+The maid's face flushed scarlet.
+
+'Miss Frances!' she began reproachfully.
+
+Jacinth looked annoyed. In spite of her defence of her aunt's system and
+her own love of independence and self-confidence, she did feel conscious
+that the three of them were left in some ways too much to themselves:
+her sister's tone was not quite what a young lady's should be in
+speaking to a servant.
+
+'Frances,' she said. 'I think it's very bad taste to joke about serious
+things, and being too late nearly every morning is a serious thing.'
+
+'I wasn't joking,' Frances replied.
+
+'Well, say no more about it. We'd better start if we're going to. Phebe,
+do you think there's any chance of cook's giving us some cake, or even
+some bread-and-butter, to take with us?'
+
+Phebe shook her head.
+
+'I'm afraid not, Miss Jacinth,' she replied. 'She'd only complain to
+Miss Mildmay; it's best not to ask.'
+
+'And I really can't afford any more pennies for buns,' said Jacinth. 'We
+must trust to getting a good tea when we come home.'
+
+'Will Aunt Alison be in for tea?' said Frances. 'Oh no--it's Friday. I
+forgot,' with a distinct note of satisfaction in her voice.
+
+'So there'll be nobody to say we're greedy if we do eat a great lot,'
+said Eugene, with satisfaction still less disguised.
+
+Friday was one of Miss Alison Mildmay's busiest days, as she went out
+immediately after breakfast and did not return till the children were
+about going to bed. They had had dinner by themselves, and were now in
+the little room, half schoolroom, half nursery, appropriated to their
+use, on the same floor as the sisters' bedroom.
+
+'Do let us go,' said Jacinth, impatiently, 'and don't even talk of being
+greedy, Eugene; it's not nice.'
+
+Notwithstanding these little elements of discord before they started,
+the walk turned out a great success. It was a delicious day, to begin
+with, and lovely autumn weather is no doubt more soothing in its effect
+on both old and young than that of any other season. The little party
+stepped out bravely; the four miles to Aldersmere seemed only half the
+real distance, and the place itself, when they reached it, would have
+rewarded a much greater amount of exertion.
+
+It was a little lake, lying in a hollow; the trees, from which came its
+name, growing almost into the water. There was a curious charm about the
+intense loneliness of the place, none the less that it was not actually
+very far removed from the haunts of men. The pool was said in the
+neighbourhood to be exceedingly deep, and the dark still water looked
+mysterious enough to be so; but then this is said of every pond or lake
+of romantic appearance in all parts of the country, just as every
+tumble-down ruin or gloomy deserted house is sure to have the name of
+being haunted.
+
+At one side there was a little clearing and a tempting stretch of
+velvety-looking grass, disfigured, however, by blackened patches where
+gipsy-fires, amateur or professional, had recently been lighted.
+
+'It would be a jolly place for a picnic,' said Frances. 'I wonder if
+it's picnickers who've been here, or gipsies.'
+
+'Real gipsies choose opener places generally,' said Jacinth. 'Still this
+would be a very cosy place in hot weather, but I suspect it's only been
+picnics. Let's remember it for next summer, Francie, and try to coax
+Aunt Alison to let us bring our dinner or at least our tea with us one
+nice hot day.'
+
+'It wouldn't be much fun all by ourselves,' said Frances. 'If we could
+ask the Harpers to come too some holiday, _that_ would be fun.'
+
+'Oh how you tease about the Harpers!' replied Jacinth impatiently. 'I
+daresay you'll have quarrelled with them long before next summer, as you
+did with the Beckinghams.'
+
+'Jacinth, it's very unkind of you to say that,' said Frances,
+indignantly. 'I _didn't_ quarrel with the Beckinghams, only you wouldn't
+have had me stand Priscilla saying that papa and mamma can't care for
+us much if they leave us all these years without troubling to come home
+to see us.'
+
+'It was very impertinent,' said the elder sister, 'but I think you make
+friends too quickly. You told Priscilla Beckingham our whole history
+almost the first day we were at school. None of the girls would say such
+a thing as that to _me_.'
+
+Frances was on the brink of a still more indignant reply, when
+Phebe--one of whose best points was a very sweet temper, which made her
+always ready to avert a storm if she could--broke in, just in time.
+
+'Miss Jacinth,' she said, 'I think we should be turning towards home.
+We've been here longer than you'd think, and Master Eugene will be
+getting tired.'
+
+'I'm not a bit tired,' said the little boy, 'but I'll tell you what I
+am, or what I'm going to be, and that's awfully nungry. Talking of
+bringing our dinner or tea out with us next summer has put it into my
+head. If even I'd a bit of bread, I'd eat it.'
+
+'Come on, then,' said Jacinth, encouragingly, 'the sooner we go, the
+sooner we'll be home. And we can have tea the minute we get in, can't
+we, Phebe, even if it's not quite five o'clock.'
+
+'Certainly, miss, I don't think there'll be any difficulty about that,'
+said Phebe, who was pretty well persuaded in her own mind that it would
+be quite the orthodox tea-time before they could reach Market Square
+Place.
+
+The first part of the way was pleasant walking, even though they were
+beginning to be just a little tired, for it was over level ground; but
+the next two miles were stiffer, for they were almost entirely up-hill,
+which had naturally made the outstart down-hill, an easy commencement
+of the expedition.
+
+Eugene was soon rather done up, though he would not hear of Phebe's
+carrying him.
+
+'If it wasn't so climby, I wouldn't mind,' he said, 'but my legs does
+get so tired of always shortening themselves up.'
+
+'Never mind, Master Eugene,' said the maid; 'we'll be at the back end of
+the Redbreast Lane, directly, and after that, there's no more climbing.'
+
+'And once there we shall be less than a mile from home,' said Jacinth.
+'Oh Francie, do you remember how nice it was at Stannesley with the old
+donkey, whenever we were going a long walk?'
+
+'And granny watching for us at home with tea in her own sitting-room for
+a treat, and those _exquisite_ little scones,' said Frances. 'Oh don't
+speak of it.'
+
+'No, please don't,' said Eugene, 'for it makes me nungrier and nungrier.
+And--I'm afraid I'm beginning to be _firsty_ too, and that's worser than
+being nungry. It always says so in shipwreck stories. They read us one
+at school the other day, and it said so.'
+
+'Eugene, how silly you are!' said Frances, 'as if your feeling a little
+hungry and a tiny atom thirsty could compare with dreadful sufferings
+like sailors have.'
+
+'And really, Eugene, considering you're past seven, you should try to
+speak better,' added Jacinth. 'I hope you don't say "nungry and firsty"
+at school. How they must laugh at you!'
+
+'They don't then,' said the little boy, 'and they don't need to. I'm
+very pertickler at school, and I always say 'ungry and wursty properly.
+But it's a great trouble to remember, and I like a rest from being
+pertickler at home. You needn't be so cross. Why, there's a boy at
+school, older than me, who calls the sun the "fun"--he does really.'
+
+'Well, I know papa and mamma would like you to speak well,' said
+Jacinth, 'so you should try for their sake. "Ungry" is worse than
+"nungry"; you mustn't get into the way of dropping your "h's," whatever
+you do. That matters more than baby talking; it's _vulgar_.'
+
+'It's very unkind of you to call me vulgar,' said Eugene, in a very
+plaintive voice, 'and I'll tell you what, Jass, I'm getting _so_
+fir--wursty, I mean, that I just can't go all the way back wifout a
+drink.'
+
+Jacinth and Frances looked about them in despair; Eugene was a very good
+little fellow generally, but he was rather delicate and nervous, and
+notwithstanding the dignity of his seven years, they knew by experience
+that once he was fairly started on a fit of crying, it was far from easy
+to predict when it would be over. They were now in the long lane known
+as Robin Redbreast Lane, or the Redbreast Lane; another quarter of a
+mile at most would bring them out on to the high-road, where they were
+at no great distance from Thetford.
+
+'I'm afraid it's been too long a walk for him,' said Jacinth. 'It's such
+a pity, for it's so good for him to have a nice country walk, now that
+he goes to school every day.'
+
+'I'm not tired,' said Eugene, 'I'm only firsty now; I can wait for being
+nungry till tea-time, quite well, but I must have somefin to drink.'
+
+'Is there any cottage along this lane, that we could ask for a glass of
+water at?' Jacinth inquired of Phebe.
+
+But the girl shook her head.
+
+'There's no cottage nor house of any kind between this and the
+high-road, except the Robin Redbreast itself,' said she. 'And that's not
+a place where one could ask for a glass of water even. The old lady's
+very stiff in her ways, and the servants are just the same.'
+
+'Oh no,' said Jacinth, 'of course it wouldn't do to ask for anything at
+a _gentleman's_ house. You must just bear it, Eugene dear, and perhaps
+we'll pass some cottage when we leave the lane; though I'm not very fond
+of drinking water at any cottage--one's never sure of its being good.'
+
+'There's the drinking fountain just outside the town; I daresay Master
+Eugene can get along till we come to that,' said Phebe, encouragingly.
+
+And for a few moments nothing more was heard of the little boy's woes.
+He plodded along silently, till just as they were approaching 'Uncle
+Marmy's gate' as they called it, he burst out again.
+
+'I _must_ have a drink, Jass. I tell you I must. Let me go and ask for
+one at this house. It wouldn't be naughty. I _can't_ go any furder.'
+
+The girls hesitated. It went very much against the grain with them--with
+Jacinth especially--to let the boy go up to the front door of this
+strange house to ask for the boon of even a glass of water. And yet it
+wouldn't do to let him go to the back-door, 'as if we were beggars,'
+said Frances.
+
+'Would it be better to send Phebe? Well, perhaps that would be best.
+Phebe, will you go with Master Eugene--to the front door? But Eugene,
+you are really very tiresome,' said the elder girl.
+
+'I _must_ have a drink, Jacinth. It's not my fault. I can't help being
+firsty,' said the boy, in his doleful tone. 'If you say I mustn't, I'll
+_try_ to bear it, but'----
+
+At this moment an unexpected turn was given to the state of affairs by
+the gate, a few feet in front of them, being pushed open, to allow some
+one to come out.
+
+The sound interrupted the children's discussion; they all looked towards
+the gate.
+
+The 'some one' was an elderly, more correctly speaking, perhaps, an old
+lady. She was not _very_ tall, but she was thin, and, considering her
+years, wonderfully erect. As she stood there at the gate, her thick
+black silk skirt trailing a little, a large fleecy white shawl thrown
+round her head and shoulders--her bright dark eyes glancing out all the
+darker and brighter from the contrast with her snowy hair and
+draperies--she looked both striking and stately. Not a person to take
+liberties with, assuredly.
+
+Phebe shook in her shoes. As I have said, there was a considerable
+amount of awe felt in Thetford for the somewhat mysterious inhabitant of
+Robin Redbreast, and Phebe was a Thetford girl.
+
+As for the young Mildmays, they stood motionless, not overawed, but both
+impressed and startled, gazing at the unexpected apparition in a way
+which Jacinth afterwards hoped to herself had not seemed like ill-bred
+staring.
+
+But the lady was looking at them too. She had a stick in her hand--a
+polished black-wood stick, with a gold knob at the top--and for the
+first moment or two she stood as if leaning on it. Then she raised it
+with a little gesture, as if inviting them to come nearer.
+
+'What was that name I heard you say just now?' she began. 'I heard you
+from the other side of my garden-wall. I have quick ears, though I am
+old.'
+
+The mention of ears was unfortunate. Somehow it recalled the story of
+Red Riding-hood and her grandmother to Eugene; tired and excited
+already, he grew perfectly white and caught hold of his elder sister's
+dress. And for a moment or two the presence of mind of the whole party
+seemed to have deserted them. No one spoke.
+
+The old lady tapped her stick impatiently on the hard gravel.
+
+'Don't you understand me?' she said. 'You were talking fast enough just
+now. The little boy was complaining of being thirsty. I think it was he
+that said the--the name. What is the matter with him? does he think I am
+going to eat him?'
+
+This last was addressed to Frances, now standing a little in front of
+the others, partly with an instinct of coming between the terrified
+little boy and those keen, searching eyes.
+
+'My brother is very tired--and very thirsty,' she said. 'It was he that
+was speaking, and I daresay he said our names. Mine is Frances, but my
+sister's is Jacinth. Perhaps you heard that name: it is very uncommon.'
+
+'Jacinth!' repeated the old lady, '_Jacinth!_'
+
+Her voice sounded far away and dreamy. A queer feeling came over the two
+girls, as if by a strange chance they had strayed unawares into some
+secret chamber, some long-closed deserted house; or as if a vague
+momentary glimpse into some long-ago story, some old romance, of the
+distant past had been suddenly opened to them.
+
+They could not themselves have put this feeling into words; it came to
+them, I think, in the subtle way in which sometimes we are conscious of
+the unexpressed emotions and sensations of those near us. Nevertheless
+they stood silent, surprised and almost awe-struck. Then the old lady
+seemed to rouse herself: with a little effort she came back into the
+present, as it were.
+
+'Yes,' she said, 'that was the name I heard. Are you Jacinth?' she went
+on, addressing the elder girl, and as she fixed her eyes on Jacinth, a
+little tremor passed over her. 'I think,' she whispered to herself, but
+the children caught the words, 'I think--I wonder if it is fancy--I
+almost think I see a likeness.'
+
+Jacinth was tall and well grown for her age. She was not _pretty_--not
+as pretty as fair, fluffy-haired Frances--but there was promise of more
+than prettiness in her almost severely regular features, and her
+colouring when one examined her carefully, was good too. Her hair a rich
+dark brown, of a shade one hardly does justice to at the first careless
+glance; her complexion healthily pale, with a tinge of sun-burning,
+perhaps a few freckles; her eyes clear, strong, hazel eyes, with long
+softening lashes. The whole was spoilt by a want of light--of the
+sunshine one loves to see in a young face--the expression was too grave
+and impassive; there was the suggestion of future hardness, unless time
+should mellow instead of stiffening and accentuating the already
+somewhat rigid lines.
+
+It must have been this expression, more than any actual resemblance in
+feature, which had made Marmaduke Denison smile to himself at the
+curious likeness which had struck him between Jacinth and her Aunt
+Alison.
+
+The girl looked up in the old lady's face, and something--the oddity of
+the whole situation, some indefinite sympathy which unconsciously sought
+for an outlet--made her smile. Jacinth's smile was charming. Already to
+her thin young face it gave the roundness and bloom it wanted--every
+feature softened and the clear observant eyes grew sweet.
+
+A faint flush--the mere suggestion of colour which in the aged often
+denotes intense emotion--rose to Lady Myrtle Goodacre's face, as she met
+Jacinth's smile. She scarcely waited for the girl's reply to her
+question.
+
+'Yes,' she went on, 'it must be. I cannot be mistaken. My dear,' she
+added, 'I want to ask you several things, but this poor little fellow is
+tired--and thirsty, didn't you say? Will you come in for a moment or
+two? Not farther than the porch, if you prefer; perhaps you are in haste
+to get home, and I must see you again.'
+
+She turned and walked quickly back towards the house--the door of which
+stood open--along the straight smooth gravel path leading from the gate;
+the children following her, without seeming quite to know why, and Phebe
+bringing up the rear with a face which looked as if she were doubting
+whether they were about to enter an ogre's castle or a white cats'
+palace.
+
+'Miss Jacinth, Miss Frances,' she panted in vague remonstrance. But they
+took no notice.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+TWO JACINTHS.
+
+
+The porch was almost like a room. It had cushioned seats all round, a
+rustic table at one side, and stained glass, tiny-paned windows. The old
+lady hurried through it, looking back over her shoulder to say, 'Sit
+down for a minute or two. I will order some milk for the little boy,'
+and nothing loth, the children did so, though in silence.
+
+Then Eugene glanced round in triumph.
+
+'There now,' he said, 'you see I was right. She doesn't mind a bit. I
+shouldn't wonder if she brought us out cakes too.'
+
+'_Hush_,' said Frances, 'you needn't talk like that, Eugene. You were as
+frightened as anything when she first came out. And how can you be so
+greedy?'
+
+'Hush,' said Jacinth in her turn, and still more authoritatively. 'Don't
+you hear? she's coming back.'
+
+The door standing slightly ajar was pushed open more widely, disclosing
+a trim-looking maid, carrying a tray with a large glass jug full of
+milk, and--joyful sight!--a plate of small brown crisp-looking cakes.
+Eugene's eyes glistened, though, poor little chap, it was more at the
+sight of the milk than the cakes, for he was very thirsty indeed. But he
+sat still, to outward appearance patiently enough, for just behind the
+maid came the old lady again, looking quite eager and excited, a bright
+spot of colour on each cheek.
+
+'Put the tray on the little table,' she said. 'Yes, that will do. You
+need not stay;' and the trim maid disappeared again.
+
+Lady Myrtle poured out a glass of milk and gave it to Eugene.
+
+'Your sisters will excuse my attending to you first, I am sure,' she
+said. 'You are very thirsty, I know.--Now, will you two have some milk
+and some cake?' she went on, turning to Jacinth and Frances.
+
+Jacinth felt half inclined to refuse, but something in the old lady's
+manner made it difficult to do so. She did not seem accustomed to have
+even her suggestions disregarded, and her invitation was more like a
+command.
+
+'After your brother has finished his milk,' their hostess went on,
+'perhaps he would like to walk about the garden a little with your maid,
+or if he is tired, there is a nice arbour over there in the corner. I
+want to speak to you two a little. I have some questions to ask you, but
+I want you to understand that I will not invite you to come in till you
+have got leave from--from your parents or your guardians. When I was a
+child I would not have entered any stranger's house without leave, and I
+approve of strict ways of bringing up children.'
+
+The girls listened respectfully, making a little sign of assent. But
+Eugene's whole attention had been given to the milk and cakes. Now that
+his thirst was satisfied, he began to think about others, and for the
+first time found his voice.
+
+'Mayn't Phebe have some milk and cake, too, please?' he said. 'We've
+been a drefful long walk. I'm sure Phebe's firsty too.'
+
+Phebe blushed scarlet, but in spite of her terror, her good manners--and
+she was a specially good-mannered girl--did not forsake her.
+
+'Master Eugene, my dear,' she said quietly. 'You forget I am not a
+little young gentleman like you.--If I might take his glass and plate to
+the arbour, my lady, he would be very happy, and out of the way.'
+
+Lady Myrtle smiled benignly. She liked 'tact.'
+
+'Certainly, my good girl,' she said, 'and take a glass and some cakes
+for yourself too.--That is a nice-mannered girl,' she added to Jacinth
+and Frances. 'She is both modest and sensible.'
+
+'Yes,' said Jacinth, 'we like her very much. Aunt Alison got her for us
+before we came here.'
+
+Lady Myrtle's face grew grave.
+
+'Is Aunt Alison the relation you live with?' she asked. 'Is her name Mrs
+Alison? And where and with whom did you live before? Have you no
+parents? I am not asking out of curiosity, but because I think you must
+be related to a very dear friend of mine--now dead.' Here her breath
+seemed to catch her voice. 'I may be mistaken, but I do not think so.'
+
+'Our parents are in India,' said Jacinth. 'Our father is Colonel
+Mildmay, and Aunt Alison is his sister. Alison is her first name. We
+have only lived with her since our--grandmother, Mrs Denison, died.'
+
+'_Denison!_' repeated Lady Myrtle, 'I was sure of it. But _Mrs_ Denison?
+I cannot understand it. Are you not making a mistake, my dear? Are you
+sure that your grandmother was _Mrs_ Denison? Was she not'----
+
+'Mrs Denison was only our _step_-grandmother,' interrupted Jacinth,
+eagerly. Frances could not blame her now for explaining this! 'She was
+very good to us, but--she wasn't our own grandmother. _She_ died before
+we were born. She was mamma's mother, and I am called after her. She was
+Lady Jacinth Denison, and'----
+
+'I knew it,' exclaimed the old lady. 'And her name before she was
+married was'----
+
+Jacinth hesitated a little. It is sometimes rather confusing to remember
+relations so far back.
+
+'I know,' said Frances; 'it was More'----but here she too stopped.
+
+'Moreland?' said Lady Myrtle.
+
+The girls' faces cleared. Yes, that was it.
+
+'But the Christian name--"Jacinth"--satisfied me,' said the old lady.
+'The name, and your face, my dear,' to Jacinth herself. 'Thank you, for
+answering my questions. Perhaps I must not keep you any longer to-day,
+but I will write to your aunt--Miss Mildmay--Miss Alison Mildmay--I
+think I have heard of her at Thetford--and ask her to allow you to come
+to see me again very soon. If I keep you longer just now, she may be
+uneasy.'
+
+'Oh no,' said Frances, 'she won't be at home when we get back. It's one
+of the days she's out all day--till after we're in bed, generally.'
+
+'Dear me!' said Lady Myrtle, 'she must be a very busy person.'
+
+'Yes,' said Jacinth, 'she is. She is very, _very_ useful, I know. And
+one couldn't have expected her to give up all the things she'd been at
+so many years, all of a sudden, when we came. We don't mind, except that
+it seems a little lonely sometimes; but--I don't think Aunt Alison
+cares much for children or girls like us. She says she's got out of the
+way of it. But she's quite kind.'
+
+'You have a governess, I suppose?' asked Lady Myrtle.
+
+'No,' said Jacinth, 'we go every day but Saturday to Miss Scarlett's
+school.'
+
+She coloured a little as she said it, for she had an instinct that
+'school' for girls was hardly one of the things that her hostess had
+been accustomed to in _her_ youth, and notwithstanding Jacinth's
+decision of character, she was apt to be much influenced by the opinions
+and even prejudices of those about her. But still she knew that Miss
+Scarlett's was really a somewhat exceptional school.
+
+'To Miss Scarlett's,' repeated Lady Myrtle. 'I have heard of it. I
+believe it is very nice, but still--I prefer home education. But perhaps
+I should not say so. No doubt your parents and guardians have acted for
+the best. I should like you to tell Miss Alison Mildmay all I have asked
+you, and I will write to her. And in the meantime, that she may not
+think me too eccentric an old woman, pray tell her that I was--that your
+own grandmother--I like you to call her that--Lady Jacinth Moreland,
+afterwards Lady Jacinth Denison, and I, were the--yes, the very dearest
+of friends when we were young. It is possible that Miss Alison Mildmay
+may have heard my name from your mother. I think your mother--what is
+her name--"Eugenia," oh yes, I remember--I think your mother must have
+heard of me even in her childhood. My unmarried name was Harper, "Myrtle
+Harper;" your grandmother and I first took to each other, I think,
+because we had such uncommon names.'
+
+'Harper!' exclaimed Frances eagerly, 'there are some--what is it,
+Jacinth?--I mean Bessie and Margar'----
+
+'We must go,' said Jacinth, getting up, as she spoke. 'Frances, will you
+call Eugene? and'--turning to her hostess, 'thank you _very_ much for
+being so kind. And oh, if you will ask Aunt Alison to let us come again,
+it would be such a pleasure.'
+
+She raised her beautiful eyes to Lady Myrtle's face. A mist came over
+the keen bright old pair gazing at her in return. Partly perhaps to
+conceal this sudden emotion, Lady Myrtle stooped--for, tall though
+Jacinth was for her age, she was shorter than her grandmother's old
+friend--and kissed the soft up-turned cheek. 'My dear, you are _so_ like
+her--my Jacinth, sometimes,' she murmured, 'that it is almost too much
+for me.'
+
+Then a practical thought struck her.
+
+'You have not told me your address at Thetford,' she said. 'I had better
+have it, though no doubt Miss Alison Mildmay is well known in the
+place.'
+
+Jacinth gave it.
+
+'Number 9, Market Square Place,' she said.
+
+'Oh, I know where it is--a row of rather nice quaint old houses. Still,
+you must feel rather cooped up there sometimes, after Stannesley; was
+not that the Denisons' place? I was there once.'
+
+'We miss the grounds, and--yes, we miss a good many things,' said
+Jacinth simply.
+
+'Then I hope that Robin Redbreast will make up to you for some of them,'
+said Lady Myrtle. 'You know the name of my funny old house, I daresay?'
+
+'Oh yes,' said Francis, who had just rejoined them with Eugene and
+Phebe, 'we heard it the very first day. And we've always thought it
+lovely--both the house and the name. And we always pass by this way when
+we can, because of the gates. We call them 'Uncle Marmy's gates,' for
+it was here we said good-bye to him--good-bye _properly_, I mean.'
+
+'Kissing, and trying not to cry,' added Eugene, by way of explanation.
+
+Lady Myrtle seemed a little startled.
+
+'Uncle Marmy!' she repeated, 'that was your grandfather's name. I
+thought your mother was an only child.'
+
+'Yes,' said Jacinth, 'Uncle Marmaduke is not our real--not our full
+uncle. He is mamma's half-brother only.'
+
+'Oh,' exclaimed the old lady, 'now I understand.'
+
+'But we love him just as much--_quite_ as much as if he was our whole
+uncle,' said Frances, eagerly. 'He's perfectly--oh, he's as nice as he
+can _possibly_ be.'
+
+Lady Myrtle smiled, and gave a little pat to Frances's shining tangle of
+curly hair.
+
+'Good-bye then, my dears, for to-day,' she said.
+
+But she stood at the gate looking after them till they reached
+the corner of the lane, when some happy impulse made
+Jacinth--undemonstrative Jacinth--turn round and kiss her hand to the
+solitary old figure.
+
+'She's like a sort of a grandmother to us,' said Eugene. 'What a good
+thing,' with extreme self-complacency, 'I made you go in!--what a good
+thing I was'--after a great effort--'wursty!'
+
+But Jacinth's face was slightly clouded. She drew Frances a little apart
+from the others.
+
+'Frances,' she said severely, 'you must have more sense. How could you
+begin about those girls at school?' Lady Myrtle, if she does notice us,
+won't want to hear all the chatter and gossip of Miss Scarlett's. And
+it's such a common sort of thing, the moment you hear a name, to start
+up and say "Oh, _I_ know somebody called that," and then go on about
+your somebodies that no one wants to hear anything of.'
+
+Frances looked rather ashamed. She was barely two years younger than her
+sister, but on almost every subject--on questions of good manners and
+propriety above all--Jacinth's verdict was always accepted by her as
+infallible, though whence Jacinth had derived her knowledge on such
+points it would have been difficult to say. No one could have been less
+a woman of the world than the late Mrs Denison; indeed, the much misused
+but really sweet old word 'homely' might have been applied to her in its
+conventional sense without unkindly severity. And no life could have
+been simpler, though from that very fact not without a certain dignity
+of its own, than the family life at Stannesley, which was in reality the
+only training these girls had ever known.
+
+'I'm very sorry, Jass,' said the younger sister, penitently. 'It was
+only--it did seem funny that her name was Harper, when I am so fond of
+Bessie and Marg'----
+
+'I'm getting tired of your always talking of them,' said Jacinth. 'I
+daresay they're nice enough'----
+
+'And they're _quite_ ladies,' interposed Frances, 'though they are so
+very poor.'
+
+'I wouldn't look down on them for _that_; I should think you might know
+me better,' said Jacinth. 'We're not at all rich ourselves, though I
+suppose papa and mamma seem so in India with all the parties and things
+they're obliged to have. And I never said the girls weren't "quite
+ladies," as you say. But I know how it will end: in a little while you
+won't like Bessie and Margaret any better than Prissy Beckingham. You
+fly at people so at first.'
+
+'I don't think it will be that way this time,' said Frances in a tone
+of quiet conviction. 'There's something _different_ about the Harpers.'
+
+'It isn't a very uncommon name,' said Jacinth. 'There are all sorts of
+Harpers. Why, at Stannesley, the village schoolmaster's wife was called
+Harper before she married, I remember. And then Lord Elvedon's family
+name is Harper.'
+
+They had drawn nearer to the other two by this time, and Phebe overheard
+the last words.
+
+'If you please, Miss Jacinth, that is Lady Myrtle's family. Her father
+was Lord Elvedon, two or three back, and the Lord Elvedon now is a
+nephew or a cousin's son to her, though they never come near the place;
+it's been let ever since I can remember.'
+
+'I wonder if she was brought up at Elvedon,' said Frances. 'It must seem
+rather sad to her, if she was there when she was a little girl, to have
+no one belonging to her there now.'
+
+Altogether the adventure--and a real adventure it was--gave them plenty
+to think of and to talk about all the way home and after they got there.
+Eugene forgot his fatigue, and chattered briskly about the goodness of
+the little brown cakes, till he got a snub from Jacinth about being so
+greedy. His appetite, however, did not seem to have suffered, and he was
+quite ready to do justice to the tea waiting for them at home, though
+not without some allusions to Lady Myrtle's delicious cakes, and wishes
+that Aunt Alison would sometimes give them 'a change from bread and
+butter.'
+
+For one of Miss Mildmay's fixed ideas about children was that they could
+not be brought up too plainly.
+
+'We do have a change sometimes,' said Jacinth. 'We always have golden
+syrup on Saturdays and jam on Sundays, and you know we've had buns two
+or three times on birthdays.'
+
+'Other children have buns and cakes far oftener than us,' said Eugene.
+'Like we used to at Stannesley.'
+
+'It was quite different there,' said Jacinth; 'a big country-house and
+baking at home.'
+
+'_Everything_ was nice at Stannesley,' said Frances with a sigh. 'Granny
+and Uncle Marmy really loved us; that makes the difference.'
+
+'Aunt Alison loves us in her way,' said Jacinth. 'Everybody can't be the
+same. I think you're getting into a very bad habit of grumbling,
+Frances. And this afternoon you really should be pleased. For I
+shouldn't at all wonder if Lady Myrtle often asks us to go to see her,
+and that would be a treat and a change. But what you say about poor
+granny and Uncle Marmy reminds me to say something. You really needn't
+fly up so on the defensive every time I name them; you did it again
+to-day, and I'm sure Lady Myrtle must have thought it very queer, just
+as if I'----
+
+But this second reproof for her behaviour at Robin Redbreast did not
+find Frances as meek as the former one, which, in deference to Jacinth's
+superior knowledge on such subjects, she had felt she perhaps deserved.
+
+'I will "fly up" as you call it,' she interrupted angrily, 'when you
+talk in that cold measured way about dear granny and Uncle Marmy, as if
+you were almost ashamed of them. For one thing I can't bear you to say
+"poor" granny; it's not right. She was a sort of a saint, and I'm quite
+sure that now she's'----But here Frances burst into tears.
+
+Jacinth felt sorry, but annoyed and irritated also. She blamed herself
+for having begun any private talk of the kind before Eugene and Phebe;
+for, as sometimes happened when they had come in late, Phebe was having
+tea with them this evening. And she felt conscious also of deserving, to
+a certain extent, her sister's blame. But Jacinth had a good deal of
+self-control.
+
+'I cannot understand,' she said quietly, though the colour rose to her
+cheeks--'I cannot understand how you can think such things of me--as if
+I--as if anybody could have loved _them_ more than I did; as if'----But
+here the tears rose to her own eyes.
+
+Frances was at once melted.
+
+'I didn't mean _that_,' she said. 'I know you did. I wouldn't love _you_
+if I didn't know it. But it's your manner; you seem in such a hurry
+always to explain that granny wasn't our own grandmother.'
+
+'I don't think that's fair,' said Jacinth. 'How could I possibly have
+helped explaining about it when it is _only_ because of our own
+grandmother that Lady Myrtle cares anything at all about us. And I
+wasn't in a hurry to explain; don't you remember that Lady Myrtle kept
+asking if we were sure our grandmother was only _Mrs_?'
+
+Yes, that had been so, but still the slightly hurt feeling which
+Jacinth's tone about the dear Stannesley people had more than once given
+Frances still remained, and she might have said more, had not her sister
+prevented her doing so.
+
+'Anyway,' she said, 'we need not say any more about it just now.'
+
+After tea they got out their lesson-books, anxious to do all they could,
+so as to wake on Saturday morning with the delightful sensation of a
+real whole holiday. But their long walk, perhaps the excitement of their
+adventure, had tired them. Lessons, with Frances especially, seemed more
+difficult than usual, and after a good many yawns and not a few groans,
+she decided that it was no use to attempt anything calling for a 'clear
+head' that evening.
+
+'I'll just copy out my dictation and exercises,' she said, 'and do all
+the fresh learning to-morrow morning. Won't you do so too, Jass, for
+there are two or three things we can learn together?'
+
+'Very well,' said Jacinth, though with a little sigh, 'perhaps it would
+be better.'
+
+It was not only that she was tired--her head was full of Robin Redbreast
+and its owner, and all manner of fancies and castles in the air were
+crowding upon her. It was really so romantic, she thought; it was not
+silly to picture to herself the delightful possibilities of the future.
+
+'Suppose Lady Myrtle really gets very fond of us'--she said 'us,' but
+'_me_' would perhaps have been more correct, and after all this was
+scarcely unnatural, as it was she who had specially recalled the Jacinth
+Moreland of her enthusiastic youthful affection to the old
+lady--'supposing she in a sort of way adopted us--or me'--for Jacinth
+was not selfish in the common acceptation of the word, though
+self-important and fond of ruling, 'what happiness it might bring us!
+She doesn't seem to have any relations, and she must be very well off.
+Supposing she took us to live with her, and treated us just like her own
+children, I wonder if mamma wouldn't come home then, and papa too
+perhaps. For of course, if they knew we were going to be well off, papa
+wouldn't worry so about staying out in India his full time and all that.
+How I should _love_ to be the one to be able to do everything for them
+all.'
+
+Still it would not do to begin speculating on what might happen in the
+far future when--Jacinth felt shocked when she realised that, in
+picturing herself as Lady Myrtle's possible heir, she was anticipating
+the old lady's death; yet she certainly could not 'fit in' the idea of
+their all living together at Robin Redbreast with its present
+châtelaine. And she laughed at her own absurdity.
+
+'Papa is so independent,' she reflected. 'Even if _mamma_ had a lot of
+money, I don't believe he'd be satisfied without working as hard as
+ever. And of course he loves his profession.'
+
+Then she determined not to be silly, and to think no more about it. But
+her dreams that night were very fantastic and rosy-hued. She awoke in
+the morning from a vision of a wonderful room of which the walls were
+painted all over with robins, which suddenly burst out singing her name,
+'Jacinth, Jacinth,' to find that Frances was awake and calling to her.
+
+'Oh Francie, I was having _such_ an interesting dream,' she said. 'I
+wish you hadn't awakened me: I can't remember what was dreams and what
+wasn't,' she went on sleepily. 'Did we really go inside Uncle Marmy's
+gates, and see?'----
+
+'Of course we did,' said Frances, 'and I've got such a good thought.
+Don't you think we might go that way again to-day and take mamma's last
+photograph with us? Lady Myrtle would be sure to like to see it, and we
+needn't ask for her, you know. And it would keep her from forgetting us,
+and anyway we might walk round the garden, I should think.'
+
+'No,' said Jacinth, 'we can't do anything like that without Aunt
+Alison's leave, and of course we can't ask for leave unless Lady Myrtle
+writes to Aunt Alison. And there's no telling if she will. She may be
+one of those whimsical old people that mean to do a thing, and then
+think better of it and do nothing.'
+
+Frances's face fell.
+
+'Oh, I do hope not,' she said. 'Somehow I don't _think_ she's that sort
+of old lady.'
+
+Nor in her heart did Jacinth. The expression of her misgivings had been
+as much or more to damp or check herself as Frances. For she was
+startled to find how wildly she had been indulging in building
+air-castles. Few, if any, even of those she had spent her life among,
+knew Jacinth Mildmay thoroughly, or had any suspicion of the
+impressionableness, the almost fantastic imagination, hidden under her
+quiet, almost cold exterior. But to some extent she knew herself better
+than is often the case at her age. She was well aware that she needed
+strict holding in hand; she sometimes even went too far in judging as
+contemptible weaknesses, feelings and impulses which were full of good.
+
+But as regards the fancies which since yesterday had been so absorbing
+her, she was in the right. Even apparently harmless hopes and wishes
+dependent on the caprice, or, if carried where they _may_ lead to,
+contingent on the life or death of others, are better checked at once.
+Indulgence in such can do no good, and _may_ do harm.
+
+They had not seen their aunt the night before. And her manner was
+somewhat 'carried' and preoccupied when she kissed the girls as they
+entered the dining-room, where she was already seated at the table
+waiting to read prayers.
+
+A slight misgiving came over Jacinth. She glanced at the sideboard where
+the morning letters were always placed. Yes, one or two torn wrappers
+were lying there: evidently the letters had come and been opened. For
+Miss Alison Mildmay was, as Frances expressed it, 'a _dreadfully_ early
+getter-up,' and had always an hour or more to herself before the younger
+members of the household appeared.
+
+I am afraid Jacinth's attention that morning was rather distracted. She
+sat glancing at her aunt's profile, cold and almost hard, as she was
+accustomed to see it, but with just now the addition of some irritable
+lines about the forehead which were certainly not _always_ there.
+
+'Something has vexed her, I am certain,' said Jacinth to herself. 'I do
+wonder if it has anything to do with Lady Myrtle. Oh dear, if she has
+written so as to vex Aunt Alison, and we get blamed for it, and
+everything is spoilt!'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+A LETTER AND A DISCUSSION.
+
+
+'Were you very late last night, Aunt Alison? Are you tired?'
+
+The questions came from Frances, who had noticed the unusual silence at
+the breakfast-table--not that they were ever very loquacious, for Eugene
+had his meals up-stairs and he was the chatterbox of the party--but
+without any of her sister's fears or misgivings. So that she looked up
+at her aunt in happy freedom from any self-conscious embarrassment.
+
+'I was not later than I am usually on Fridays,' said Miss Mildmay. 'No,
+thank you, I am not tired. Will you have some more tea, Jacinth?'
+
+'Yes, please,' said the elder girl. She was growing more and more
+nervous, and yet her anxiety to know if Lady Myrtle really had written
+already made her remain near her aunt as long as possible.
+
+Miss Mildmay had apparently finished her own breakfast, for after
+handing Jacinth her cup, she took up a little pile of letters which lay
+beside her, and drew out one, which she unfolded and glanced at with a
+peculiar expression on her face.
+
+'Have you--have you nothing to tell me--no message to give me?' she said
+at last, still fingering the letter.
+
+She spoke to both girls, but it seemed to Jacinth as if her words were
+more specially addressed to her, and she started, while a flush rose to
+her face. And suddenly she remembered--or realised rather--that Lady
+Myrtle _had_ given them a message for their aunt; though, oddly enough,
+in spite of her thoughts having been so much absorbed with the adventure
+of the day before, it had never once occurred to her during that silent
+breakfast that she should have spoken of it to her aunt--should, in
+fact, have related all that had passed. There had been no reason for her
+not doing so--the old lady had specially desired it--it was only that
+her strong impression that Miss Mildmay had something to say to them had
+made her wait.
+
+'Of course,' she exclaimed nervously. 'I really don't know what we've
+been thinking of _not_ to tell you. For we _have_ a message for
+you.--Frances, why didn't you remind me?'
+
+Frances stared. It was seldom her way to take the initiative, she was so
+accustomed to follow Jacinth's lead; and just now she had been quite
+contentedly waiting to speak of their visit to Robin Redbreast till her
+sister saw fit to do so.
+
+'I--I didn't know. I thought'----began Frances confusedly.
+
+Miss Mildmay turned upon her sharply.
+
+'Have you been planning together not to speak of this--this curious
+affair to me?' she said. 'I don't pretend not to know all about it. I
+do,' and she touched the letter, 'by this, but I must say I think I
+should not have heard of it _first_ from a stranger. There is one thing
+I cannot and will not stand, I warn you, girls, and that is any approach
+to want of candour.'
+
+'Aunt Alison,' exclaimed Jacinth in hot indignation, 'how can you? Did
+you not hear me ask Frances why she had not reminded me to tell you?'
+
+'No, I cannot understand that,' said her aunt, still coldly. 'It is
+quite impossible that you had _forgotten_ about it, when it only
+happened'----She glanced at the letter and hesitated. 'When was it, it
+happened?'
+
+'Only yesterday,' said Jacinth quietly. 'No, _of course_, I hadn't
+forgotten. But I had forgotten that I had a message for you that I
+should have given immediately I saw you. That I _had_ forgotten, and if
+you don't believe me, I can't help it.'
+
+Her voice choked, and the tears rushed to her eyes, though with a strong
+effort she kept them from falling.
+
+Frances glanced at her, her face working with sympathy.
+
+Miss Mildmay seemed perplexed.
+
+'Only yesterday!' she said. 'I don't see how I have got this letter so
+quickly. I thought it was at least the day before.'
+
+'No,' said Frances, 'it was only yesterday. We went a long walk in the
+afternoon, and of course we didn't see you till this morning. We
+couldn't have told you till just now, and I thought--I think--I thought
+Jass was waiting to speak to you alone after breakfast.'
+
+'It wasn't that,' said Jacinth. 'If you want to know exactly why I
+didn't begin about it at breakfast, Aunt Alison, it was because I had a
+sort of idea or fancy that you had heard already from Lady Myrtle. I
+thought you looked just a little annoyed, and I kept expecting you to
+say something about it, and then, of course, I would have told you
+everything there was to tell.'
+
+Miss Alison Mildmay was severe, but she was not distrustful or
+suspicious, and the candour of the two girls was unmistakable.
+
+'I am sorry,' she said, 'to have judged you unfairly. Tell me the whole
+story now, and then I will read you what this eccentric old lady says.'
+
+She smiled a little.
+
+'That was just what she said you'd call her,' broke in Frances. 'But she
+said her letter would make you understand.'
+
+'Oh yes, of course it does, to a certain extent,' replied her aunt. Then
+her eyes fell on the envelope--'Miss Alison Mildmay.'
+
+'Considering I have lived twenty years at Thetford,' she said, rather
+bitterly, 'I think it, to say the least, unnecessary to address me like
+this, though of course I don't deny that it is, strictly speaking,
+correct.'
+
+Jacinth glanced at it.
+
+'I am sure'--she began. 'You don't think _I_ had anything to do with
+it?'
+
+'Oh no, I don't suppose you ever thought of it. But Lady Myrtle Goodacre
+has never seen fit to call upon me, so it is all of a piece. I really
+must not waste any more time, however; I have a dozen things waiting for
+me to do. You say it was yesterday afternoon?'
+
+'Yes,' said Jacinth. 'We went a long walk--to Aldersmere, and coming
+back, Eugene was tired and very thirsty, and he begged us to let him ask
+for a drink just as we were getting near Robin Redbreast, and the old
+lady heard us talking over the wall'----
+
+'And she heard Jass's name,' interrupted Frances, 'and'----
+
+'Let Jacinth tell it, if you please, Frances,' said Miss Mildmay.
+
+So Jacinth took up the story again, and related all that had happened.
+
+Her aunt listened attentively, her face softened.
+
+'I don't think I need read you what Lady Myrtle has written, after all,'
+she said, when Jacinth had finished speaking. 'I understand it well
+enough, and I have no doubt your father and mother would like you to go
+to Robin Redbreast now and then; of course, not to any extreme, or so as
+to interfere with your lessons or regular ways.'
+
+'Does Lady Myrtle ask you to go to see her too?' inquired Jacinth, half
+timidly.
+
+'Oh dear, no,' replied Miss Mildmay: 'she is straightforward enough. She
+does not pretend to want to make _my_ acquaintance, and after all why
+should she? She has had plenty of time to do so if she had wished it
+during all these years; and honestly,' and here again she smiled quite
+naturally, 'I don't want to know her. I have no time for fresh
+acquaintances. And her interest in you children, Jacinth especially, has
+nothing to do with our side. It is entirely connected with the
+Morelands.'
+
+'I wonder how she and our grandmother came to be such friends,' said
+Jacinth. 'Lady Myrtle's old home was near here, and the Morelands didn't
+belong to this neighbourhood.'
+
+'No, but the Elvedons have another place in the north near your
+grandmother's old home,' said Miss Mildmay, who was very well posted up
+in such matters. 'They have never lived all the year round at Elvedon, I
+fancy, and now of course it is let.'
+
+'Lady Myrtle's name used to be Harper, she told us,' said Frances, who
+never cared to be very long left out of the conversation, 'and there are
+some girls called Harper at our school. But Jacinth says it's quite a
+common name.'
+
+'No, Frances, I didn't say that,' said Jacinth. 'I said it wasn't an
+_un_common name; that sounds quite different.'
+
+'Possibly the Harpers at Miss Scarlett's may be some
+connection--distant, probably--of the Elvedons,' said Miss Mildmay,
+carelessly. 'But of course it is not, as Jacinth says, an uncommon
+name.'
+
+But her remark set Frances's imagination to work.
+
+'They are very, _very_ nice girls--the nicest at the school,' she said.
+'Their names are Bessie and Margaret. If you could only see them, Aunt
+Alison! I do _so_ wish you would let us ask them to tea some Saturday.'
+
+'Nonsense, child,' said Miss Mildmay, impatiently. 'I cannot begin
+things of that kind, as you might understand. You have companionship at
+school, and when you are at home you must be content with your own
+society. Now you must leave me: I have to see the cook, and I have made
+myself late already.'
+
+'Frances,' said Jacinth on their way up-stairs to their own little
+sitting-room, 'I do think you are the _silliest_ girl I ever knew. Just
+after all that discussion--and I can tell you I was shaking in my shoes
+for ever so long--just when it had ended so well, you must go and vex
+Aunt Alison by wanting to have the Harpers here at tea. I think you are
+absurd about those girls, as you always are about new friends. _I_ don't
+want them here at tea, or at anything.'
+
+'Well, I do, then, or rather I did,' said Frances doggedly. 'That's just
+all the difference. No girls have as dull a life as we have.'
+
+'It's a very silly time for you to begin complaining, just when we have
+a chance of some amusement and change,' said Jacinth. 'I'm almost sure
+Lady Myrtle will ask us to spend the day, or something like that, very
+soon.'
+
+'I don't want to go. It's you she cares for, and you may keep her to
+yourself,' said Frances, waxing more and more cross. 'I wish I was a
+boarder at school. I'd like it far better than being always scolded by
+you.'
+
+It was not often that Frances so rebelled, or that their small squabbles
+went so nearly the length of a quarrel. But this morning there seemed
+disturbance in the air; and to add to it, when Frances had finished her
+English lessons, and was about to begin her French translation, she
+found, to her dismay, that she had forgotten to bring an important book
+home with her.
+
+'What _shall_ I do?' she exclaimed, forgetting, in her distress, the
+unfriendly state of feeling between herself and her sister. 'I really
+must have it, or I shall miss all my marks in the French class, and you
+know, Jacinth, I had set my heart on getting the prize.'
+
+Jacinth's sympathy was aroused. She herself was in a higher class than
+her sister, but she was greatly interested in Frances's success. For
+Frances was rather a giddy little person. Till the companionship and
+emulation at school had roused her, she had never bestowed more
+attention on her lessons than was absolutely unavoidable.
+
+'I don't know what to do,' said the elder girl after some reflection. 'I
+don't see how you are to get the book till Monday.'
+
+For there was a strict rule at the school, that day-scholars were
+neither to go there nor to send messages from their homes, out of school
+hours. So that forgettings of books required for preparation, or other
+carelessnesses of the kind, became serious matters.
+
+'If I don't get it till I go to school on Monday, I needn't get it at
+all,' said Frances. 'There's no comfort in telling me that. You know the
+class _is_ on Monday morning, so I've as good as lost my chance already,
+and I needn't bother about it any more. I'll never try for a prize
+again, I know that.'
+
+She began to hum a tune in a would-be-indifferent, reckless way, but
+Jacinth knew that this was only bravado, and that it would be followed
+by great vexation of spirit, and she felt sorry and anxious.
+
+'I'll tell you what, Frances,' she said at last, after sitting for some
+time, her head resting on her hand, her own work at a standstill for the
+moment--'I'll tell you what: the only plan is this--for you to go
+straight to Miss Scarlett herself and tell her all about your having
+forgotten the book, and how anxious you are about the prize. I daresay
+she'd let you go to your shelf and fetch it; she would see you had not
+broken her rule.'
+
+It was a good idea, and Frances recognised this, but all the same she
+did not like it at all.
+
+'I'd have to go to the front-door,' she said reluctantly, as she sat
+drumming her fingers on the table, 'and I can't go alone.'
+
+'There's no need for you to go alone: take Phebe. Aunt Alison wouldn't
+mind your taking her in the morning for once. I'll help her to put away
+our things from the laundress, or whatever it is she's busy about. And I
+think you'd better go at once, Frances, if you're going.'
+
+'Aunt Alison won't be in till dinner-time, so I can't go till after
+then,' said Frances.
+
+'Yes, you can,' Jacinth persisted. 'You know you can. I undertake to put
+it all right with Aunt Alison. Do go at once. If I have half an hour
+quietly to myself, I shall have finished my lessons by the time you come
+in--it won't take you more than half an hour--and then I can help
+Phebe.'
+
+'If I could see Miss Marcia Scarlett I shouldn't mind so much,' next
+said Frances, still irresolutely.
+
+Jacinth's patience began to give way.
+
+'You are too bad, Frances,' she said. 'You are spoiling my work and
+losing any chance you have of getting the book. If you wait till the
+afternoon, most likely all the Miss Scarletts will be out or engaged,
+and I rather think--yes, I am sure the boarders told me that the
+school-books are locked up at noon on Saturday till Monday morning. Ask
+for Miss Marcia, if you like; you've just as good a chance of seeing her
+as the others. But you must decide. Are you going or not?'
+
+Frances got up slowly from her seat and moved towards the door.
+
+'I suppose I must,' she said in a martyrised tone. 'You do scurry one
+so, Jacinth.' And then when, having borne this certainly unmerited
+reproach in silence, Jacinth with relief heard the door close on her
+sister and began to hope she was going to have a little peace, it was
+opened again sufficiently to admit Frances's fluffy head, while she
+asked, in a half-grumbling, half-conciliatory tone, if she might take
+Eugene.
+
+'Of course,' said Jacinth; 'a little fresh air in the morning is always
+good for him.'
+
+She heard no more except, ten minutes or so later, the closing of the
+front-door, and the next three-quarters of an hour passed, rapidly, so
+absorbed was she in her own work, till the old church clock striking
+twelve--for St Blaise's in the Market Square was but a stone's-throw
+from Miss Mildmay's house--made her look up suddenly, and at that moment
+came a rushing of eager feet across the stone-tiled hall, quickly
+followed by Frances's voice in great excitement.
+
+'Jacinth, Jass!' she exclaimed, and almost before the elder girl had
+time to say to herself, 'I do hope nothing has gone wrong,' her sister's
+bright face reassured her.
+
+Frances was like a veritable April day--gloom and sparkle, tears and
+laughter, succeeded each other with her as swiftly as the clouds rushing
+before the wind alternately veil and reveal the sun's bright face,
+though underneath all this fitfulness and caprice lay a sturdy
+foundation of principle and loyalty which circumstances, so far, had
+scarcely brought out, and which Jacinth certainly did not as yet realise
+or appreciate.
+
+'Oh Jass,' exclaimed the little girl, 'I am so glad I went. _Such_ a
+nice thing has happened! I saw Miss Marcia--I asked for her at the door,
+and she was crossing the hall; wasn't it lucky? She _was_ so kind about
+the book, and she took me herself to the big schoolroom to fetch it.
+None of the girls were there--it looked so funny all empty, you can't
+think--they were out in the garden. And Jass, to-day they 're going to
+have their last out-of-doors tea for this year, you know, as it's
+getting cold. They have tea in the garden every fortnight all through
+the fine weather. And she invited _me_, Jass--just fancy! She said she
+was sure you wouldn't mind, as it's quite an extra thing to invite a
+day-scholar, you see, and'----
+
+Here Frances was forced to take breath, and Jacinth got a chance of
+putting in a word.
+
+'Of course I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm very glad indeed, _very_ glad
+for you to have a little fun. And we couldn't have gone much of a walk
+this afternoon, as Eugene is still tired with yesterday.'
+
+'And you think Aunt Alison will let me go?' said Frances.
+
+'Oh yes, I'm sure she will. If you will get on with your lessons now,
+Frances, so as to be able to say at dinner that you have quite finished,
+I will go down-stairs and watch for Aunt Alison. She will be in by one,
+to-day, and I'll ask her for you.'
+
+'Oh thank you, Jass,' said Frances gratefully. 'Yes, I'll hurry up.
+But--Jass'----
+
+'Well?'
+
+Francie's face grew very grave.
+
+'It's about my things, Jass. What do you think I should wear? I'm so
+afraid Aunt Alison will be vexed if I put on my best things--and of
+course black frocks do get spoilt if one runs about much--and yet my
+every-day frock is so shabby now, and--I don't want the girls to think
+we're never properly dressed.'
+
+Jacinth considered. They were still in deep mourning, for Miss Mildmay's
+ideas on such subjects were 'old-fashioned,' and she quite recognised
+that the late Mrs Denison's memory should be treated with the fullest
+respect. But Jacinth sympathised with Frances's feelings.
+
+'I was looking at our dark-gray frocks with Phebe the other day,' she
+said. 'The ones we had new just before--before our mourning. You know
+they were got for half-mourning because of old Sir George
+Mildmay's--papa's uncle's--death, and they look quite fresh and nice. I
+don't think you've grown much, Francie--and oh, by-the-bye, I believe
+there's a tuck that could be let down.'
+
+'Yes,' said Frances, 'there are little tucks--a lot--above the hem.'
+
+'Then I'll run up and tell Phebe to get them out, yours at least. I'll
+explain to Aunt Alison; and if I lend you my wide black sash, I'm sure
+it will look quite mourning enough.'
+
+'Oh Jass,' exclaimed Frances, '_how_ good of you!'
+
+The honour and glory of Jacinth's best black sash was almost too much
+for her.
+
+'Really, I should never be cross to Jass. She is so very, very kind and
+unselfish,' thought the grateful little girl.
+
+The gray frock was looked out and soon got ready. It was lying on a
+chair in the girls' room when Jacinth, a little before half-past one, at
+last heard her aunt's step in the hall, and ran forward to meet her,
+primed with her request.
+
+Miss Mildmay was still in a somewhat conciliatory mood, and she listened
+to Jacinth's story with as much kindliness as was in her nature to show.
+
+'Yes,' she said, 'I suppose she may as well go, though you know, my
+dear, I cannot encourage any schoolgirl friendships. It would be
+impossible for me to invite other children here, and yet I could not
+accept attentions for you which I could not return.'
+
+'But this is different, being at Miss Scarlett's, where we go to school.
+You didn't mind our going to the breaking-up party before the midsummer
+holiday,' said Jacinth, trembling a little at the irresolution in her
+aunt's face.
+
+'Oh, I don't mean to stop her going,' said Miss Mildmay. 'It is very
+nice of you to be so eager for Frances to have the little pleasure. But
+just warn her, if you can, not to get too intimate with the other girls.
+It will only cause trouble and annoyance. Frances is an impulsive
+little creature, but she is old enough to understand that she should be
+discreet. The worst of any girls' school, even the best, is the chatter
+and gossip that go on.'
+
+'I have often warned Frances about that kind of thing,' said Jacinth.
+'The girls are all very nice and lady-like, but of course we don't see
+very much of them; it is not as if we were boarders. Francie is more
+sensible about making friends than she was at first. The only two she
+really likes _very_ much are the Harpers--Bessie and Margaret
+Harper--the girls she was speaking of to you.'
+
+'They are nice girls, I believe,' said Miss Mildmay. 'Miss Scarlett told
+me about them. I don't think we need discourage her friendship with
+them. After all, any gossip one would dislike is more probable with the
+other day-scholars, and you have not much to do with them, I think.'
+
+'There are so few compared with the boarders,' said Jacinth, 'and
+they're all great friends together. I don't think any of them are
+particularly interesting. Thank you so much, Aunt Alison, for letting
+Frances go. I'll run and tell her, she will be so delighted.'
+
+And so she was, delighted and grateful, so that she took in good part
+the little lecture Jacinth proceeded to give her in accordance with her
+aunt's wish.
+
+'I _am_ careful, I really am, Jass,' she maintained. 'I don't care a bit
+for any of the day-scholars. They are rather common just because they
+think they're not, and they do _so_ look down on Miss Green's scholars.
+It's quite absurd. The only girls I really care for are the Harpers,
+and--well, a little for Prissy Beckingham, though she's rather silly.'
+
+'It's the day-scholars Aunt Alison doesn't want you to be great friends
+with,' said Jacinth. 'In a little place like this, there's always a lot
+of chatter. She knows the Harpers are nice girls.'
+
+'Well, that's all I want,' said Frances, with satisfaction. 'I don't
+want a lot of friends. Bessie and Margaret are quite enough for me--and
+you, Jass. If I hadn't any one but you I should be content, especially
+when you're so very kind to me as you've been to-day.'
+
+And at the appointed time, Frances made her appearance dressed for her
+garden party, in great spirits, very conscious of the grand effect of
+her sister's best black silk sash.
+
+'And what are you going to do with yourself, Jacinth?' inquired her
+aunt, who happened to be crossing the hall at the moment that the two
+girls came running down--Frances ready to start. 'Are you and Eugene
+going a walk? or have you lessons to do still?'
+
+'No, I finished them all this morning, and Eugene is tired. I don't
+quite know what I'm going to do,' said Jacinth.
+
+She was not the least of a complaining nature; she had no thought of
+complaining just then, but as Miss Mildmay's glance fell on the young
+figure standing there so interested in her sister's pleasure, it struck
+her almost for the first time, in any thorough way, that the life with
+her here at Thetford was somewhat lonely for her nieces, and that it was
+not by any means every girl of Jacinth's age who would accommodate
+herself to it so contentedly.
+
+'It is always a pity when parents and children have to be separated,'
+she said to herself. 'It is unnatural. It should not have to be. From
+the effects of such a separation in my childhood, I believe I have
+suffered ever since. It made me hard and unable to understand family
+life as I might have done.'
+
+And her tone was unusually kind and gentle when she spoke again.
+
+'Would you care'----she began. 'I scarcely think you would, but would
+you care to come with me for once in a way to our girls' club? I shall
+be there all the afternoon giving out the lending-library books, and a
+good many volumes need re-covering. I could find you plenty to do, and
+we can have a cup of tea there.'
+
+'Oh, I should like to come--very much,' said Jacinth, eagerly.
+
+Miss Mildmay seemed pleased.
+
+'Well, I think I had better make sure of you while I can have you for
+this one Saturday afternoon,' she said. 'In future I shall not be
+surprised if you spend Saturdays often with your old lady at Robin
+Redbreast. I have written to her, Jacinth. I am just going to post the
+letter.'
+
+'Oh, thank you,' said the girl.--'Good-bye, Francie; you see I shall not
+be dull without you,' and the two kissed each other affectionately.
+
+Then Frances, escorted by Phebe, set off, and Jacinth ran up-stairs to
+get ready for her expedition with her aunt.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+AN OLD STORY.
+
+
+That Saturday afternoon passed very pleasantly for both the sisters.
+Jacinth earned her aunt's commendation by her quick neat-handedness and
+accuracy, and a modicum of praise from Miss Mildmay meant a good deal.
+The little misunderstanding of the morning, ending as it had done in
+making the aunt, an essentially just woman, blame herself for hasty
+judgment, had drawn her and her elder niece closer together than had yet
+been the case. And no doubt there was a substratum of resemblance in
+their natures, deeper and more real than the curious capricious likeness
+which had struck Marmaduke so oddly--which was indeed perhaps but a
+casual coming to the surface of a real underlying similarity.
+
+Things were turning out quite other than the young uncle in his anxiety
+had anticipated.
+
+'If fate had sent me Jacinth alone,' thought Miss Mildmay, 'I rather
+think we should have got on very well, and have fitted into each other's
+ways. There is so much more in her than in Frances. I strongly suspect,
+in spite of her looks, that Jacinth takes after our side of the
+house--she almost seems older than Eugenia in some ways--whereas
+Frances, I suppose, is her mother over again.'
+
+But here she checked herself. Any implied disparagement of her
+sister-in-law she did not, even in her secret thoughts, intend or
+encourage, for Alison Mildmay was truly and firmly attached to her
+brother's wife, widely different though their characters were.
+
+'Frances is really only a baby,' she went on thinking. 'There's no
+telling as yet what she will turn out.'
+
+Jacinth on her side was conscious of a good deal of congeniality between
+herself and her aunt. It was not the congeniality of affection, often
+all the stronger for a certain amount of intellectual dissimilarity, or
+differences of temperament, thus leaving scope for complementary
+qualities which love welds together and cements; it was scarcely even
+that of friendliness. It consisted in a certain satisfaction and
+approval of Miss Mildmay's ways of seeing and doing things. The girl
+felt positive pleasure in her aunt's perfect 'method;' in the clear and
+well-considered manner in which her time was mapped out; in the quick
+discrimination with which she divined what would be the right place and
+treatment for each girl in her club; even in the beautiful order of the
+book-shelves and the neat clerk-like writing of the savings-bank
+entries. It was all so complete and accurate, with no loose ends left
+about--all so perfect in its way, thought Jacinth, as she cut and folded
+and manipulated the brown paper entrusted to her charge for the books'
+new coats, rewarded by her aunt's 'Very nice--very nice indeed, my
+dear,' when it was time to go home, and she pointed out the neat little
+pile of clean tidy volumes.
+
+Frances on her side had enjoyed herself greatly. She was the only
+outsider, otherwise day-scholar, at the garden tea, which fact in no way
+lessened her satisfaction while it increased her importance.
+
+'I wish you were a boarder, Frances,' said Margaret Harper, the younger
+of her two friends, as they were walking up and down a shady path in
+the intervals of the games all the girls had joined in. 'Don't you? It
+would be so nice, and I am sure we should be great, _great_ friends--you
+and Bessie and I.'
+
+'And not Jass?' said Frances. 'I shouldn't like to be a boarder unless
+Jass was too. Then, I daresay, I wouldn't mind.'
+
+'We'd like to be friends with Jacinth too,' said Margaret, 'but Bessie
+and I don't think she cares very much about being great friends. She
+seems so much older, though she's only a year more than Bessie, isn't
+she?'
+
+'She's fifteen,' said Frances. 'She is old in some ways, but still she
+and I do everything nearly together. She's very good to me. She's very
+nice about you, and I'm quite happy about having you and Bessie for my
+best friends, for Jacinth and Aunt Alison think you're the nicest girls
+here.'
+
+Margaret coloured with pleasure, but with some shyness too.
+
+'I'm glad they think we're nice,' she said; 'and I'm sure, if your aunt
+knew father and mother, they'd think we _should_ be far, far better than
+we are, at least than I am. I don't think Bessie _could_ be much better
+than she is. But a good many others of the girls are very nice indeed;
+they are none of them not nice, except that Prissy Beckingham talks too
+much and says rather rude things without meaning it, and Laura French
+certainly has a very bad temper. But she's always sorry for it
+afterwards. And who could be nicer than the Eves or Honor Falmouth.'
+
+'I don't know them much; they're too big for me, you see,' said Frances.
+'Of course I'd know them better if we were boarders. Do you like my gray
+frock, Margaret? It's the first day I've had on anything but black for
+such a time; it does feel so funny.'
+
+'I think it's very pretty, and you've got such a beautiful sash!' said
+Margaret admiringly. 'But I always think you and Jacinth are so nicely
+dressed, even though you've been in black all the time. Bessie and I
+can't have anything but very plain frocks, you know. Mother couldn't
+afford it, for we're not _at all_ rich.'
+
+'I don't fancy we are, either,' said Frances; 'I shouldn't think papa
+would stay out in India if we were. But at Stannesley, where we lived
+before, granny always got us very nice dresses: she used often to send
+to London for them. I don't believe Aunt Alison will care so much how we
+are dressed. Do you have an allowance for your gloves, Margaret? We do.
+I got a new pair yesterday, but I'm afraid they're not very good; where
+are they, I wonder? Oh yes, here in my pocket; there are little whity
+marks in the black kid already, as if they were going to split.'
+
+She drew the gloves out, as she spoke, but with them came something
+else--a doubled-up, rather soiled white card.
+
+'What's this?' said Frances, as she unfolded it. 'Oh, I declare! Just
+look, Margaret--it's an old Christmas card of last year. I remember one
+of the children gave it me at the Sunday school, and I've never had this
+frock on since. Isn't it strange?'
+
+She stood looking at the card--an ordinary enough little picture of a
+robin on a bough, with 'Merry Christmas' in one corner--a mixture of
+sadness and almost reverence in her young face. 'Last Christmas' seemed
+so very long ago to Frances. And indeed, so much had happened since then
+to change things for herself and her brother and sister, that it did
+naturally seem like looking back to the other side of a lifetime to
+recall the circumstances which then surrounded them. How well she
+remembered that very Sunday, the last of the old year; how they had
+chattered and laughed as they ran home over the frosty ground, and Uncle
+Marmaduke, who had just joined them, had predicted skating before the
+week was out! How tenderly granny had kissed them that night when they
+went to bed, with some little remark about the ending of the year, and
+how the next morning she was not well enough to get up, anxious though
+she was in no way to cloud or damp their enjoyment; and how the doctor
+had begun to come every day, and then--and then----The tears started to
+Frances's eyes as she seemed to live through it all again, and for a
+moment or two she did not speak; she forgot that Margaret was standing
+beside her with sympathising face.
+
+'Dear Frances,' she said, 'does it remind you of something sad? Has it
+to do with when you went into mourning?'
+
+'Yes,' said Frances, 'it was soon after last Christmas that granny--our
+grandmother that we lived with--got ill and died, you know, Margaret.
+It's for her we are still in mourning.'
+
+'And you were very fond of her, of course?' said Margaret.
+
+'Very, _very_,' said Frances.
+
+Then she almost seemed anxious to change the subject: she was afraid of
+beginning to cry, which 'before all the girls' would have certainly been
+ill-timed. And her glance fell on the card in her hand.
+
+'Robin Redbreast,' she said consideringly. 'Margaret, have you ever
+passed that lovely old house, down the lane on the Crickthorne Road,
+that's called "Robin Redbreast?" The bird on the card reminded me of it
+just now.'
+
+'Oh yes,' said Margaret rather eagerly. 'I know it quite well. Once or
+twice Bessie and I have stood at the gate and looked in. Isn't it a
+delicious quaint old place?'
+
+'It's perfectly beautiful,' said Frances. 'You can't think what it looks
+like from the inside.'
+
+'Have you ever been inside?' questioned Margaret, evidently intensely
+interested. 'Do tell me about it.'
+
+Frances glanced round, as if to make sure that no one was within
+hearing, partly perhaps from a feeling that Jacinth would not have liked
+her to go 'chattering' about their yesterday's adventure, partly from a
+childish love of importance and mystery.
+
+'Is it anything you shouldn't tell me, perhaps?' said Margaret, with
+quick delicacy. 'Don't mind my having asked you; it wasn't--it wasn't
+exactly curiosity, Frances.'
+
+And Frances, glancing at her friend, saw that her face had reddened all
+over. Margaret was not a pretty child, but she was very sweet-looking,
+with honest gray eyes and smooth brown hair. Her features were good, but
+the cheeks were less round than one likes to see at her age; there was a
+rather wistful expression about the whole face, almost suggesting
+premature cares and anxiety.
+
+'Oh no, dear,' said Frances reassuringly. 'It's not that. It _was_
+rather queer, and you see we weren't quite sure at first how Aunt Alison
+was going to take it. And Jacinth is always rather down upon me for
+talking too much. But I know I may tell _you_, for it's quite fixed that
+you and Bessie are to be my best friends: it's the day-scholars that
+Aunt Alison doesn't want me to talk much to.'
+
+'Yes,' agreed Margaret, 'I quite understand.'
+
+[Illustration: And then Frances related the whole, Margaret listening
+intently till almost the end.]
+
+She was in a fever, poor child, and from no selfish motive assuredly, to
+hear more about the mysterious house. But she restrained herself,
+scrupulously careful in no way to force the other's confidence.
+
+'When I said what Robin Redbreast looked like from the inside, I meant
+from inside the gates,' began Frances, after a moment or two's
+reflection. For she was scrupulously truthful. 'I've not been inside the
+house--not farther than the porch. But the porch is like a little room,
+it _is_ so pretty. I'll tell you how it all was; you may tell Bessie,
+but not any one else, because, you see, there's quite a story about it.'
+
+And then Frances related the whole, Margaret listening intently till
+almost the end, when the little narrator, stopping for a moment to take
+breath, after 'So you see our grandmother was her very dearest friend,
+and she really seemed as if she could scarcely bear to let Jacinth go,
+and--_isn't_ it like a real story?' saw, to her surprise, that her
+hearer's face, instead of being rosier than usual, had now grown quite
+pale.
+
+'Why, Margaret, what's the matter? You look as if I had been telling you
+a ghost-story, you're so white,' she exclaimed.
+
+Margaret gave a little gasp.
+
+'It is so strange,' she said. 'I'll tell you why it has made me feel so
+queer. Mine is a sort of a secret, Frances; at least when we came here
+to school mother told us not to talk about it. But I know I can trust
+you, and what you've told me makes it seem as if somehow--I don't know
+how to say what I mean--as if we must be a sort of relation to each
+other, from our people long ago having been such friends. For, do you
+know, Frances, Lady Myrtle Goodacre is our aunt--our great-aunt, that is
+to say--father's own aunt?'
+
+Frances stopped short and _almost_ clapped her hands.
+
+'There now,' she said, 'I had a feeling there was something like that. I
+_wish_ Jacinth hadn't stopped my speaking of you, when Lady Myrtle told
+us her name used to be Harper.'
+
+'Were you going to speak of us?' asked Margaret.
+
+'Yes, it was on the very tip of my tongue. Indeed I believe I did get as
+far as "There are some," when Jacinth stopped me. She said afterwards
+that it is "common," when any one mentions a name, to say immediately,
+"Oh, _I_ know somebody called that." I don't quite see why it should be
+common; it's rather interesting, I think. Still I daresay it's true that
+common people often do speak like that, when you come to think of it.
+They've always got an aunt, or a cousin, or a friend's friend called
+so-and-so, or living somewhere, if you mention a place.'
+
+'I daresay they do,' said Margaret; but she seemed to be giving only
+half her attention. 'Frances,' she went on, 'I wonder what would have
+happened if you _had_ spoken of us? I wonder if Lady Myrtle would have
+taken any notice?'
+
+Frances stared.
+
+'Of course she would!' she exclaimed. 'Do you mean to say she wouldn't
+have taken any notice of hearing that her own grand-nieces were so near
+her? Why, she'----But suddenly the actual state of the case struck her.
+'Do you--does she _not_ know you're here?' she went on, raising her blue
+eyes in bewilderment to Margaret's face. 'No, I suppose she doesn't, or
+of course you would be asked to Robin Redbreast on holidays and all that
+sort of thing.'
+
+'No,' Margaret replied, 'she doesn't know anything about us. I'm not
+even sure that she knows of our existence; anyway she has never heard
+our names, or how many of us there are, and I can't believe she really
+understands how--how very poor we are. For she is very, very rich, you
+know, Frances, though she lives in that quiet way.'
+
+'_Is_ she?' said Frances. 'I do wish I had spoken of you, whether it was
+"common" or not.'
+
+'She mightn't have thought that we were any relation,' said Margaret,
+simply. 'Harper isn't a very particular name. And you see we're not very
+near to the head of the family now. Lord Elvedon is only father's
+cousin, and they never stay near here. Father and mother see them
+sometimes in London, but they've got a very large family, and they're
+not rich--not _extra_ rich themselves; for the one before this Lord
+Elvedon, the one who was father's uncle, you see, was very extravagant,
+though it was mostly his brother's fault--that was our grandfather. His
+name was Bernard Harper, and'----
+
+'It's awfully interesting,' said Frances, 'but I'm afraid I'm getting
+rather muddled. Your _grandfather_--what was he, then, to Lady Myrtle?'
+
+'I'll begin at the other end,' said Margaret; 'that will make it
+plainer. There was a Lord Elvedon who had two sons and a daughter; the
+daughter was Lady Myrtle. The sons were younger than the daughter, and
+they were both extravagant. The elder one was a weaker character than
+his brother, and quite led by him, and before their father died they had
+already wasted a lot of money, and given him a great deal of trouble,
+especially Bernard, the second one. So old Lord Elvedon left all he
+_could_ to his daughter, Lady Myrtle; of course the estates and a good
+deal had to go with the title, but still the new Lord Elvedon was much
+less rich than he should have been, you see, and our grandfather--that
+was the son called Bernard--was really poor, and his children, our
+father and his sisters, have always been poor. Father says a good deal
+will go back to the title when Lady Myrtle dies, and she is quite
+friends with the present Lord Elvedon, her nephew. But she couldn't bear
+her brother Bernard--I believe he behaved very badly to her and to all
+his people--and she has never taken the least notice of father, though
+father is really a sort of an angel;' and Margaret's eyes glistened.
+'You know it is like that sometimes,' she went on; 'a bad father--and I
+am afraid our grandfather was a bad man, though I don't quite like
+saying it--sometimes has very good children.'
+
+'But Lady Myrtle _can't_ know about you all--about your father
+especially,' said Frances. 'I think he should write to her, or do
+something. Very likely she's got quite wrong ideas about him.'
+
+'No,' said Margaret, 'she must know he is a very good man. He was in the
+army, you know, like your father, and he was very brave and did lots of
+things, but he had to leave because of a wound, when he was only a
+captain. When he and mother married he hoped to stay on till he became a
+general, and at first they weren't so badly off, for mother had some
+money. But a good deal of it was lost somehow.'
+
+'I do think Lady Myrtle should be told--I really do,' said Frances,
+stopping short and speaking with great energy.
+
+But Margaret only shook her head.
+
+'She does know a good deal,' she said. 'We are sure she does, for some
+years ago my aunt--that's father's only sister--the other died quite
+young--wrote to her about us. Aunt Flora isn't badly off in a way, for
+she has no children, and her husband is a judge in India. But she can't
+do much for us, and--you see it's her husband's money; it isn't as if it
+was a relation of _ours_.'
+
+Frances had never thought of things in this way; she was years and years
+younger in mind, or rather in experience and knowledge of life, than
+Margaret Harper, her junior by nearly twelve months. For Margaret with
+her older brothers and sisters had early had to face practical
+difficulties and troubles, the very existence of which was unknown to
+her young companion.
+
+'It's a shame--a regular shame; that's what it is!' said Frances
+vehemently, her face flushing with indignation, 'and something should be
+done.'
+
+Just at that moment a figure came running towards them. It was Bessie,
+the elder of the Harper girls.
+
+'Margaret, Frances, where have you been? what have you been doing all
+this time?' she exclaimed. 'We've had ever so many games, and now tea
+will be ready directly. What are you looking so mournful about,
+Margaret, and you so excited, Frances? You haven't--oh no, you couldn't
+have been quarrelling.'
+
+The smile on both faces was sufficient answer--no, certainly they had
+not been quarrelling!
+
+'What have you been talking about, then?' said Bessie again, and she
+looked at them with considerable curiosity.
+
+Bessie was two years older than her sister. She was handsomer too, and
+much stronger. There was a bright, fearless, resolute look about her,
+very attractive and prepossessing. But she was less intellectual, less
+thoughtful, more joyous and confident, though tenderly and devotedly
+unselfish to those she loved, especially to all weak and dependent
+creatures.
+
+'Margaret has been telling me _such_ interesting things,' began Frances
+eagerly.
+
+'And Frances has been telling _me_ about--about Lady Myrtle and Robin
+Redbreast. Just fancy, Bessie, they know her! She was a very, very old
+friend of their grandmother's.'
+
+And between them the two girls soon put the elder one in possession of
+all they had been discussing.
+
+Bessie Harper's bright face grew grave; she could not blame her sister
+and Frances, but still, on the whole, she almost wished the discovery
+had not been made, though 'it was bound to come some time or other, I
+suppose,' she reflected.
+
+'I call it a perfect shame!' said Frances, her cheeks flaming up again.
+'To think of that horrid old woman having more money than she knows what
+to do with, and keeping it all to herself, when it _really_ belongs--a
+good part of it, at least--to your father.'
+
+'No, no,' said Bessie, 'we can't say that. Our great-grandfather had a
+right to do what he did with his money. And if he _had_ left it to our
+grandfather, it would all have been wasted, most likely.'
+
+'If he had known how good _father_ was going to be, he'd have left it to
+him, I daresay,' said Margaret.
+
+'He couldn't have known that,' said Bessie with a merry laugh. 'Father
+wasn't born when he died.'
+
+'No, but just because of that, Lady Myrtle should make up for it now,'
+said Frances. 'I daresay I shouldn't call her "horrid," and of course
+she's your aunt, and I can scarcely believe she _does_ know all about
+you. Perhaps she never got your other aunt's letter.'
+
+'Oh yes, she did,' said Bessie. 'She answered it by sending it back
+with a note saying that none of the descendants of the late Bernard
+Harper were kith or kin of hers.'
+
+'How wicked!' exclaimed Frances.
+
+'No, no, it's not right to say that, Frances dear,' said both sisters.
+'Father says,' Bessie went on, 'that no one knows what her brothers made
+her suffer, and how good she was to them, standing between them and her
+father, and devoting herself to them, and hoping against hope, even
+about our grandfather, till I suppose she _had_ to give him up. It is
+awfully sad, and for her sake as well as ours, mother and I have often
+said how we wished she knew father. He would make up to her for the
+disappointment in her brothers.'
+
+'Isn't Lord Elvedon nice?' asked Frances; 'that's her other nephew,
+isn't he?'
+
+'Oh yes, I think he's a good sort of a man, but not clever,' said
+Bessie. 'Not like _father_.'
+
+'And then our boys,' added Margaret. 'They are so good and so clever.'
+
+Her pale little face flushed with rosy pleasure.
+
+'How nice!' said Frances, with ready sympathy. 'How many brothers have
+you?'
+
+'Two big--older than we are, and one little one of eleven. There are six
+of us,' Margaret replied.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+BESSIE'S MISGIVINGS.
+
+
+But just then came the sound of approaching voices.
+
+'Bessie, Bessie, where are you? Haven't you found them? Tea's quite
+ready.'
+
+And Bessie started. She had forgotten the errand on which she had come.
+
+'Oh, we must be quick!' she said. 'That's Honor and the others calling
+us; I forgot how the time was going. But Frances, I must speak to you
+for a moment before you go. Don't forget.'
+
+And then the three ran off to rejoin their companions.
+
+Never had Frances enjoyed herself more, her only regret being that
+Jacinth was not there to share her pleasure. There was the element of
+novelty to add zest to the whole, and then as the 'boarders' looked upon
+her as in some sense their guest, they vied with each other in making
+much of her--for her own sake too, for Frances was a great favourite, a
+much greater favourite than her sister, among their companions. It is to
+be doubted if Frances would have enjoyed herself quite as much had
+Jacinth been with her. For not only did Jacinth's rather cold, stand-off
+manner destroy any geniality towards herself; it often acted on Frances
+as a sort of tacit reproach to her own overflowing spirits.
+
+And through all the little girl's fun and merriment there ran the
+consciousness of the trust reposed in her by the Harpers. She was full
+of intense interest in their family history; it was really quite like a
+story in a book, she kept saying to herself, and she felt bursting with
+eagerness to relate it all to Jacinth.
+
+How good and delightful they must all be, Bessie and Margaret's father
+and mother, and brothers and sisters! It was easy to believe it, the
+girls were so nice themselves! How lovely it would be if, somehow, she,
+or Jacinth and she, could be the means of healing the family breach and
+introducing her relations to Lady Myrtle, so that in the end they might
+be restored to their lost rights. For 'rights' Frances was determined to
+consider them, in her vehement young judgment and hot partisanship of
+her friends.
+
+'It is not fair or just!' she said to herself; 'it is shameful that they
+and their father should suffer for their _grandfather's_ fault. But
+nobody could help seeing how good they are: if only Lady Myrtle knew
+them it would all be right. I wonder how would be the best way to tell
+her? Jacinth will know--she is so much cleverer than I, and then she is
+sure to be Lady Myrtle's favourite. I am glad she is, for in spite of
+what Bessie and Margaret say, I don't feel as if I could ever like that
+old lady.'
+
+And her eagerness to go home and talk it all over with 'Jass,' made her,
+notwithstanding her enjoyment of the afternoon, scarcely sorry when one
+of Miss Scarlett's servants came out to tell her that her maid had
+called to fetch her.
+
+She said good-bye to her companions and ran in for a moment, by old Miss
+Scarlett's special desire, to the drawing-room, where the ladies were
+sitting. They kissed her affectionately.
+
+'I've been so happy,' she said. 'We've had such beautiful games; I've
+not had such fun for ever so long.'
+
+'I am so glad, my dear child,' said the eldest lady, and she smoothed
+the little girl's soft hair. 'You must come again and see something of
+your companions out of lesson hours as well as in the schoolroom.'
+
+Frances's eyes sparkled with pleasure.
+
+'I would like it very much,' she said.
+
+'What is your sister about this afternoon?' said Miss Marcia. 'Perhaps
+she does not care so much about games and romping as you do?'
+
+'No, she doesn't,' replied Frances, bluntly. 'This afternoon she's gone
+with Aunt Alison to the girls' club.'
+
+'Very nice,' said Miss Scarlett, approvingly. 'Jacinth is a thoughtful
+girl and older than her years, in some ways. Is she interested already
+in Miss Mildmay's good works?'
+
+The old lady was pleased to hear of any bond of sympathy likely to draw
+the aunt and niece together, for much as she respected Miss Mildmay, she
+had had strong doubts of her fitness for the charge of the girls, and
+considerable misgivings as to their happiness with her. And Miss
+Scarlett was old-fashioned, and but for her native kindliness of _heart_
+she might almost have been prejudiced and narrow-minded. She scarcely
+belonged to the present generation. Her youth had been passed in a
+somewhat restricted groove, where the Lady Bountiful notions of
+benevolent work among the poor were still predominant. Her sisters, a
+good many years her juniors, had to a certain extent assimilated modern
+ideas.
+
+Frances hesitated. She could not bear in the least to decry her dear
+'Jass,' and yet she knew that her sister had so far troubled her head
+very little, if at all, about her aunt's girls' club or other
+philanthropic undertakings.
+
+'Aunt Alison doesn't tell us much about all these things,' she said.
+'To-day was the first time she asked Jacinth to go with her, but Jass
+was very pleased indeed, and I'm sure she'll like to be of use.'
+
+Miss Scarlett smiled. She was quick of perception in some ways; she
+understood the little girl's loyal admiration of her sister, and again
+she patted her fair head.
+
+'Well,' she said, encouragingly, 'sometimes, I hope, Jacinth may like to
+spend a holiday afternoon with us. But tell her and your aunt from me,
+that if ever they are at a loss what to do with _you_, Frances, Miss
+Mildmay must let me know. We can manage a good run in the garden even in
+wintry weather, and there _are_ such things as blindman's-buff and
+hide-and-seek in the house sometimes.'
+
+'Thank you _very_ much,' said Frances. 'I think--I would like to come
+sometimes on Saturdays, for, besides going with Aunt Alison, I shouldn't
+wonder if--I daresay Jass may have often to go'----She stopped and
+hesitated, and finally blushed. 'I don't think I can explain,' she said.
+
+'Never mind, my dear,' said Miss Marcia, coming to the rescue, with a
+vague idea that perhaps Jacinth had some private charities of her own in
+prospect which she did not wish talked about. 'Give Miss Scarlett's
+message to your aunt and sister, and good-bye till Monday morning.'
+
+Frances ran off, much relieved in her mind.
+
+'But I really must be careful how I talk,' she reflected sagely. 'I had
+quite forgotten that I wasn't to chatter about Lady Myrtle--except to
+Bessie and Margaret. Jacinth said I might really count them my friends,
+and that means being able to tell them anything I like. Besides, how
+could I have helped telling Margaret about Lady Myrtle, when she told me
+all the story of her being their great-aunt?'
+
+Her conscience nevertheless was not absolutely at rest, and joined to
+her eagerness to tell her sister all she had heard of the Harpers'
+family history was now a slight fear of Jacinth's considering her
+indiscreet, and she was so preoccupied that, as she hurried out to the
+hall, where Phebe was waiting, she almost ran against Bessie, who was
+eagerly watching for her.
+
+'Frances,' she said, 'I must speak to you a moment. I asked Miss Linley,
+and she let me run in, and she said I might walk down to the gate with
+you.' There was rather a long drive up to the door of Ivy Lodge.
+'Listen, dear; it's this. I can't bear to ask you to keep anything a
+secret from your aunt or your sister, but _sometimes_ secrets may be
+right, if they concern other people and are not about anything in any
+way wrong. And I don't see what else to do. It is this--would you mind
+promising me not to tell _anybody_ about Lady Myrtle Goodacre being our
+relation, till I have written home to mother and told her that you and
+Jacinth know her, and about your grandmother having been her dear
+friend? I am _so_ afraid of doing harm, or vexing father, for though he
+is so good, he is--very proud, you know, and--he could not bear it
+to--to come round to Lady Myrtle that we were talking about her,
+or--thinking about her money.'
+
+Bessie's face by this time was crimson. Frances opened her mouth as if
+about to speak, then shut it again, and gazed at Bessie with a variety
+of contradictory feelings looking out of her blue eyes. There was
+disappointment, strong disappointment that her wonderful schemes for
+bringing the Harpers and their old relative together threatened thus to
+be nipped in the bud; there was disappointment, too, that she was not to
+have the pleasure and importance of relating the story 'just like one
+in a book' to her sister; and yet there was considerable relief, born of
+her recently aroused misgiving as to how Jacinth would look upon her
+confidences with Margaret.
+
+Bessie meanwhile stood looking at her in undisguised anxiety.
+
+'It doesn't matter a bit about Aunt Alison,' Frances at last blurted
+out. 'We're not at all bound to tell her everything; mamma knows she
+wouldn't understand or take the trouble to listen. And so, when we came
+here, mamma said we must just do the best we could. I've always told
+Jass everything, and we write long, _long_ letters to mamma. We tell
+her--at least I do--everything that puzzles us, even things I can't
+understand about--about religion,' and here Frances grew red. 'Though
+that's _one_ thing that's better here than at Stannesley; the Bible
+classes are so nice.'
+
+'But Frances,' repeated Bessie, 'about not telling Jacinth? It is only
+till I write to mother and get her answer. And I'm not asking you to
+hide anything wrong; it's really our own family affairs.'
+
+'I know,' said Frances. 'No, I don't think it could be wrong to
+promise.'
+
+'Put it this way,' said Bessie: 'suppose you had, by some sort of
+accident, overheard anything about other people, you wouldn't at all
+think you were bound to tell Jacinth. Well, you see it was a _little_
+like that; Margaret shouldn't by rights have told you without asking
+mamma.'
+
+'I see,' said Frances. 'Well then, Bessie, I promise not to tell anybody
+till you give me leave. Only, you won't count my writing it all to
+mamma? I write the most of my weekly letter to her on Sunday, so I'd
+like to know, because to-morrow's Sunday, you see.'
+
+'_Of course_,' said Bessie with the utmost heartiness, '_of course_ you
+must write everything to your mother, just as I shall to mamma. Thank
+you so much, dear Francie, for understanding so well. And--and--just one
+other little thing--don't you think, just now, it will be better for you
+and Margaret not to talk about Lady Myrtle to each other? I mean if she
+invites you to Robin Redbreast and you go, I don't think you'd better
+tell Margaret. She's not very strong, and she thinks of things so, once
+she gets them in her head. She's different from me. I can put them right
+away.'
+
+And Bessie gave herself a little shake and stood there, all the anxiety
+gone out of her face, bright, fearless, and handsome as usual.
+
+Frances, however, gave a little sigh.
+
+'Very well,' she said, 'I won't speak about it any more to Margaret if
+you think I'd better not. But it's rather hard not to have any one I can
+tell about it, when I've been so interested.'
+
+And Frances's face grew very doleful.
+
+Bessie Harper looked and felt sorry for her. She knew what a warm
+faithful little heart she had to do with, and unaware as she was of
+Frances's slight fear of Jacinth's displeasure, she perhaps
+overestimated the trial it was to the younger sister to be debarred from
+giving her confidences to the elder one.
+
+'I'm very sorry,' she said, sympathisingly. 'I really am very sorry
+indeed. But still I'm sure it's better for Jacinth not to know about it
+till I hear what mother says. You see she _may_ be invited to Lady
+Myrtle's any day, and if anything about the Elvedons or our family was
+said, it would be impossible for her not to feel uncomfortable
+and--and--not open, you know, unless she told what Margaret told you,
+and that might be just what father would dislike.'
+
+'And suppose _I_ go to Robin Redbreast too,' said Frances, 'what am I to
+do?'
+
+'I thought you said Jacinth was the one who would go,' said Bessie.
+
+'Oh well,' replied Frances, who had raised the difficulty partly out of
+half-petulant contradiction, 'I am pretty sure it will be Jass. I don't
+think Lady Myrtle noticed me much, and I don't want to go. I don't like
+her; at least I don't care about her unless she could be made nice to
+you. And any way she wouldn't ask _me_ questions, even if by chance she
+did hear your name'----
+
+'And Jacinth isn't the least likely to speak about us, as things are. So
+it's all right; and any way, Frances, you can write a very long letter
+to your mother to-morrow.'
+
+'Yes,' the little girl agreed. 'That's better than nothing; only, just
+think of the weeks and weeks before I can get an answer! Whatever other
+troubles you have, Bessie, you _are_ lucky to have your father and
+mother in England, and to know them. I don't know mamma for myself a
+bit; only by her letters, and because I just feel she _must_ be very
+good and kind. When I was very little it seemed something like--no,
+perhaps you wouldn't understand'----
+
+'I think I would,' said Bessie, who was eager to make up by every means
+in her power for any distress she was causing to her friend. 'Tell me.'
+
+'I was only thinking what queer feelings children have,' said Frances.
+'When I was little, before I had ever seen mamma--of course I can
+remember her since the time I _did_ see her, five years ago, and since
+then she has seemed real--but before that, it was only a kind of faith.
+Writing letters to her was a very little--don't think it's naughty of me
+to say it--a very little like saying our prayers. They went out, away to
+somewhere, to some one I'd never seen; just like, you know, when we
+pray.'
+
+'Yes,' said Bessie gently, 'but the answers came.'
+
+'I know,' replied Frances simply. 'And sometimes I think it helped to
+make me feel that there is something _real_ in saying our prayers. But I
+must go.'
+
+'And so must I,' said Bessie. 'And thank you, dear Francie.'
+
+She kissed the little face affectionately, and then hastened back to her
+companions.
+
+'I do love Frances,' she thought. 'Somehow, I don't feel as if I could
+ever love Jacinth quite as much. I do hope all this won't bother the
+poor little thing. I should make Margaret unhappy if I blamed her for
+having told Frances, and I scarcely see how she could have helped it. It
+isn't as if we were in disgrace,' and Bessie threw back her head
+proudly. 'We have no secrets: father's whole life and character are
+_grand_; and rather than have that horrid old Lady Myrtle--there, now,
+I'm calling her just what I told Frances she mustn't--rather than have
+her thinking _we_ want her money, I'd--I don't know what I wouldn't do.
+If only'----And here poor Bessie's heroics broke down a little. There
+came before her a vision of 'father' with his crutch--for he had been
+wounded in the hip and was very lame--with the lines of suffering on his
+face, showing through the cheery smile which it was seldom without; and
+of 'mother' in her well-worn black poplin, which she used to declare
+was 'never going to look shabby,' planning and contriving how to send
+the two girls, neatly and sufficiently provided for, to school, when the
+wonderful chance of a year at Miss Scarlett's had so unexpectedly come
+in their way.
+
+Bessie's eyes filled with tears.
+
+'I'd do anything for them,' she thought. 'I'd go to be Lady Myrtle's
+companion or lady's-maid or _anything_, if it would do any good. It's
+all very well to be "proud," but I'm afraid my pride would melt very
+quickly if I could see any way to help them. But I'm glad I stopped
+Frances talking about it; it really might have done harm. I must write a
+long letter to mother. I wonder if I can begin it to-night?'
+
+Frances, escorted by Phebe, made her way home in greater silence for
+some minutes than was usual with her. She was revolving many things in
+her fluffy little head.
+
+'Had they come in when you started to fetch me?' she inquired at last of
+the maid.
+
+'Not yet, Miss Frances. Miss Mildmay gave me orders to go for you at
+half-past six, before she went out. But I don't think they'll be long.
+Late tea is ordered for half-past seven, and Miss Mildmay is never
+behind time on Saturday evenings.'
+
+'I don't mind whether they're in or not--not much,' said Frances. 'I
+don't want any more tea. I suppose Eugene has had his?'
+
+'Yes, Miss Frances, his tea and an egg. He was very pleased. Master
+Eugene does enjoy a nice boiled fresh egg. I think you'll have to go
+down to late tea, though, Miss Frances; perhaps Miss Mildmay wouldn't be
+pleased if you didn't; and perhaps'----
+
+'Nonsense, Phebe,' said her young mistress; 'Aunt Alison doesn't care.
+You speak as if she was like a mamma, wanting to have us beside her
+always. She's had Miss Jacinth all the afternoon, and she likes her
+better than me. I'm sure she wouldn't care if she never saw me again.
+Well, no; perhaps I shouldn't say that, for she's quite kind. She was
+very kind about letting me go this afternoon, and sending you to take me
+and to fetch me, Phebe.'
+
+'Yes, Miss Frances,' began Phebe, again with some hesitation, 'it was
+just that I was thinking about. If you go down to tea just as usual,
+nice and neat, it'll make it more likely that she will let you go again.
+It will show that a little change now and then will do you no harm, nor
+get you out of regular ways, so to say, Miss Frances.'
+
+'Very well,' the child agreed; 'I don't care much one way or another. Oh
+Phebe,' she went on, brightening up again--it would have been difficult
+to depress Francie for long--'we had such fun this afternoon;' and she
+went into some particulars of the games, which Phebe listened to with
+great interest. 'I wish Aunt Alison would _sometimes_ let us have
+friends to play with us. We could have beautiful "I spy" in the garden.'
+
+'Yes, Miss Frances, so you could,' agreed Phebe.
+
+'You see at Stannesley there were really no children, no girls any way
+near our age except the Vicar's daughter, and though she came to have
+tea with us sometimes it wasn't much pleasure--not _fun_, at least.
+She's a little older than Miss Jacinth, and oh, Phebe, she's so
+_awfully_ deaf. It's almost like not hearing at all.'
+
+'Poor young lady!' said Phebe, sympathisingly.
+
+'Yes, isn't it sad? And so, you see, the one thing we were glad of about
+coming here--I was, any way--was about going to school; just what some
+girls wouldn't have liked. I've always wanted so to have some
+companions, only it isn't half as much good having them if you only see
+them at lessons. I don't think Miss Jacinth minds. She was pleased to go
+to school because of learning better and finding out how much other
+girls know compared with us, but I don't think she minds the way I do.'
+
+She had almost forgotten whom she was speaking to, or indeed that she
+was speaking aloud, and half started when Phebe replied again to this
+long speech.
+
+'It's just because of that, Miss Frances,' said the girl, 'that I was
+thinking how nice it will be if you're invited sometimes to play with
+the young ladies of a holiday afternoon like to-day. And if I were you,
+I'd take care to show Miss Mildmay that it doesn't unsettle you, and I'd
+just put out of my mind about having any young ladies to come to you.
+It'd not suit your aunt's ways.'
+
+'No,' said Frances, 'I suppose not. It's only really the Harpers I care
+about,' she added to herself. 'And now,' she went on thinking, 'with
+this muddle about the old lady at Robin Redbreast--if their mother
+doesn't want her to know about them, perhaps it's best for Jacinth not
+to see them much. And I'll have to forget what Margaret told me, after
+I've written to mamma. I want to remember it _exactly_ to tell her.'
+
+She sighed a little. Almost for the first time Frances began to realise
+that, even when one is possessed of the purest motives and the best
+intentions, life may be a complicated business. Right and wrong are not
+always written up before us on conspicuous finger-posts, as we fancy in
+childhood will be the case. There are shades and modifications, wisdom
+and unwisdom; apparently, though, thank God, only 'apparently,'
+conflicting duties, whose rival claims it is not always easy to measure.
+And it is not till some stages later in our journey that we come to see
+how our own prejudices or shortsightedness or self-will are really at
+the root of the perplexity. For God demands no impossibilities. As has
+been quaintly said, 'He neither expects us to be in two places at once,
+nor to put twenty-five hours' work into twenty-four.'
+
+To do what is the least agreeable to us, though far from an invariable
+rule, is often a safe one. Frances would have liked to run up-stairs to
+the nursery, and to sit down there and then to the long letter to
+'mamma,' to the outpouring of confidence to the almost unknown friend
+she had learned to trust. But common-sense and a certain docility, which
+was strongly developed in her, in spite of her superficial
+self-assertion and blunt, even abrupt outspokenness, made her yield to
+Phebe's advice.
+
+And it was a neat, composed-looking little maiden who met her aunt and
+sister on their return half an hour or so later, somewhat tired and
+fagged by their rather tedious afternoon's work.
+
+'I am glad you are back, my dear,' said her aunt. 'I wished afterwards I
+had made a point of your not keeping Phebe waiting, as I had forgotten
+that Eugene would be alone, and I am always afraid of any accident with
+the fire, or anything of that kind.'
+
+'I did keep her waiting a little,' said Frances, honestly. 'But I've
+been back a good while. I've heard Eugene his Sunday lessons: he knows
+them quite well. And I think tea is quite ready, Aunt Alison.'
+
+'That's right,' Miss Mildmay replied. 'You may ring for it to be brought
+in, while Jacinth and I take off our things.--Frances seems none the
+worse for her visit,' she added to her elder niece as they made their
+way up-stairs. 'I shall not object to her going to Ivy Lodge sometimes
+in this way, if it does not make her rough or hoydenish.'
+
+'I don't think there is much fear of her learning anything of that kind
+from the _boarders_,' said Jacinth, gratified by her aunt's confidential
+tone. 'I shouldn't be so sure of the day-scholars, but you know, Aunt
+Alison, the Miss Scarletts keep them very distinct. It is a--well,' with
+a little smile, 'a great compliment for Francie to be asked this way.'
+
+'The Miss Scarletts have plenty of discrimination,' her aunt replied.
+'They know that my nieces--your father's daughters--going to any school,
+especially a day-school, is a great compliment to that school.'
+
+It was not often that Miss Mildmay indulged in any expression of her
+underlying family pride. It suited Jacinth's ideas 'down to the ground.'
+
+'Yes, of course,' she agreed quietly. 'Still the school _is_ an
+exceptional one. I think Frances is learning to understand some things
+better,' she went on. 'But of course she is _very_ young for her age. At
+first she was far too ready to rush into bosom friendships and
+enthusiastic admirations and all that sort of thing. And she perfectly
+adores games,' with a slight intonation of contempt.
+
+'_You_ don't?' said Miss Mildmay, smiling. 'There is nothing to be
+ashamed of in liking games, if not allowed to go too far.'
+
+'I think it must be born in some people,' said Jacinth. 'It isn't
+laziness that makes me not care for them. For I love riding and long
+walks and dancing. Only, somehow, I feel so much _older_.'
+
+'I can sympathise with you,' said her aunt. 'I have never been able to
+care for any game that ever was invented. So I have not been victimising
+you this afternoon, you are sure?'
+
+'Oh indeed, no,' replied Jacinth heartily.
+
+On the whole the domestic atmosphere in Market Square Place seemed more
+genial.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+AN INVITATION.
+
+
+Jacinth was quick of observation. They had not been many minutes seated
+at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or
+rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking
+much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
+
+She glanced at Frances once or twice inquiringly, then she tried to draw
+her into the conversation, but only succeeded in extracting
+monosyllables in reply. Still her sister did not look depressed,
+certainly not cross; it was much more as if her thoughts were elsewhere.
+
+'What are you dreaming about, Frances?' said Jacinth at last with a
+touch of sharpness. 'Are you very tired?'
+
+'Did you not enjoy yourself this afternoon?' asked Miss Mildmay,
+following suit.
+
+Frances started, and pulled herself together.
+
+'Oh yes,' she said, '_very_ much. I never enjoyed myself more. I was
+only--oh, I was only thinking of things.'
+
+'What sort of things?' asked her aunt good-humouredly. 'Had you much
+grave and learned discussion at Ivy Lodge?'
+
+Frances reddened a little.
+
+'We did talk quietly part of the time,' she said. 'We weren't playing
+games _all_ the afternoon. I was a good while walking up and down with
+Margaret, and afterwards with Bessie.'
+
+Miss Mildmay glanced inquiringly at her elder niece.
+
+'Yes,' said Jacinth, replying to the unspoken question. 'Those are the
+girls Frances is so fond of--the Harpers.'
+
+'Oh yes, I remember,' said Miss Mildmay. 'Their mother is an old friend
+of the Scarletts, and the good souls were delighted to take the girls
+at'----She stopped suddenly, aware that she had been on the point of
+betraying a confidence, realising, too, that the subject of it was
+scarcely suited for her young auditors, for Frances especially. But in
+her slight confusion she stumbled on the very thing she was anxious to
+avoid, so that it required little 'putting of two and two together' for
+Jacinth to complete to herself, with an inward smile, her aunt's
+broken-off sentence. 'They are not--the Harpers, I mean--they are not at
+all well off, and--a large family, I fancy,' Miss Mildmay went on.
+
+'No,' said Frances in her clear young voice, rather to her hearers'
+surprise, 'no, they are not _at all_ rich.'
+
+Then she started, grew crimson, and looked round in affright: had she
+said something she should not have said? A strange, silly, nervous
+feeling came over her; as if she must, in another moment, burst into
+tears.
+
+'Frances,' said Jacinth, 'what are you looking so terrified about?
+There's no harm in what you said. It's no secret; Aunt Alison said it
+herself first.'
+
+Her tone was not unkindly, though slightly sharp. But a look of relief
+overspread her sister's face.
+
+'No, of course not. I'm very silly,' she murmured.
+
+'I think you must be a little over-tired,' said Miss Mildmay vaguely.
+She had not specially noticed Frances's expression. 'I wonder,' she went
+on, 'I wonder if those Harpers are any relation to the Elvedons? I
+can't quite remember what Miss Scarlett said about them. It was their
+mother she was interested in, though--not their father. If they were
+Elvedon Harpers, Lady Myrtle would know about them; at least'----
+
+'Harper isn't at all an uncommon name,' interrupted Jacinth.
+
+But Miss Mildmay did not resent the little discourtesy--her mind was
+pursuing its own train of thought. 'I don't know that it _would_ follow
+that she could know anything of them,' she said. 'Some of the last
+generation of Harpers were sadly unsatisfactory, and I believe the old
+man, Lady Myrtle's father, disinherited one or more of his sons. So if
+you ever go to Robin Redbreast, girls, I think it would be just as well
+not to mention your school-fellows of the name.'
+
+Jacinth shot a rather triumphant glance at her sister.
+
+'It is generally better, and more well-bred, not to begin about "Are you
+related to the so-and-so's?" or "I have friends of your name," and
+remarks like that; isn't it, Aunt Alison?' she said. 'I was telling
+Frances so, only yesterday.'
+
+Frances reddened again.
+
+'Well, yes,' said Miss Mildmay. 'Still, one cannot make a hard and fast
+rule about such matters. It calls for a little tact.'
+
+She was very inconsistent; who is not? Something in Jacinth's premature
+wisdom--almost savouring of 'worldly' wisdom--rather repelled her,
+careful and unimpulsive though she herself was. Then she felt annoyed
+with her own annoyance: it was unjust to blame the girl, when she
+herself had been inculcating caution.
+
+'In this case,' she added, 'I am sure it is best to keep off family
+affairs, you being so young and Lady Myrtle Goodacre so old; and as I
+know, there have been sore spots in her history.'
+
+Then she rose from the table.
+
+'Francie, dear, I think you had better go to bed early. You _are_
+looking tired,' she said kindly, and as she kissed the little girl she
+almost fancied--was it fancy?--that she felt a touch of dew on her
+cheek.
+
+'I'm afraid I don't understand children at all,' she thought to herself,
+though with a little sigh. 'What in the world can Frances be crying
+about?'
+
+Jacinth, once they were alone, did not spare her sister.
+
+'I do think you are too silly,' she said. 'If you go on so oddly after
+having an afternoon's play, I am sure Aunt Alison won't let you go
+again. First you seemed half asleep, then you jumped and looked
+terrified for nothing at all, and now you are actually crying. What _is_
+the matter?'
+
+'I didn't mean'----began Frances.
+
+'I believe it's those girls,' continued Jacinth, working herself up to
+rare irritation, for as a rule she was gentle to her sister. 'They
+really seem to bewitch you. Are you crying because you're not a boarder
+at school, so that you could be always beside them?' she added
+ironically.
+
+'No, of course not. I wouldn't be so silly,' said Frances, with a touch
+of her usual spirit.
+
+'Then what _are_ you crying about?'
+
+Frances murmured something about 'thinking Jacinth was vexed with her.'
+
+'Nonsense,' said Jacinth. 'You know I wasn't in the least till you got
+so silly. I don't understand you to-night one bit, but I will say I
+think it has something to do with the Harpers, and if they begin coming
+between you and me, Frances, I shall end by really disliking them.'
+
+'I think you dislike them already,' retorted Frances, 'and I'm sure I
+don't know why.'
+
+To this Jacinth vouchsafed no reply. She would have said the accusation
+was not worth noticing. But yet at the bottom of her heart she knew
+there was something in it. A vague, ridiculous, unfounded sort of
+jealousy of the Harpers had begun to insinuate itself.
+
+'I wish their name had been anything else,' she said to herself. 'I
+don't believe they are really any relation to Lady Myrtle--at least not
+anything countable. But it is so disagreeable to have the feeling of
+knowing anything of people who _may_ be--well, rather objectionable
+relations of hers. Well, no; perhaps that's putting it too strong. I
+mean relations she doesn't want to have to do with, and I don't see why
+she _should_ want to have to do with them. I shall take care, I know,
+not to speak of them to her, for it would only annoy her, and it's no
+business of mine. I do wish Frances hadn't taken them up so, she is so
+silly sometimes.'
+
+Frances on her side began to think she had gone too far. She glanced up
+at Jacinth, and saw that her face was very grave.
+
+'Jass,' she said, stealing up to her and speaking in a soft apologetic
+tone, 'I'm very sorry for being cross. I think I _am_ rather tired,
+though I did so enjoy myself this afternoon. Perhaps I'd better go to
+bed, for I want to write most of my letter to mamma to-morrow. I want to
+write her a good long one this time.'
+
+'Very well,' said Jacinth as graciously as she could. 'I'm sure I
+haven't meant to be cross either, Francie; but--I don't like the idea of
+_any one_ coming between you and me.'
+
+'Of course not; nobody _could_, never,' said Frances eagerly. 'Kiss me,
+Jass. I really don't know what made me begin to cry; it was a mixture.'
+
+Her voice trembled a little again. In terror of incurring Jacinth's
+displeasure, Frances tugged at her pocket-handkerchief. Out came, for
+the second time that day, the old Christmas card.
+
+'What's that?' said Jacinth.
+
+Frances smoothed it out and showed it her, reminding her of its history.
+
+'I think it was that that made me feel rather--queer--this afternoon,
+first,' she said. 'It brought things back so.'
+
+'Well, dear, go to bed and have a good night. And to-morrow you'll be
+fresh for a nice long letter to mamma in the afternoon, when we come
+back from the children's service; there's always plenty of time. I want
+to write her a long letter too.'
+
+The letters were written, neither sister reading the other's. This was a
+recognised rule, and a wise one, as it kept each child more directly in
+touch with the absent mother, and also enabled her to judge of her
+children's gradually developing characters. The very way in which the
+same occurrence was related by each threw many an unsuspected light on
+the 'Jacinth' and 'Frances' she had personally so sadly little knowledge
+of.
+
+And then for some days life at Number 9 Market Square Place, which had
+been to a certain extent enlivened or disturbed, seemed to revert again
+to its usual monotony. It was almost like a dream to Jacinth to recall
+the strange visit to the quaint old house and the unexpected confidences
+of Lady Myrtle Goodacre; the more so that she had at first allowed her
+imagination to run wild on all the possibilities thus opened up. And to
+Frances it was even more bewildering to remember the glimpse vouchsafed
+to her by her young friends into their past family history. For though
+they were both as affectionate and friendly as before--more so, indeed,
+it seemed to her--neither by word nor allusion was the Saturday's
+conversation referred to. Margaret had evidently promised Bessie to keep
+off the subject, and Frances of course could but do the same.
+
+'Perhaps,' she thought to herself, 'they will never speak of it again to
+me; perhaps that is what their mother has told them she wished. But
+after all, it doesn't look as if this would much matter, for there is no
+sign that Lady Myrtle means to take any more notice of us, not even of
+poor Jass. I'm not surprised; any one that can be so unkind about her
+own relations _can't_ be very nice.'
+
+Frances was sorry for Jacinth, and a little disappointed for herself,
+and there had still lingered in her some dim hopes that possibly
+_somehow_ their own acquaintance with the old lady might have been of
+use to her friends. Jacinth, though she said nothing, was feeling very
+chagrined indeed, and not a little bitter.
+
+What could have happened to change Lady Myrtle so? Could it be that she
+was really very fanciful and whimsical? It scarcely seemed so,
+considering that she had written so promptly to Miss Mildmay, not losing
+even one post! And this thought suggested another explanation. Could
+their aunt's letter in reply have contained something to annoy the old
+lady? Jacinth began to be very much afraid it must be so, and it made
+her very vexed with Miss Mildmay, though she did not in the least
+suppose it had been done _intentionally_.
+
+'Aunt Alison is perfectly straightforward,' thought the girl. 'If she
+meant to stop our going to Robin Redbreast, she would have said so right
+out. But she may have written in a stiff, stuck-up way, as if it would
+be a great favour to let us go, which would very likely offend Lady
+Myrtle. I do think she might have told me what she said.'
+
+And but for Miss Mildmay's being particularly busy that week, and very
+engrossed by some unexpected difficulties which had arisen in connection
+with one of her benevolent works, she could scarcely have failed to
+notice Jacinth's extremely icy manner and unusual silence.
+
+But on Friday morning came a thaw.
+
+Miss Mildmay looked up with a smile--her smiles were somewhat rare, but
+not without a certain charm--as the girls entered the dining-room,
+_even_ though they were too late for prayers.
+
+'We are so sorry, Aunt Alison,' said Frances eagerly. 'We _just_ got to
+the door in time to be too late.'
+
+'Well, I must forgive you, for I cannot say that it often happens.
+And--I have something to tell you, Jacinth,' was the gracious reply.
+
+Two things had pleased Miss Mildmay that morning: a letter with the
+welcome news that, thanks to her judicious management, the difficulty
+alluded to had been got over, and another letter from Lady Myrtle
+Goodacre, with a cordial invitation to her elder niece. For Miss Mildmay
+herself, though it was not her way to express such things, had felt a
+little annoyed and considerably surprised at no further communication
+from the owner of Robin Redbreast.
+
+Now, however, all was cleared up. The old lady had been ill,
+'otherwise,' she wrote with studied courtesy, 'she had hoped before this
+to have had the pleasure of calling.' But under the circumstances she
+felt sure that Miss Mildmay would excuse her, and in proof of this,
+would she allow her niece Jacinth to spend Sunday at Robin Redbreast? by
+which she explained that she meant from Saturday to Monday morning.
+
+'My carriage shall call for her about noon,' wrote Lady Myrtle, 'and she
+shall be sent home, or straight to school, at any hour she names on
+Monday.'
+
+Jacinth's eyes sparkled. This was just the sort of thing she had been
+hoping for, but with the self-restraint peculiar to her, unusual in one
+so young, she said nothing till her aunt directly addressed her, after
+reading aloud Lady Myrtle's note.
+
+'Well, what do you say to it? Would you like to go?' asked Miss Mildmay.
+
+'Very much indeed,' Jacinth replied, 'except'----And as her eyes fell on
+her sister she hesitated. 'I wish Frances had been invited too,' she was
+on the point of saying, but she changed the words into, 'I hope Frances
+won't be dull without me.'
+
+'Oh no, don't think about that,' said the younger girl. 'I really and
+truly would not like to go; I shouldn't care about it in the least, and
+I am _very_ glad I'm not asked.'
+
+And Jacinth saw that Frances thoroughly meant what she said.
+
+Before the day was over, Frances felt still more glad that she had not
+been included in the invitation, for as soon as morning lessons were
+finished, and the day-scholars were getting ready to go, Bessie Harper
+came running to her with a letter in her hand.
+
+'This is for you, Frances,' she said. 'It is from my sister Camilla,
+who was here, you know, when you first came, for a little.'
+
+Frances was staring at the letter in surprise.
+
+'I scarcely knew your sister at all,' she said. 'She was so big compared
+with me--even with Jacinth.'
+
+'Ah well, you will understand when you've read it. It came inside one to
+me,' said Bessie. 'It'll be all right when you've read it. But I must
+go.' And off she ran.
+
+Frances looked again at the envelope and then deposited the letter in
+her pocket. She had a feeling that she would read it when she was alone,
+for she began to have some idea what it was about. She read it at home
+that afternoon. It ran as follows:
+
+
+                                SOUTHCLIFF, _October 7th_.
+
+     MY DEAR FRANCES--I am writing to you instead of my mother,
+     for as you and I were, though only for a short time,
+     school-fellows, we think perhaps I can explain better what
+     Bessie's letter makes us think necessary to say. Mother is
+     not vexed with Margaret for what she told you, for there is
+     nothing secret about us or our history, though there have
+     been sad things in father's family long ago, as you know.
+     Bessie told us of your kind feelings about us, and though I
+     saw so little of you, I can well believe them. But with
+     regard to our great-aunt, both my father and mother hope she
+     will hear nothing about us. Father has long left off any
+     thought of friendly relations with her. Of course there is
+     no reason why our name should not be mentioned to her by
+     yourself, or your sister, if it happened to come up in
+     conversation; but we should be sorry for her to think we
+     murmured about being poor, or that any of us ever thought of
+     her as a rich relation who might help us. So we shall all be
+     very glad indeed if you will try to forget that you know
+     anything of us Harpers except as school-fellows who will
+     always be pleased to count you a true friend. Mother wishes
+     you to do just what you think best about showing this
+     letter to your sister or not. And of course you will tell
+     your mother anything or everything about the matter. Yours
+     affectionately,
+
+                                    CAMILLA HARPER.
+
+Frances gave a sigh.
+
+'I won't show it to Jacinth,' she thought. 'Aunt Alison said it was
+better for her not to speak about the Harpers to Lady Myrtle, so there's
+no use in saying anything about them. And it's more comfortable not to
+have something in your head you're not to tell. I suppose I must try to
+put it all out of my head, but it _would_ have been nice to help to make
+that old aunt of theirs like them. I'll put the letter in an envelope
+ready addressed to mamma--that'll keep any one from touching it--and
+I'll send it to her in my next letter.'
+
+But it called for some self-control not to tell it all to her sister,
+even at the risk of her displeasure. And Frances was conscious of a very
+slight feeling of relief when Jacinth, evidently in high spirits, though
+quiet as she always was, set off in state the next day for her visit to
+Robin Redbreast.
+
+She had made up her mind to enjoy herself and to be pleased with
+everything, and it was not difficult to carry out this programme.
+Everything Lady Myrtle could think of to make her young guest feel at
+home had been done, and Jacinth was both quick to see this and most
+ready to appreciate it.
+
+She drew a deep breath of satisfaction when she found herself seated in
+Lady Myrtle's comfortable brougham, which, though a trifle
+old-fashioned, was, like everything belonging to the Robin Redbreast
+establishment, thoroughly good of its kind.
+
+'It is like being at Stannesley again,' thought Jacinth, 'only poor
+granny's carriage and horses, and old Simpson the coachman, weren't half
+so nice as all this is.'
+
+And, to confess the truth, I think a passing regret went through her
+that the road to her destination lay straight out from the town on the
+Market Square Place side, so that there was no chance of her meeting any
+of her school-fellows and giving them a smiling nod of recognition.
+
+The door was opened by the neat parlour-maid, but behind her
+appeared--to do special honour to the young lady, no doubt--a
+functionary whom Jacinth had not seen before--no less a personage than
+Mr Thornley, Lady Myrtle's old, not to say aged butler. He came forward
+gently rubbing his hands, and bending with a decorous mixture of
+paternal solicitude and deference which Jacinth by no means objected to,
+though it made her inclined to smile a little.
+
+'Miss Mildmay, I presume?'
+
+'Miss Mildmay' was quite equal to the occasion. She bent her head
+graciously.
+
+'Her ladyship is awaiting you in her boudoir, if you will have the
+goodness to follow me,' the old man proceeded.
+
+They were standing in the hall. It was large--at least it seemed so in
+comparison with the impression given by the outside of the house, which
+Jacinth knew so well, and which was really cottage-like. The hall was
+wainscoted in oak half-way up, where the panels met a bluish-green
+Japanese-looking paper. A really old oriental paper it was, such as is
+not even nowadays to be procured in England, so thickly covered with
+tracery of leaves and flowers and birds and butterflies in a delightful
+tangle, that the underlying colour was more felt than seen. A short
+staircase of wide shallow steps ran up one side, disappearing apparently
+into the wall, and up this staircase, rather to Jacinth's surprise--for
+there were several doors in the hall leading, no doubt, to the principal
+ground-floor rooms--stepped Thornley in a gingerly manner till he
+reached the little landing at the top. There he threw open a door,
+papered like the walls so cleverly as to be invisible when closed,
+though it was a good-sized door--wide and high. And as soon as the girl,
+following behind, caught sight of the vista now revealed, she wondered
+no more, as she had been doing, at Lady Myrtle's choosing an up-stairs
+room for her boudoir.
+
+'In a town it would be different,' Jacinth had been saying to herself,
+'but in the country it's so much nicer to be able to get out into the
+garden at once.'
+
+But she did not understand the peculiar architecture of Robin Redbreast.
+A glow of colour met her eyes, for the door in the wall opened on to a
+gallery, three sides of which ran round an inner hall on the
+ground-floor, while the fourth--that facing her--was all conservatory,
+and conservatory of the most perfect kind. The girl started,
+half-dazzled by the unexpected radiance, and drew a quick breath of
+satisfaction, as the butler passed along the side of the gallery and
+threw open a door leading in among the flowers--she, following closely,
+lingered a moment while the old servant passed on, partly to give him
+time to announce her, partly to enjoy for half an instant the fragrance
+and beauty around her.
+
+Then came a voice, and a figure in the inner doorway--the figure that
+already seemed so familiar to her, though she had seen it but once.
+
+'My dear child--my dear Jacinth,' and she felt two kind arms thrown
+round her, and the soft withered cheek of the old lady pressed against
+her own. 'This is delightful--to have you all to myself--my own child
+for the time.'
+
+Jacinth's usually cold unimpulsive nature was strongly moved; there is
+always something impressive and touching in the emotion of the aged. And
+Lady Myrtle, one felt by instinct, was rarely demonstrative.
+
+The girl looked up in her face, and there came a slight mistiness over
+the hazel eyes, which her new old friend seemed to know so well--oh so
+well!--the sight of them carried her back half a century; and, above
+all, when Jacinth began to speak, she felt as if all the intervening
+years were a dream, and that she was again a girl herself, listening to
+the voice of Jacinth Moreland.
+
+'I am so very pleased to come. I have been longing to see you again,'
+said her young guest. Thornley had discreetly withdrawn. 'And how lovely
+it is here! You don't know how I enjoy seeing flowers again like these.'
+
+'It _is_ pretty, isn't it?' said Lady Myrtle, pleased by the frank
+admiration. 'In cold weather I am sometimes shut up a good deal, and my
+garden is my great delight. So I tried to make myself a little winter
+garden, you see. I have had to stay up here the last few days, but I
+hope to go about again as usual to-morrow. And of course I shall go down
+to luncheon and dinner to-day. I waited to ask you to come, my dear,
+till I was better. I could not have let you be all by yourself in the
+dining-room.'
+
+'Oh,' exclaimed Jacinth, with sudden compunction, 'I should have asked
+if you were better. How could I forget?'
+
+'Why, you have not been two minutes here, my dear child. And I wrote
+that I was better. It was only a cold. But at my age, "only a cold" may
+come to be a great deal, and I have got into the way of taking care of
+myself, I scarcely know why; it is natural, I suppose, and after all,
+however alone one is, life is a gift. We must not throw it away. I am
+not _quite_ well yet'--she had coughed more than once while
+speaking--'but the weather is milder again.'
+
+'Yes,' said Jacinth, 'a sort of St Martin's summer. I hope,' she added
+gently, 'you will let me wait upon you a little while I am here.
+Wouldn't you like the door shut?'
+
+Lady Myrtle smiled. She liked the allusion to St Martin's summer; it
+seemed like a good omen. Was this bright young life, so strangely
+associated with her own youth, to bring back some spring-time to her
+winter?--was Jacinth to be a St Martin's summer to her?
+
+'Thank you,' she said. 'Yes, please shut the outer door. Poor old
+Thornley often thinks he has closed it when he hasn't; his hands are so
+rheumatic. I like the door into the conservatory left open. Yes, that's
+right. And now come and talk to me for a few minutes before you take off
+your things. There is still half an hour to luncheon. Tell me what you
+have been doing these last few days--busy at lessons? That fair-haired
+little sister of yours doesn't look as if she _over_worked.'
+
+Jacinth smiled.
+
+'No,' she said, 'I don't think Francie _over_works, but she does very
+well. The being at school has really been a good thing for her, for she
+feels herself that she is the better for emulation.'
+
+'And the Scarletts are gentlewomen, thorough gentlewomen,' said Lady
+Myrtle, musingly. 'That makes a difference. And I suppose a good many of
+the pupils are really nice--lady-like and refined?'
+
+'Yes,' said Jacinth, readily. 'The boarders are all nice--some of them
+really as nice in every way as they can be, clever, too, and anxious to
+learn. I don't seem to know them quite as well as Frances does, for,
+somehow, I am not very quick at making friends,' and she looked up at
+Lady Myrtle with a slight questioning in her eyes. The confession did
+not sound very amiable. But the old lady nodded reassuringly.
+
+'Just as well or better that it should be so,' she said. 'Few friends
+and faithful has been my motto. Indeed, as for _great_ friends I never
+had but one, and you know who that was, and I verily believe she never
+had any one as much to her as I was.' She sighed a little. 'Your sister
+is quite a child--a very nice child, I am sure, but she is not a
+Moreland at all. I have heard of some girls at Miss Scarlett's--let me
+see, who were they? What are the names of the ones you like best?'
+
+Jacinth hesitated.
+
+'There are the--the Eves,' she said, 'two sisters, and the Beckinghams,
+and Miss Falmouth. She is almost too old for us.'
+
+But the Harpers she did not name, saying to herself that her aunt had
+advised her not to do so. In this she deceived herself. Miss Mildmay
+would never have counselled her direct avoidance of mention of the two
+girls whom Frances--and she herself in her heart--thought the most
+highly of among their companions.
+
+Lady Myrtle caught at the last name.
+
+'Falmouth,' she repeated. 'Yes, it must have been of her I heard. I know
+her aunt. Very nice people.'
+
+Then she went on to talk a little of Jacinth's own special tastes and
+studies, to ask what news the girls had last had from India, how often
+they wrote, and so on, to all of which Jacinth replied with her usual
+simple directness, for she felt perfectly at ease with her hostess. And
+the little reminiscences and allusions to the long-ago days when all the
+young interests of Jacinth Moreland and Myrtle Harper were shared
+together, with which the old lady's talk was so interspersed, in no way
+bored or wearied this girl of to-day, as it might have done some of her
+contemporaries. On the contrary, such allusions made Jacinth feel more
+on a level with her companion, and flattered her by showing her the
+confidence with which she was regarded.
+
+'I don't suppose she would speak of those past times to _any one_ but
+me,' thought Jacinth proudly. 'Except, of course, perhaps to mamma.'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+DELICATE GROUND.
+
+
+The two days at Robin Redbreast passed most satisfactorily, and long
+before they came to an end Jacinth felt completely at home. It would
+have been almost impossible for her or for any girl not to feel grateful
+for Lady Myrtle's extreme kindness, but besides this, everything in the
+life suited Jacinth's peculiar character. She liked the perfect order,
+the completeness of the arrangements, just as--in very different
+surroundings--she liked and appreciated the same qualities in her aunt's
+sphere. Mere luxury or display would not have pleased her in the same
+way, and except in the one matter of flowers and all expenses connected
+with her garden, Lady Myrtle lived simply. The house itself, though in
+perfectly good taste, was decidedly plain; the furniture belonged to a
+severe and unluxurious date. The colouring was harmonious, but
+unobtrusive.
+
+But Jacinth thought it perfection. Her own room--the one which the old
+lady had specially chosen for her, and which she impressed upon her she
+must think of as appropriated to her--was exactly what she liked. The
+chintz hangings--pale pink rosebuds on a white ground--the quaint
+spindle-legged dressing-tables and chairs, the comfortably spacious but
+undecorated wardrobe of dark old mahogany, the three-cornered bookcases
+fitted in to the angles of the walls with their lozenge-paned glass
+doors--all was just as she liked.
+
+'It's so beautifully _neat_,' she said to Lady Myrtle. 'I like a house
+to be almost primly neat. Frances says she's sure I shall be an old
+maid, and I daresay I shall be. I shouldn't mind, if I had a house of my
+own like this to live in.'
+
+Lady Myrtle glanced at her with one of her peculiar but approving
+smiles.
+
+'That is another point in common between us,' she said. 'I have always
+felt like you, and when--let me see, it must be fully twenty years ago
+now--when, for the first time I really was perfectly free to furnish a
+house to suit myself, you see I carried out my own ideas.'
+
+'Oh, I thought Robin Redbreast was really old--furniture and all,' said
+Jacinth with a slight tone of disappointment.
+
+'So it is,' said Lady Myrtle. 'A good deal of it was here in the house,
+and I had it done up--and some things I brought from Goodacre. My
+brother-in-law who succeeded there kindly let me choose out things of my
+favourite date. And they did not suit Goodacre, which is very grand and
+heavy, and, to my mind, ugly.'
+
+'I know what you mean,' said Jacinth, eagerly--'enormous mirrors with
+huge gilt frames, and enormous gilt cornices over the window curtains,
+and great big patterns on the carpets. There was a house near Stannesley
+like that. It was interesting, something like an old palace, and grand;
+but I shouldn't like to live in a house of that kind.'
+
+'No, there seems nothing personal about it. One's own little self makes
+no impression; you feel that you are just passing through it for the
+time. Elvedon was rather like that, though the present tenants have
+managed to lighten it a good deal. But our other place--I mean my own
+family's place, up in the north, where I knew your dear
+grandmother--though not so grand, is much more homelike than Elvedon. My
+nephew and his wife live there when they are not in London. It is not so
+expensive as the place here.'
+
+Jacinth grew a little nervous and said exactly what she did not mean to
+say.
+
+'Are they not very rich, then?' and instantly blushed crimson, which
+Lady Myrtle took as an expression of fear lest she had been indiscreet.
+And she hastened to answer so as to put the girl at ease again.
+
+'No,' she said; 'far from it. But they will be better off some day, and
+it has been for their good that they have not been rich hitherto. The
+sins of the fathers are visited on the children, as you cannot fail to
+see for yourself, my dear, when you come to know more of life.' Lady
+Myrtle sighed. 'My poor brother Elvedon was very weak and foolish, led
+into all kinds of wild extravagance by--by another, much, much worse
+than he;' and here the old lady's face hardened. 'And naturally,' she
+went on, 'we--my father and I--dreaded what his son might turn out. Poor
+Elvedon, my nephew I mean, is far from a clever man, but he is sensible
+and steady, and so are his two sons. So, as I was saying, some day they
+will be better off.'
+
+Jacinth listened with the utmost attention. She was much gratified by
+her hostess's confidence, and relieved, too, that no mention had been
+made of any other Harper relatives.
+
+'Bessie and Margaret are not Lord Elvedon's daughters, of course,' she
+said to herself, 'so it does not seem as if they were near relations;
+perhaps, after all, they are not relations at all. So I don't see that I
+need bother my head about them; I might have mentioned them to Lady
+Myrtle among the girls at school without her noticing it, I daresay.'
+
+'This is too old talk for you, my dear,' said the old lady, after a
+little silence.
+
+'No, no indeed,' said Jacinth eagerly. 'I am so pleased you don't treat
+me as a child, dear Lady Myrtle. And I love to think of you and my
+grandmother long ago, when your families were almost relations, weren't
+they?'
+
+'Yes, truly--Jacinth and I often said we loved each other more than if
+we had been sisters. That reminds me, my dear, that nice little sister
+of yours must come to see me some day soon, and the boy too, the next
+time you come. When shall that be?'
+
+'Whenever you like, dear Lady Myrtle,' Jacinth replied.
+
+'Well then, supposing you come again in a fortnight--next Saturday week,
+that is to say. I will send for you as before, and the two children must
+come with you and stay till six or seven; then I will send them home
+again and you will remain with me till Monday morning. I must not be
+selfish, otherwise I would gladly have you every week. But that would
+not be fair to your aunt.'
+
+'It wouldn't matter so much for Aunt Alison,' said Jacinth; 'I really
+don't think she would mind. But Francie and Eugene would not like me to
+be away every Sunday.'
+
+'Then let us try to make it every other,' said Lady Myrtle. 'My dearest
+child,' and she pressed the girl's hand, 'how I wish I could have you
+with me altogether. But no, that would not do--it would not be a right
+life for her'--she seemed as if she were speaking to herself. 'Tell me,
+dear,' she went on, 'you do feel already _at home_ at Robin Redbreast?
+I want you to learn to love the little place as well as its old
+owner--who can't be its owner for ever,' she added in a lower voice, so
+that less quick ears than Jacinth's would scarcely have caught the
+words.
+
+'I love it already dearly,' she replied. 'For your sake first of all, of
+course, but for its own too. I couldn't imagine a more perfect old house
+than it is.'
+
+They were walking in the garden, for the weather was mild and Lady
+Myrtle had been able to go to church that morning. It was Sunday and
+late afternoon. The long level rays of the evening sun fell on the large
+lawn--smooth and even as a bowling-green--along one side of which, on
+the broad terrace, the two were pacing up and down. Lady Myrtle stopped
+short, she was holding the girl's arm, and looked up at the windows,
+glinting cheerily in the red glow beginning to be reflected from the
+sky.
+
+'Yes,' she said, 'it really is a dear old place. And for any one who
+cared to fit it for a larger family there is plenty of space and
+convenience for extending it.'
+
+'It seems a very good size already,' said Jacinth, 'though of course I
+cannot judge very well.'
+
+'You must see it all,' said Lady Myrtle; 'the next time you come I hope
+I shall be quite well and able to show you all over it. No, it would
+scarcely need building to; but there are several rooms at the other side
+in rather an unfinished condition, because I really had no use for them.
+The last tenant was on the point of completing them when he left. He had
+a large family, and it was getting too small for them, but he
+unexpectedly came into a property elsewhere, and then my father gave me
+this place. There are some very nice rooms you have not seen. Have you
+been in the one where my old pensioners come for their dinner every
+Saturday?'
+
+Jacinth shook her head.
+
+'That would make a capital billiard room,' Lady Myrtle went on, Jacinth
+listening to all she said with the greatest interest. 'Indeed, Robin
+Redbreast has everything needed for a comfortable roomy house. It is too
+large for me, unless I had a good many visitors. When your father and
+mother come from India, Jacinth, I must have you all to stay with me.'
+
+Jacinth's eyes sparkled.
+
+'Oh how delightful that would be!' she said. 'I have often thought how
+they will miss Stannesley when they come home. For it is let for a long
+time. And wasn't it funny, Lady Myrtle, that last morning when we were
+saying good-bye to Uncle Marmy at the gate, we looked in at this garden,
+and said how lovely it would be if papa and mamma had come home, and we
+were all living together in a house like this! And to think it _may_
+come true, if you ask us all to stay with you.'
+
+Lady Myrtle stroked Jacinth's hand fondly.
+
+'Yes, dear,' she said, 'it may come true, and I trust it will.'
+
+This conversation took place, as I said, on the Sunday afternoon. Very
+early the next morning the brougham took Jacinth back to Market Square
+Place, in time for her to start for school with Frances at their usual
+hour.
+
+Frances did not receive with rapturous delight the news of her
+invitation to Robin Redbreast.
+
+'Must I go?' she said. 'Wouldn't it do for just Eugene to go with you,
+Jacinth? He would enjoy it.'
+
+'Yes, I should,' said Eugene, 'pertickerly if we have some of those
+little brown cakes for tea.'
+
+'Eugene,' said Frances in a tone of disgust, 'I'm sure Lady Myrtle would
+not have asked you if she had known you were such a greedy little boy.'
+
+They were in the dining-room waiting for their aunt, who, for once, was
+a few minutes late for dinner. Just then she came in. She greeted
+Jacinth pleasantly, and seemed glad to hear that she had enjoyed
+herself. Then she was told of the invitation for the following week, and
+Frances appealed to her to say she 'needn't go.' But Frances's hopes
+were speedily disappointed.
+
+'Not go!' said Miss Mildmay; 'of course you must go. It would be most
+ungrateful to Lady Myrtle, and would, besides, put Jacinth in a very
+disagreeable position. You are the grand-daughter of Lady Myrtle's old
+friend as well as Jacinth, even though her special interest may be in
+Jacinth.'
+
+'It would make me look so selfish too,' said Jacinth, who, now that she
+felt sure of her own place with the old lady, was far from wishing to
+deprive Frances of her share in the pleasures and advantages of their
+acquaintance with Robin Redbreast.
+
+So Frances had to give in.
+
+And when the day came she enjoyed the visit, on the whole, very much.
+
+'If only,' she said to herself before starting, 'if only I could have
+got mamma's letter in answer to mine before going. I would have known
+then exactly how to do about the Harpers. Of course I can't tell
+stories, and _they_ would never have wanted me to do that. I only hope
+nothing will be said about school or about anything to do with them.'
+
+Then she tried to recall the exact words of Camilla Harper's letter, by
+this time two-thirds on its way to India to her mother.
+
+Jacinth said nothing at all about the Harpers in connection with Lady
+Myrtle, and Frances began to think her sister had forgotten all about
+the question of their possible relationship, which in the meantime at
+least the younger girl was not sorry for.
+
+It was again a lovely day--the weather seemed to favour the visits to
+Robin Redbreast--even milder than the Saturday of Jacinth's first stay
+there. And this time, instead of the brougham, a large roomy pony
+carriage came to fetch them, a spring cart having already called for
+Jacinth's portmanteau that morning.
+
+'How lovely!' said Frances, as she and Eugene took their seats with
+great satisfaction opposite her sister and the coachman; 'I am so glad
+it is an open carriage. I wish Lady Myrtle would send us home in it
+again this evening: don't you, Eugene?'
+
+'I'm sure her ladyship will be quite pleased to do so, miss, if you just
+mention that you would like it,' said the man, a staid unexceptionable
+old servant, though many years younger than Thornley.
+
+'Oh well, I will. I may, mayn't I, Jass?' said Frances, her eyes
+sparkling with pleasure, only damped by Jacinth's grave expression. Did
+Jass think she was chattering too much already? High spirits were
+Francie's native air: it was very difficult for her to be quiet and
+subdued for long together. But Jacinth really loved to see Frances
+happy, and she knew that Lady Myrtle would feel the same.
+
+'She thinks her such a mere child,' thought the elder girl. So she
+smiled reassuringly as she replied: 'Of course, dear, you can ask Lady
+Myrtle. I am sure she won't mind if it keeps fine; and there is no sign
+of rain, is there?' she said turning to the coachman.
+
+'No indeed, ma'am,' he replied. 'We shall have no rain just yet a bit.'
+
+'It's a _perfect_ day,' said Frances. 'I really sometimes think I like
+autumn as well as spring.'
+
+'I have always liked it much better,' said Jacinth calmly.
+
+Lady Myrtle was walking up and down the terrace, waiting for them. She
+was much better--for her, indeed, quite well--she said, and her face
+lighted up with pleasure as she kissed Jacinth tenderly. Then she turned
+to the younger ones and kissed them too.
+
+'I must have a good look at you, Frances,' she said. 'No--you are not a
+Moreland, and yet--yes, there is a slight _something_--in spite of your
+blue eyes and shaggy hair,' and she patted Frances's head. 'And you, my
+boy;' and she examined Eugene in his turn. 'His eyes are more like his
+grandmother's; nothing approaching your eyes, Jacinth, but still they
+are more of the colour.'
+
+'Eugene is very like mamma,' said Frances eagerly. 'Everybody says so.'
+
+'And I'm called after her,' added Eugene.
+
+'So that's quite as it should be,' said Lady Myrtle. 'And some day I
+hope I may have the great pleasure of comparing mamma and her boy
+together. Now dears, listen to my plan--would you like to go a drive
+this afternoon, or would you rather play about the garden and the little
+farm? I mean Frances and Eugene--Jacinth, of course, is quite at home
+here.'
+
+The two younger ones looked at each other.
+
+'Oh please,' said Frances, 'if we may go home in the open carriage, I
+think that would be enough driving. And--it's so long since we've had a
+nice big place to run about in, and--pigs and cows, you know, like at
+home? Wouldn't you like that best, Eugene?'
+
+'May we see the cows milked?' said Eugene, prudently making his
+conditions, 'and, oh please, if we find any eggs, _might_ we take one
+home for breakfast to-morrow?'
+
+Lady Myrtle looked much amused.
+
+'I will put you under Barnes's charge,' she said. 'Barnes is the
+under-gardener, and whatever he lets you do will be quite right. You and
+I, Jacinth, will have a long drive to-morrow, as I always go to Elvedon
+church once a month, and to-morrow is the day. So I daresay you will
+manage to entertain yourself at home to-day. We can go through the
+houses in the afternoon.'
+
+'Yes, thank you,' said Jacinth. 'And the house--you said you would show
+me all over the house, dear Lady Myrtle.'
+
+'Of course; that will amuse Frances and Eugene too, I daresay, when they
+have had enough running about. Now your sister will go with you to your
+room to take her things off;' and as the two set off, she added
+playfully, 'Jacinth has a room of her very own here, you know, Frances.'
+
+The younger girl was breathless with interest and pleasure, and the
+first sight of the interior of the quaint old house--above all, of the
+lovely conservatory, past which Jacinth took care to convoy
+her--impressed her as much as her sister.
+
+'Oh Jass,' she said, when they found themselves in the pleasant, rather
+'old-world-looking' bedroom, where a tiny wood-fire sparkling in the
+grate gave a cheery feeling of welcome as they entered--'Oh Jass, isn't
+it like a _dream_? That we should really be here in this dear old house,
+treated almost as if we were Lady Myrtle's own grandchildren, and you
+staying here, and this called your room, and--and'----
+
+She stopped, at a loss for words to express her feelings.
+
+Jacinth smiled, well pleased.
+
+'Yes,' she said, 'it really is like a fairy-tale. And'----She hesitated
+a little. 'You don't know, Francie, what more may not come. Do you
+remember our saying that morning to Marmy, how lovely it would be if
+some day we had a house like this for our home, and how he and we would
+pay visits to each other?'
+
+Frances's face grew rather pink.
+
+'Do you mean if,' she said, her voice growing lower and lower--'if Lady
+Myrtle _left_ it to us, to you? I don't like, Jass, to'----
+
+'Oh, how matter-of-fact you are!' said Jacinth impatiently; 'I don't
+mean anything but what I say. Lady Myrtle says she is going to invite us
+all--papa and mamma and us three--to stay with her when they come home,
+and it's a very big house, and she has no relations she cares for. It
+might get to be almost like our home. And Lady Myrtle is the sort of
+person that often speaks of getting old and--and dying. I daresay she
+makes plans for what she'd like to be done with her things--I know I
+should--though I hope she'll live twenty years, and I daresay she will,
+dear old thing.'
+
+Frances would have accepted this simply enough, and after all, Jacinth
+felt as she said. The thought that 'some day' Robin Redbreast might be
+her home would be quite enough for her, and she already loved her kind
+old friend sincerely. But one sentence in her sister's speech startled
+Frances with a quick sharp stab: 'No relations that she cares for.'
+
+Somehow, in the pleasure and excitement of coming to Robin Redbreast,
+she had forgotten about the Harpers. Now all her old feelings of
+chivalry for them, and wishes that she could be the means of helping
+them, rushed back upon her, and she felt as if she had, in some queer
+way, been faithless, even though she was debarred from doing anything,
+debarred even from telling Jacinth all she knew. And Frances was
+unaccustomed to hide her feelings; her face at once grew grave and
+almost distressed looking.
+
+'What is the matter, Frances?' said Jacinth. 'You are such a kill-joy.
+What are you looking so reproachful about?'
+
+'I didn't mean--I'm not looking reproachful,' said Frances; 'it was
+only--oh, just something of my own I was thinking of.'
+
+'Well then, I wish you would think of something cheerful, and not screw
+your face up as if you were going to cry. I don't want Lady Myrtle to
+think we've been quarrelling up here.'
+
+Frances swallowed down a lump in her throat, which was far too apt to
+come there on small provocation.
+
+'Of course Lady Myrtle would never think such a thing, or if she did,
+she would only think I was naughty or silly or something. She'd never
+dream of _you_ being anything but perfect, Jass. I do like her for
+that,' said Frances.
+
+'You should like her for everything. I'm sure she's as kind as she can
+possibly be,' said Jacinth.
+
+'Yes,' said Frances, 'she is.'
+
+Then they ran down-stairs again to the library, where Lady Myrtle had
+told them she would be. They found her improving her acquaintance with
+Eugene, who was chattering away in a most confiding and friendly
+fashion, even retailing to her his self-congratulation at having been
+the first cause of their making friends.
+
+'For you see if I hadn't been so fir--_wursty_,' with a great effort,
+'that day, and _made_ Jacinth let me ask; no,' suddenly recollecting
+himself, 'she didn't let me, but you heard me over the wall, Lady
+Myrtle; that was it, wasn't it? So it did come of me being wursty,
+didn't it?'
+
+'Yes, my dear, of course it did,' the old lady replied, with a smile.
+
+But just then the luncheon gong sounded and they all made their way into
+the dining-room. All went well till about half-way through the meal,
+when a sudden thought struck Lady Myrtle.
+
+'Oh Jacinth, my dear,' she said, 'I was forgetting to tell you. Your
+young friend at school, Honor Falmouth, _is_ the niece of my friend. I
+was writing to her husband the other day about a business matter--he is
+one of my trustees--and I asked the question. I thought it would
+interest you to hear it.'
+
+'Yes,' said Jacinth, 'of course it does. She is a very nice girl indeed,
+but she is a good deal older than I. She plays beautifully, and next
+term she is going somewhere--to Germany, I think--for the best music
+lessons she can have. Did you play the harp, when you were a girl, Lady
+Myrtle?' she went on rather eagerly. She was vaguely anxious to change
+the conversation, for she had still a half-nervous fear of Frances's
+indiscretion should the subject of their school-fellows be entered upon.
+
+'The harp!' repeated Lady Myrtle, half-absently; 'no, my love, I never
+was very musical. But your grandmother sang charmingly.' And Jacinth,
+believing she was launched on long-ago reminiscences, began to breathe
+freely, when suddenly the old lady reverted to the former topic.
+
+'How much older than you is Honor?' she inquired.
+
+'About three years. I think she is eighteen, but I'm not quite sure,'
+said Jacinth.
+
+'I was wondering,' said Lady Myrtle, 'if she would like to come to
+luncheon some day when you are with me. Or is there any other among your
+friends you care more for?'
+
+'No,' said Jacinth, 'I think I like Honor as much as any.'
+
+Frances was listening with the greatest interest; her mouth half-open,
+her knife and fork suspended in their operations. Lady Myrtle caught
+sight of her absorbed face and smiled.
+
+'Have _you_ any friend you would like to ask to come here some day?' she
+said, kindly. 'If it were summer it would be different; we might have a
+strawberry feast.'
+
+Frances grew crimson, painfully crimson.
+
+'Oh _how_ silly she is!' thought Jacinth.
+
+'Thank you,' stammered Frances. 'I--I don't know. I don't think so.'
+
+'Come, you must think it over,' said Lady Myrtle, imagining the child
+was consumed with shyness. 'Who are your favourite friends, or have you
+any special favourites?'
+
+'Yes,' replied Frances, in an agony, increased by the consciousness of
+Jacinth's eye, but fully remembering, too, that in replying truthfully
+she was violating no confidence; 'yes, I'm much the fondest of Bessie
+and Margaret, but they mightn't come. I don't think it would be any use
+inviting any of them, except a big one like Honor, thank you.'
+
+'Ah! well I know Miss Scarlett is strict, and rightly so, I daresay,'
+said the old lady. 'Who are these friends of yours--Bessie and Margaret
+what?'
+
+'Bessie and Margaret Harper,' said Frances, bluntly; 'that's their
+name.'
+
+A look of perplexity crossed Lady Myrtle's face. 'Harper,' she repeated.
+'Bessie and Margaret Harper. No, I never heard of them. But
+still'----And the lines on her face seemed visibly to harden. 'Ah well,
+I will only ask Honor Falmouth then. You must see about it, Jacinth, and
+let me know when I should write to her or to Miss Scarlett.'
+
+And then they talked of other things, Jacinth exerting herself doubly,
+to prevent Lady Myrtle's noticing Frances's silence and constraint. But
+afterwards, when they were by themselves for a moment, she took her
+sister to task.
+
+'Why did you speak of the Harpers?' she said; 'and why, still worse, if
+you thought you shouldn't have named them, did you look so silly and
+ashamed as if you had done something wrong? I daresay you felt
+uncomfortable because, as Aunt Alison said, there have been such
+disagreeables in Lady Myrtle's family, and these Harpers may be some
+relations of hers. But--couldn't you have managed not to mention them?'
+
+Frances looked quite as distressed as Jacinth could have expected--or
+more so. 'I'm sure I didn't mean to speak of them,' she said. Her
+meekness disarmed Jacinth.
+
+'Well never mind,' she said reassuringly. 'I daresay Lady Myrtle didn't
+notice; at least, if she did, she couldn't have thought you knew
+anything about her family affairs. _I_ don't want to hear about them;
+I'd rather not know what sort of relations the Harpers are, or if
+they're any. Don't think any more about them.'
+
+And with this, Frances had to be or to appear content. But besides the
+little Jacinth knew, she had her own sorer feelings. Though Bessie and
+Margaret had scrupulously carried out the advice, Frances could see,
+they had received from home, and while as affectionate as ever to her,
+refrained from the very slightest allusion to family affairs or even to
+Robin Redbreast, yet, now that her eyes were opened as it were, Frances
+noticed many things that had not struck her before. As the season
+advanced and the weather grew colder, most of the girls appeared in new
+and comfortably warmer garments, for Thetford stands high and is a
+'bracing' place. Well-lined ulsters, fur-trimmed jackets, muffs and
+boas, were the order of the day. But not so for Bessie and Margaret.
+They wore the same somewhat threadbare serges; the same not very
+substantial gray tweeds on Sundays, which had done duty since they came
+to school; the same little black cloth jackets out-of-doors, with only
+the addition of a knitted 'cross-over' underneath. And one day, admiring
+Frances's pretty muff, and congratulating her on the immunity from
+chilblains it must afford, poor little Margaret confided to her
+impulsively that she had never possessed such a treasure in her life.
+
+'It is one of the things I have always wished for so,' she said simply,
+'though these woollen gloves that Camilla knits us are really very
+good.'
+
+Then on another occasion both sisters consulted their friend on a most
+important matter. It was going to be mother's birthday. They _must_ send
+her something; they had never been away from her on her birthday before,
+and at home one could always make something or find out what she wanted
+a good while before, so as to prepare. _Could_ Frances think of
+anything? She must be used to thinking of things that could go by post
+because of her mother being in India; only--and here Bessie's eager face
+flushed a little, and Margaret's grave eyes grew graver--'you see it
+mustn't cost much; that's the worst of it.'
+
+Frances tried not to look too sympathising.
+
+'I know,' she said. 'I quite understand, for of course we haven't ever
+much money to spend. I will try to think of something.'
+
+And for once she thoroughly enlisted Jacinth's sympathy for her friends.
+Possibly, far down in Jacinth's heart, candid and loyal by nature, lay a
+consciousness that, notwithstanding the plausible and, to a certain
+extent, sound reasons for not meddling in other people's affairs, and
+for refraining from all 'Harper' allusions to Lady Myrtle, she was going
+farther than she needed in her avoidance of these girls, in her
+determination not to know anything about their family or their possible
+connection with her old lady. Her conscience was not entirely at rest.
+And in a curious undefined way she was now and then grateful for
+Frances's ready kindness to Bessie and Margaret: it seemed a vicarious
+making up for the something which she felt she herself was withholding.
+And this little appeal touched her sympathy; so that with a good deal of
+tact--more tact than Frances, blunt and blundering, could have
+shown--she helped to suggest and carry out a really charming little
+birthday present, most of the materials for which she had 'by her,'
+lying useless, only asking to be made into something.
+
+Never had Bessie Harper felt so ready to make a friend of the
+undemonstrative girl; never had Francie herself felt more drawn to her
+elder sister.
+
+And the little present was carefully packed and sent off; and the tender
+mother's letter of thanks, when it came, was read to the Mildmays as but
+their due, and for a while it seemed as if the friendship was to extend
+from a trio into a quartette!
+
+But alas! a very few days after the cheery letter from Southcliff,
+Frances, spending a holiday afternoon at Ivy Lodge, as often happened,
+especially when Jacinth was with Lady Myrtle, found Bessie Harper pale
+and anxious, and Margaret's eyes suspiciously red. What was the matter?
+
+'We didn't want to tell you about our home troubles,' said Bessie. 'I'm
+sure it's better not, because of--you know what. But I must tell you a
+little. It's--it's a letter from Camilla. Father has been so much worse
+lately, and they didn't want to tell us. They hoped it was only
+rheumatism with the cold weather. But--mother managed to get him up to
+London to see the great doctor, and--he gave a very bad report.'
+
+Here Bessie's voice failed.
+
+'He's not going to die?--oh don't say that!' burst out Frances in her
+heedless way.
+
+Margaret flung out her hands wildly.
+
+'Oh Bessie,' she cried, 'is that what it really means?'
+
+Bessie looked almost angrily at Frances.
+
+'No, no,' she exclaimed; 'of course not. Frances, why did you say that?
+Margaret, you are so fanciful. Of course it is not that. It is just that
+the doctor says his leg is getting stiffer and stiffer, and unless
+something can be done--some treatment in London first, and afterwards a
+course of German baths--he is afraid dad must become _quite_ a
+cripple--quite helpless. And that would be dreadful. It's bad enough
+when people are rich'--it was sad to hear the old sad 'refrain' of
+poverty, from lips so young--'but when they're poor! Oh no, I can't face
+the thoughts of it. What would his life be if he could never get out--he
+is so active in spite of his lameness--if he had to lie always in his
+poky little room? How would darling mother bear it?'
+
+And then brave Bessie herself broke down and fled away to the
+house--they were in the garden--to hide herself till she had recovered
+some degree of calm.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE INDIAN MAIL.
+
+
+Frances went home that evening feeling very unhappy and terribly full of
+sympathy, while painfully conscious the while that as yet she must not
+unburden herself to any one, not even to Jacinth, of her whole thoughts
+and feelings in connection with the Harpers. And in any case she could
+not have done so, for Jacinth was away at Robin Redbreast till Monday.
+
+They met at school on Monday morning, but it was not till they were on
+their way home at dinner-time that the sisters had any opportunity of
+speaking to each other. Jacinth was looking almost brilliantly well,
+and, for her, Frances saw in a moment, in extremely good spirits. No
+wonder--every time she went to Lady Myrtle, the old lady showed her
+increasing signs of affection and goodwill: she almost hinted that she
+wished the girl to think of herself as in a sense adopted by her.
+
+'Francie,' said the elder sister, when they at last found themselves
+alone, 'I have something so lovely to show you,' and she drew out a
+little velvet-covered case from her pocket. 'See--this is what dear Lady
+Myrtle has given me; isn't it splendid?'
+
+The 'it' was a small and evidently valuable watch. The back was
+enamelled and set with diamonds, in the form of a 'J.' It was somewhat
+old-fashioned, enough to enhance its beauty and uncommonness, and
+Frances gazed at it in breathless admiration.
+
+'It was Lady Myrtle's own,' explained Jacinth. 'She told me that she and
+our grandmother once had a fancy--rather a silly one, I think, though I
+didn't say so--for having each other's initial on their things--things
+like this, I mean. So when somebody gave them each a watch, two the
+same, they exchanged them. Lady Myrtle doesn't know what became of our
+grandmother's, but she thinks it was lost or stolen, otherwise mother
+would have had it. And she has not worn this for ever so long. She says
+she always hoped that _some_ day she'd find somebody belonging to
+grandmother. Oh Francie, isn't it a good thing I was called "Jacinth?"'
+
+Frances murmured something in reply; her eyes were fixed on the watch.
+
+'The works are first-rate--_better_ than they make them now,' Jacinth
+continued; 'and Lady Myrtle has had it thoroughly overhauled by her own
+watchmaker in London, so she's sure it'll go perfectly, with any one
+careful; and I am careful, am I not, Francie? Lady Myrtle says she could
+see I was, almost the first time she spoke to me.'
+
+'Yes,' said Frances, absently, 'I am sure you are, and I am sure Lady
+Myrtle thinks you almost perfect.'
+
+But still she gazed at the watch, as if it half-mesmerised her.
+
+'I've felt in such a hurry to tell you about it--to show it to you,'
+said Jacinth. 'It seemed to be burning a hole in my pocket, as they say.
+I did so wish I could have shown it to some of the girls, but I thought
+it was better not.'
+
+This last remark seemed to arouse Frances.
+
+'Yes,' she agreed heartily, 'I think it was much better not.' Then,
+after a moment or two's silence, 'I wonder how much it is worth?' she
+went on; 'ten or twenty pounds, I daresay?'
+
+'Ten or twenty!' repeated Jacinth; 'oh, much more than that. Forty or
+fifty at least, I should say.'
+
+Frances gasped.
+
+'What a lot of things one could do with as much money as that!' she
+said. 'I daresay it would be enough to--to'----
+
+'To what?' said Jacinth, a little impatience in her tone.
+
+'Oh--only something I was thinking of--some one who's ill and can't do
+what the doctor says,' replied Frances, confusedly.
+
+Jacinth felt irritated.
+
+'I don't understand you, Frances,' she said. 'Do you want to take away
+my pleasure in my watch? I've never had one before, you know, and lots
+of girls have watches, quite young. Of course I know the value of it
+would do lots of things--make some poor family quite rich for a year.
+But when you get a new frock of some good stuff and nicely made, I don't
+say to you that you might have had it of common print, run up anyhow,
+and spent the rest on poor people. You don't see things fairly,
+Frances.'
+
+Frances recognised the sense of Jacinth's argument, but she could not
+explain herself.
+
+'I didn't mean that exactly,' she said. 'I know there have to be degrees
+of things--rich and poor, and I suppose it's not wrong to be rich,
+if--if one doesn't get selfish. That isn't what I meant. I'm very
+pleased you've got the watch, Jass, and I wish I hadn't said that.'
+
+'I wish you hadn't too,' said her sister. 'It has taken away a good deal
+of my pleasure; and somehow, Frances, very often now, I don't understand
+you. I know you are never the least jealous, you haven't it in you, but
+yet you don't seem to like to see me happy. I could almost think you are
+what Aunt Alison would call "morbid."'
+
+'I don't think I know what that means,' said Frances, sadly, though she
+had a sort of idea what Jacinth wished to express.
+
+'Sometimes,' continued Jacinth, 'I have a feeling that other girls have
+come between you and me. If it could be--if I really thought it was the
+Harpers, though they do seem nice, I would almost hate them. One way and
+another, they do seem to have been the cause of a lot of worry.'
+
+'Oh Jass, it isn't their fault--truly it isn't,' pleaded Frances, almost
+in tears. 'I haven't been very happy lately, but indeed it isn't that
+I'm changed to you. Perhaps after a while you'll understand me better.
+If only mamma was at home'----
+
+'It's no good wishing for that,' replied Jacinth. 'And you are so queer,
+I really don't know if you'd be pleased if things did happen to make
+mamma come home. I was going to tell you some things,' she added
+mysteriously, 'but I think I'd better not.'
+
+And, to her surprise, her hints, instead of whetting her sister's
+curiosity, seemed rather to alarm her.
+
+'No,' she agreed, 'if it's anything about Lady----or, or _plans_, I'd
+rather not know. I hate any sort of secret.'
+
+She said the last few words almost roughly, and Jacinth, in spite of
+her irritation, felt sorry for her. It was evident that poor little
+Frances had something on her mind. But the elder sister did not invite
+her confidence.
+
+'I believe it _has_ to do with these girls,' she thought, 'and if it
+has, I don't want to know it. So Frances and I are quits; she doesn't
+want my secrets and I don't want hers. Honor Falmouth says it is
+uncertain if the Harpers will stay after Christmas. I'm sure I hope they
+won't. Frances would forget all about them once they were away. She is
+such a baby.'
+
+But her own words had suggested some comfort to Frances. 'If only mamma
+were here!' she had said. And suddenly she remembered that though mamma
+herself could not be hoped for, a letter--a letter in answer to her own
+long one enclosing Camilla Harper's--would soon be due.
+
+'It is five--no, six weeks since I sent it,' she thought joyfully. 'I
+must hear soon. And then I do hope mamma will say it is best to tell
+Jass all about it, whether Jass is vexed with me or not; and even if
+there's _no_ chance of making Lady Myrtle kind to them, I'd far rather
+Jass knew all I know.'
+
+She sighed, but there was relief in her sigh. And when in another moment
+she began talking cheerfully about Jacinth's visit, and all she had done
+at Robin Redbreast, her sister almost decided that she herself had been
+fanciful and exaggerated about Frances--making mountains out of
+molehills. Jacinth was very anxious to take this view of things; it was
+much more comfortable to think that the Harpers had had nothing to do
+with Frances's fits of depression.
+
+'And after all,' thought Jacinth, 'why should we bother about them? As
+likely as not they're no relation to Lady Myrtle, or so distant that it
+doesn't count. And it's really not our business.'
+
+It is seldom the case that a looked-for letter--especially from a great
+distance--arrives when hoped for. And Frances had hoped for her mother's
+reply by the very first date possible.
+
+She was not disappointed. They came--a good fat letter for her, a
+thinner one for Jacinth. They lay on the hall table one day when the
+girls came home from school; having arrived by the mid-day post, in
+which Thetford now rejoiced.
+
+Frances seized her letter, her cheeks flushing with excitement.
+
+'What a thick letter you've got this time!' said Jacinth. But Frances
+scarcely heard her.
+
+'Oh, I do so hope I shall have time to read it before dinner!' she said.
+
+'You've half--no, twenty-five minutes,' said Jacinth. 'Run and get ready
+first; it won't take you any time, and then you can read your letter in
+peace. That's what I'm going to do.'
+
+Frances took her sister's advice, and she managed to make her appearance
+in the dining-room punctually, the precious letter in her pocket, its
+contents already digested. She was rosier than usual, and Jacinth, who
+knew her ways so well, could see that she was struggling to keep down
+her excitement. Jacinth herself was not sorry when dinner was over and
+she was free to talk to Frances, after answering a question or two from
+her aunt about their Indian news.
+
+'Frances,' said her sister, when they found themselves in their own
+little sitting-room, 'mamma tells me that she has written a good deal
+more to you this time than to me, as there was something particular you
+asked her about. And she says you will tell it me all, or show me her
+letter.'
+
+[Illustration: Jacinth's brows contracted, and the lines of her delicate
+face hardened, but she said nothing.]
+
+Frances drew out her packet.
+
+'There's more than one letter there, surely,' said Jacinth, with some
+curiosity.
+
+'Yes,' said Frances, 'there's one I sent on to mamma to read, and she's
+sent it back, so that you can see it now. I daresay you'll be angry with
+me for not having told you about it before, but I can't help it if you
+are. Mamma says I did the best I could; but I am so glad for you to know
+all about it now,' and she gave a great sigh.
+
+Jacinth, more and more curious, took the letters which Frances gave her,
+and began to read them eagerly. Rather unfortunately, the first she
+began was Camilla Harper's, and she went to the end of it in spite of
+Frances's 'Oh, do read mamma's first, Jass.'
+
+Jacinth's brows contracted, and the lines of her delicate face hardened,
+but she said nothing--nothing really audible, that is to say, though a
+murmur escaped her of, 'I knew it had something to do with them; it is
+too bad.'
+
+When she had finished, she looked up at her sister.
+
+'There is a good deal more for you to explain,' she said, coldly. 'Mamma
+says you will do so--not that I want to hear it. And as you have got so
+thoroughly in the way of having secrets from me, and now that you have
+friends you care for more than me, I really don't see why I need to be
+mixed up in this affair at all.'
+
+'Oh Jass, dear Jass, don't speak like that,' exclaimed Frances, the
+ever-ready tears starting to her eyes. 'I couldn't help it. Read again
+what mamma says.'
+
+'I know what she says,' Jacinth replied. 'I don't need to read it
+again. I am waiting for you to tell me the whole.'
+
+It was difficult, but Frances was eager to re-establish confidence with
+her sister. She told the whole--even how the old Christmas card in her
+pocket had brought up the subject of Robin Redbreast, and how Bessie had
+asked her to tell no one but her mother, if she could help it; then how
+Camilla's letter had repeated this, ending up by what had recently come
+to her knowledge of the increased troubles of the Harper family.
+
+'Oh Jass,' she concluded, 'if we could help them somehow. I am so glad
+mamma has met that aunt of theirs--_isn't_ it lucky? Perhaps she'll be
+able now to manage something without vexing Captain and Mrs Harper.'
+
+Jacinth lifted her head and looked at Frances. She was paler than usual.
+
+'I really do think you must be a sort of an idiot,' she said.
+'Otherwise, I should be forced to believe you had no real family
+affection at all. Surely the Harpers might teach you to have _that_,
+however much mischief they have made in other ways.'
+
+Frances stared at her, dumb with perplexity.
+
+'What _do_ you mean, Jacinth?' she said at last.
+
+Jacinth for once lost her self-control.
+
+'Do you not care for your own father and mother to get anything good?'
+she said. 'Papa's life has been hard enough--so has ours--separated
+almost ever since we can remember from our parents. And it is all a
+question of money, to put it plainly, though it is horrid of you to
+force me to say it. Do you think papa, who is far from a young man now,
+stays out in that climate for pleasure--wearing himself out to be sure
+of his pension? And if Lady Myrtle chooses to treat _us_ as her
+relations--mamma, the daughter of her dearest friend--instead of the son
+of that bad, wretched brother of hers--why shouldn't she? And you would
+ruin everything by silly interference in behalf of people we have
+nothing to do with: very likely you'd do no good to _them_, and only
+offend her for ever with us. Do you understand _now_ what I mean?'
+
+Frances was trembling, but she would not cry.
+
+'Mamma does not see it that way,' she said. 'She is pleased and
+delighted at Lady Myrtle being so kind, but she _does_ care about the
+Harpers too. Read what she says,' and Frances hurriedly unfolded the
+letter again till she found the passage she wanted.
+
+This was what Mrs Mildmay said, after expressing her sympathy with all
+Frances had told her, and advising her now to tell the whole to Jacinth.
+'I remember vaguely about the Harper family in the old days,' she wrote.
+'I know that Lady Myrtle's two brothers caused her much trouble,
+especially the younger, really embittering her life. But for many years
+I have heard nothing of her or any of the family till just now, for a
+curious coincidence has happened. A few days before I got your long
+letter, enclosing Miss Harper's, and dear Jacinth's too, telling of her
+invitation to Robin Redbreast, I had met a Mrs Lyle, whose husband has
+got an appointment here. And Mrs Lyle is Captain Harper's sister. I like
+her very much, and we have already made great friends. She is very
+frank, and devoted to her brother and his family; and when she heard of
+my children being at Thetford, in talking, one thing led to another, so
+that I really knew all you tell me--and perhaps more. It will be rather
+difficult for you and Jacinth--for Jassie especially--to avoid all
+appearance of interference, as that would do harm on both sides. But
+still you may find opportunities of speaking warmly and admiringly of
+the Harper girls, whenever your school happens to be mentioned. That can
+do _no_ harm, and may even help to pave the way for bringing about a
+better state of things some day. For I do feel most interested in the
+Harpers, and every time we meet, Mrs Lyle and I talk about them, and all
+the troubles they have really so nobly borne.'
+
+Then Mrs Mildmay went on to speak of her pleasure in her children's
+having won Lady Myrtle's kindness, adding that she would look forward
+eagerly to the next letters, telling of Jacinth's visit.
+
+'Marmy says,' she wrote, 'that it must have been a presentiment which
+made you all take such a fancy to that quaint old house, even though you
+only saw it from the outside.'
+
+All this Frances read again boldly to her sister. Jacinth did not
+interrupt her, but listened in silence.
+
+'Well,' she said, when Frances stopped, 'I told you I had read all mamma
+said.'
+
+'Then why are you so angry with me?' demanded Frances bluntly. 'If I am
+a sort of an idiot, mamma is too.'
+
+Jacinth did not reply.
+
+'Mamma says you are not to attempt to interfere,' she said at last.
+
+'I am not going to. I wouldn't do so for the Harpers' sake, much more
+than for Lady Myrtle's. The Harpers have trusted me, and I won't do
+anything they wouldn't like.'
+
+'Well,' said Jacinth bitterly, 'you'd better write it all to mamma--all
+the horrid, calculating, selfish things I've said. You've got quite
+separated from me now, so that it really doesn't matter what you say of
+me.'
+
+This was too much. Frances at last dissolved into tears and flung
+herself upon her sister, entreating her 'not to say such things,' to
+believe that nobody in the world--not Bessie or Margaret or
+_anybody_--could ever make up to her for her own dear Jass.
+
+'You're not selfish,' she said. 'You're far more unselfish, really, than
+I am. For I never think of things. I see I've never thought enough of
+poor papa and mamma, and how hard it's been for them in many ways,
+though I did say to Bessie the other day that, whatever troubles they'd
+had, they'd not been parted from each other the way we've been.'
+
+'I'm glad you said that,' Jacinth condescended to say, 'just to let them
+see that they're not the only people in the world who have to bear
+things.'
+
+'Oh, they _don't_ think that,' said Frances. 'And Jass,' she went on,
+encouraged by her sister's softer tone, and encircling her neck fondly
+with her two arms as she sat, half on Jacinth's knee, half on the edge
+of her chair, 'I don't quite see why being sorry for the poor Harpers,
+and--and--wishing we could make Lady Myrtle feel so too, need make her
+leave off being kind to us too. That's how mamma sees it. I am not only
+thinking of the Harpers, Jass; indeed, I'm not. I'm looking forward more
+than I can tell you to what you said--that when papa and mamma come
+home, Lady Myrtle is going to invite us all to stay with her. Oh, it
+would be lovely!' and the little girl clasped her hands together. 'All
+the same,' she went on, 'I don't think I want ever to go to Robin
+Redbreast till that time comes. I can't feel natural there, and I'm
+afraid of vexing you or doing harm somehow.'
+
+'It is not in our hands--not in mine, any way,' said Jacinth quietly.
+'All you have told me makes no difference to me. I am not going to
+meddle, and I shall not mention the Harpers at all, if I can help it.'
+
+'Not even in the way mamma says we might?' said Frances.
+
+'No--not at all, if I can help it. I do not want to spoil the happiness
+of being with Lady Myrtle by bringing up disagreeable subjects. I shall
+tell mamma so when I write.'
+
+Frances was silent. After all, she reflected, perhaps it did not much
+matter. Jacinth did not know Bessie and Margaret as _she_ did, and now
+that her sister understood the whole--the near relationship and the
+whole story, perhaps it _would_ be very difficult for her to come upon
+the subject naturally.
+
+'Honor Falmouth says,' remarked Jacinth in a moment or two, 'that she
+has heard that perhaps the girls are not coming back to school after the
+Christmas holidays.'
+
+'Oh,' exclaimed Frances, looking greatly troubled, 'oh, Jass, I do hope
+it's not true.'
+
+'I should not be very sorry,' said Jacinth, 'except,' she added with
+some effort, 'except for your sake. And of course I have never said that
+they were not very nice girls. I know they are, only--it has been so
+tiresome and unlucky. I just wish we had never known them.'
+
+'I wish sometimes we had never known Lady Myrtle,' said Frances. 'You
+and I have _never_ been--like this--with each other before, Jass.'
+
+'Well, we needn't quarrel about it,' said her sister. 'Let's try to keep
+off the subject of the Harper family. For _I_ can do them no good.'
+
+'Very well,' said Frances, though rather sadly. 'I wonder,' she went on
+thinking to herself--'I wonder why Bessie and Margaret are perhaps to
+leave school; they are getting on so well.'
+
+She was too unpractical to guess at the truth--which Jacinth had thought
+it useless to mention as a part of Miss Falmouth's information--that
+their parents could no longer afford to pay for them.
+
+'For to be gentlepeople, as they undoubtedly are in every sense of the
+word,' the girl had said, 'they are really _awfully_ poor. I have heard
+so from some people who know them at that place where they live. It is
+quite a little seaside place, where people who want to be quiet go for
+bathing in the summer. But the Harpers live there all the year round. It
+must be fearfully dull.'
+
+'Yes,' Jacinth agreed, 'it can't be lively. Still, being poor isn't the
+only trouble in the world.'
+
+'No,' Miss Falmouth replied, 'but I fear they have others too. Captain
+Harper is so delicate.'
+
+Jacinth said no more. Honor Falmouth was a kind-hearted but not
+particularly thoughtful girl, and she forgot all about the Harpers in
+five minutes. Her visit to Robin Redbreast had never come to pass, and
+Jacinth did not very specially regret it. She liked best to be alone
+with Lady Myrtle. So the relationship of the young Harpers to the old
+lady had never come to Honor's knowledge, as it might perhaps have done
+if her attention had been drawn to Lady Myrtle by visiting at her house.
+And at Christmas Honor was leaving school.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+THE HARPERS' HOME.
+
+
+Southcliff was a very dull little place, especially so in winter, of
+course. In fine weather there is always a charm about the seaside, even
+on the barest and least picturesque coast. There are the endless
+varieties of sky panorama--the wonderful sunsets, if you are lucky
+enough to face seawards to the west; the constantly changing effects of
+light and colour reflected in the water itself. And on a wild or rugged
+coast, winter and stormy weather bring of course their own grand though
+terrible displays.
+
+But Southcliff, despite its promising name, was tame in the extreme. The
+'cliff' was so meagre and unimposing as to suggest the suspicion of
+being only an artificial or semi-artificial erection; the shore had no
+excitement about it, not even that of quicksands. It was the 'safest'
+spot all along the coast; even the most suicidally disposed of small
+boys could _scarcely_ come to mischief there. The tides went out and
+came in with an almost bourgeois regularity and respectability; there
+was no possibility of being 'surprised' by the waves; no lifeboat,
+because within the memory of man no vessel of any description whatever
+had been wrecked there; no lighthouse, no smugglers' caves of ancient
+fame, no possibility of adventure of any kind--'no nothing,' Bessie
+Harper was once heard to say, when she was very little, ''cept the sea
+and the sky.'
+
+A grand exception those, however, as we have said. And dull though it
+was, there were some people who loved the little place as their home,
+and were most ready to be happy in it.
+
+It had some few distinct advantages. It was _very_ healthy, and for
+these days very cheap. There was a good church, venerable and well cared
+for; the few, very few residents were all estimable and some
+interesting. Such as it was, take it all in all, it had seemed a very
+haven of refuge to Captain Harper and his wife when, some eight or ten
+years ago, they had pitched their tent there, after the last hopes of
+recovering any of Mrs Harper's lost money--hopes which for long had
+every now and then buoyed them up only to prove again delusive--had
+finally deserted them.
+
+'At anyrate,' the wife, with her irrepressibly sanguine nature, had
+said, 'we have the comfort of now knowing the worst. And Colin and
+Bertram are started. _What_ a good thing the boys were the eldest! There
+is only Fitz to think about, and we'll manage him somehow. For _of
+course_ the three girls will turn out well. Look at Camilla already.'
+
+Fitz was then about five--the youngest son, the youngest of the family
+excepting delicate little Margaret. He _was_ 'managed,' and not badly,
+though a public school was an impossibility; his destination proved to
+be the navy, and thither at the proper age he made his way in orthodox
+fashion. The girls, helped by their mother, and by their father too, did
+their best, and it was far from a bad best. They were naturally
+intelligent; intensely anxious to seize all opportunities of learning,
+so that a stray chance of half a dozen lessons in music or French did
+more for them than as many years will do for most ordinary girls; they
+were, the two elder ones at least, wonderfully healthy in mind and
+body, bright-tempered, faithful, unselfish, inheriting from their father
+the noble characteristics which in some mysterious way had in him so
+flourished as to oust all the reckless and contemptible qualities of the
+Bernard Harper who had half-broken his sister's heart, and brought down
+in sorrow to the grave his gray-haired father.
+
+But alas! they had _not_ known the worst, as the loving, brave-spirited
+wife and mother had believed. In some sense, it is true, they had not
+known the _best_, for the years had brought many satisfactions, many
+unlooked-for, though unimportant, mitigations of the poverty so hard to
+bear cheerfully--people had been 'very kind.' But the poverty itself had
+increased. There were literally unavoidable expenses for 'the boys,' if
+they were not to be stranded in their careers; there was an unexpected
+rising of the rent owing to their good landlord's sudden death by
+accident; there was, worst of all, the terrible strain of Captain
+Harper's ill-health. In itself this was sad enough for the wife and
+daughters who adored him: it became almost an agony when, joined to the
+knowledge that more money, and not so very much more, might both relieve
+his suffering and hold out a reasonable prospect of comparative
+restoration.
+
+One operation--now some years ago--had succeeded for the time; but not
+being followed by the treatment at home and residence abroad prescribed,
+the improvement had not been lasting. Then it was that Mrs Lyle had
+written to her aunt, with the result that we know. Her letter was
+returned unopened.
+
+Then there came a period of comparative comfort, and for two or three
+years the family at Hedge End (such was the not very euphonious name of
+the Harpers' house) took heart again, and began to be sure 'father was
+going to get well all of himself, after all.' And during this time some
+other cheering things came to pass. An old acquaintance of long-ago days
+between Mrs Harper and the Misses Scarlett was renewed by the ladies of
+Ivy Lodge coming to Southcliff one Midsummer holiday-time for sea-air,
+and this resulted in their offering to take Camilla, then almost
+grown-up, and later her younger sisters, on exceptionally moderate
+terms. The news from and of the far-away 'boys' was regular and good.
+The parents began to breathe freely, and to dare to hope that they had
+passed the worst of their troubles.
+
+But alas! it was only an interlude. Scarcely had Bessie and Margaret
+been settled at Ivy Lodge when there came anxiety about Colin--tidings
+of his prostration by a bad attack of fever; then, when he was able to
+write of his recovery, little Fitz broke his leg, and had to be brought
+home at the cost of much expense as well as distress to be nursed well
+again. And worst of all, through these many weeks a terrible suspicion
+was dawning on poor Captain Harper--a suspicion all too soon to be
+changed into a certainty--that he himself was falling back again, that
+the very symptoms he had been warned of were reappearing, and that
+unless something were done he might find himself a hopeless and complete
+cripple.
+
+He kept it to himself till Fitz was all right again; then it had to be
+told. And the painful journey to London, which Frances heard of at
+school, followed, with the great doctor's terribly perplexing verdict.
+
+What was to be done? Every conceivable suggestion was made and
+discussed, but so far no definite scheme had been hit upon.
+
+It was at this juncture that the mail which brought the letter from her
+mother so anxiously looked for by Frances Mildmay, brought also tidings
+from Mrs Lyle to her relations at Southcliff.
+
+_This_ letter came at breakfast-time; there was no mid-day post at the
+little bathing-place, but it was nearer London than Thetford.
+
+'From Aunt Flora, mother,' said Camilla, the only one besides her young
+brother now at home. 'I do hope it is cheerful, otherwise----No, I
+suppose it would not do for you to read it first before giving it to
+father?'
+
+Mrs Harper shook her head. She was a slight dark-haired woman, at first
+sight more like her youngest daughter than the others, but with a much
+more hopeful expression in her eyes, and far greater firmness and
+determination in all the lines of her face, so that, in spite of
+superficial dissimilarity, Bessie Harper really resembled her mother
+more nearly than either Camilla, calm, gentle, by nature possibly, a
+little indolent, or the nervous, anxious-minded Margaret.
+
+'No,' she replied, 'it is no use keeping anything from your father. He
+has got an almost magic power of finding out things. Besides, your Aunt
+Flora always tries to cheer him if she can. Put the letter on the tray
+beside his breakfast, Camilla. I will take it up myself.'
+
+Camilla and Fitz had almost finished their meal before Mrs Harper
+returned.
+
+'I do hope there's nothing wrong,' said Camilla, with the
+apprehensiveness which reiterated experience of ill-tidings begets in
+even the calmest nature.
+
+'It can't be my having broken my leg again,' said her brother, with a
+not very successful attempt at a joke; 'it was horrid, but I wouldn't
+mind breaking the other any day if it would save father's getting
+worse.'
+
+But at that moment their mother came in. Her face was decidedly brighter
+than when she had left the room.
+
+'Mother dear, do eat some breakfast. You'll be quite faint,' said
+Camilla, tenderly; 'I was nearly going after you to see if anything were
+the matter.'
+
+'No dear, thank you,' replied her mother. 'Your aunt's letter is
+unusually interesting. Fancy! is it not a curious coincidence?--rather a
+pleasant one, indeed--the Lyles have just made acquaintance at this new
+place with Colonel and Mrs Mildmay, the parents of the two girls at Miss
+Scarlett's.'
+
+Camilla looked up with a little misgiving.
+
+'Aunt Flora is not very discreet always, mother,' she said; 'I hope she
+won't have confided too much to Mrs Mildmay. It might come round in some
+disagreeable way to--Robin Redbreast.'
+
+'I think Mrs Mildmay must be particularly nice and sensible,' Mrs Harper
+replied. 'Of course your aunt has talked to her about Lady Myrtle and
+all the old story; it would scarcely have been in human nature,
+certainly not in Flora's nature, not to do so, when she found that her
+new friend was the daughter of Lady Jacinth Denison; but I don't see
+that it can do any harm. Mrs Mildmay has seen nothing of Lady Myrtle
+since she was a little child; it is only quite lately, as we know, that
+your great-aunt has come across the Mildmay girls, really by accident.
+Mrs Mildmay is pleased at it, for her mother's sake, but I am sure she
+is not a person to make any mischief. Indeed,' she added with some
+hesitation, 'it is just possible that indirectly it may do good. Not
+that your aunt suggests anything of the kind.'
+
+Camilla's face flushed.
+
+'I should hope not, indeed,' she said indignantly; 'when you think of
+the insult she exposed herself and us to, that time, mother, it would be
+_impossible_ ever to accept any help from Lady Myrtle.'
+
+But Mrs Harper did not at once reply. Her face had grown very grave, and
+her eyes seemed to be looking far into things.
+
+'I cannot quite say that,' she answered at last. 'There are times when I
+am afraid to say what I would not accept, for your father's sake. I feel
+as if I would consent to anything not wrong or sinful that could save
+him. And remember, we must be just. As things are, Lady Myrtle knows
+nothing of us except that we are poor. And there is every excuse for her
+deep-seated prepossessions against her brother Bernard's family. Pride
+must not blind our fair judgment, Camilla.'
+
+The girl did not reply. She felt the reasonableness of her mother's
+argument.
+
+'But oh,' she thought to herself, 'I should _hate_ to be indebted to
+Lady Myrtle for any help. What would I not do--what would we all not do,
+rather than that!'
+
+Her feelings might almost have been written on her face, for Fitz, who
+had been listening silently, though intently, to the conversation, here
+made a remark which might have been a remonstrance with her unspoken
+protest.
+
+'There's one thing to be said,' began the boy. 'Even though it's all
+Lady Myrtle's by _law_, it came to her from father's own grandfather. If
+our grandfather had been good, his share would have been his and then
+father's and then ours. There's a sort of right about it. It isn't as if
+it was all Lady Myrtle's own in any other way--through her husband, for
+instance--and that she did anything for us just out of pity, because we
+were relations. That _would_ be horrid.'
+
+Fitz was only fifteen, but he and Margaret seemed older than their
+years, as is not unusual with the youngest members of a large family.
+Besides, all the Harpers had grown up in full knowledge of and sympathy
+with their parents' anxieties. Living as they did, in closest family
+union, it would have been all but impossible to prevent its being so,
+save by some forced and unnatural reticence, the evil of which would
+have been greater than the risk of saddening the children by premature
+cares.
+
+So neither Mrs Harper nor her daughter felt the least inclined to 'snub'
+the boy for his observation, which contained a strong element of
+common-sense.
+
+'Lady Myrtle's wealth comes _in part_ from her husband,' said Mrs
+Harper. 'That makes one feel the more strongly that the Harper portion
+should to some extent return to where it is so needed. But your father
+has told me that the Elvedons are sure to inherit some of it, and that
+is quite right.'
+
+'And,' said Camilla, with a little effort, anxious to show her mother
+that she did wish to be quite 'fair-judging,' 'you know, Fitz, as we
+have often said, if our grandfather, being what he was, had got his
+share, it is most improbable that any of it would have come to father.
+After all,' she added with an honest smile that lighted up her quiet
+face and made it almost as bright as Bessie's--'after all, it was better
+for the money to be kept together by Lady Myrtle, than for it to be
+thrown away and _nobody_ to have any good of it. She is a generous old
+woman, too, in outside ways. I see her name in connection with several
+philanthropic institutions.'
+
+'And really good and well-managed things, your father says. She must be
+a wise and considerate woman,' said Mrs Harper.
+
+'All the more pity, then, that she and father have never come together,'
+said Camilla with a sigh. 'She would be able to appreciate him. I never
+could imagine any one wiser and juster than father--though you come
+pretty near him sometimes, I must say, mother;' and she smiled again.
+'Neither of you is ever the least bit unfair to any one, and it does
+take such a lot of self-control and--and--a wonderfully well-balanced
+mind, I suppose, to be like that.'
+
+'I have only learned it--if I have learned it--from your father,'
+replied Mrs Harper. 'At your age I was dreadfully impetuous and hasty. I
+often wonder, dear child, how you can be so thoughtful and helpful as
+you are.'
+
+Camilla's eyes sparkled with pleasure.
+
+'Mother,' she said, 'we mustn't degenerate into a mutual admiration
+society. I shall tell father how we've been buttering each other up all
+breakfast-time. It will amuse him. I'm going to see if he will have some
+more tea.'
+
+And she ran off.
+
+By mid-day Captain Harper was established on his sofa in the little
+drawing-room, which his wife and daughters still strove so _very_ hard
+to keep fresh and pretty. From this sofa, alas! especially now that
+winter was in the ascendant even at sheltered Southcliff, the invalid
+was but seldom able to move. For walking had become exceedingly painful
+and difficult, and so slow that even a little fresh air at the best part
+of the day could only be procured at the risk of chill and cold--a risk
+great and dangerous. And barely six months ago the tap of his crutch had
+been one of the most familiar sounds in the little town; he had been
+able to walk two or three miles with perfect ease and the hearty
+enjoyment which his happy nature seemed to find under all circumstances.
+It had not proved untrue to itself even now. There was a smile on his
+somewhat worn face--a smile that was seen in the eyes too, as real
+smiles should always be--as his daughter came into the room to see that
+he had everything he wanted about him.
+
+'It is really getting colder at last, father,' she said. 'At Thetford,
+Bessie writes, they have had some snow. And Margaret was delighted
+because it made her think of Christmas, and Christmas means coming
+home.'
+
+'Poor old Mag!' said Captain Harper. 'Mag' was his own special name for
+his youngest daughter; and no one else was allowed to use it. 'Poor old
+Mag! I really think she's very happy at school, though--don't you,
+Camilla? Bessie, I knew, would be all right, but I had my misgivings
+about Mag. And it is in every way such a splendid chance for them. It
+would be'----And he hesitated.
+
+'What, father?'
+
+'Such a pity to break it up,' he said, 'as--we have almost come to think
+must be done.'
+
+'They would be perfectly miserable to stay there, if they understood--as
+indeed they do now,' Camilla replied, 'that it would be only at the cost
+of what you _must_ have, father dear.'
+
+Her voice, though low, was very resolute. Captain Harper glanced at her
+half-wistfully.
+
+'I wish you didn't all see things that way,' he said. 'You see it's
+this, Camilla. If I go up to London to be under Maclean for three
+months, it _may_ set me up again to a certain point, but unless it be
+followed by the "kur" at the baths, and then by that other "massage"
+business within a year or so, it would be just the old story, just what
+it was before, only that I am three or four years older than I was,
+and--certainly not stronger. So this is the question--is it _worth
+while_? It will be at such a cost--stopping Bessie and Mag's schooling,
+wearing out your mother and you--for what will be more trying than
+letting this house for the spring, as must be done, and moving you girls
+into poky lodgings. That, at least, we have hitherto managed not to do.
+And then the strain on your poor mother being up alone with me in
+London--so dreary for her too. And at best to think that a partial,
+temporary cure is all we can hope for. No, my child, I cannot see that
+it is worth it. I am happy at home, and more than content to bear what
+must be, after all not so very bad. And I _may_ not get worse. Do,
+darling, try to make your mother see it my way.'
+
+It was not often--very, very seldom indeed--that Captain Harper talked
+so much or so long of himself. Now he lay back half-exhausted, his face,
+which had been somewhat flushed, growing paler than before.
+
+Camilla wound her arms round him and hid her face on his shoulder.
+
+'Father dearest,' she whispered, doing her best to hide any sign of
+tears in her voice, 'don't be vexed or disappointed, but I _can't_ see
+it that way. It seems presumptuous for me to argue with you, but don't
+you see?--the first duty seems so clear, to do what we _can_. Surely
+there can be no doubt at all about that? And who knows--_something_ may
+happen to make the rest of what is prescribed for you possible. And even
+if not, and if the three months in London only do a little good, at
+least we should all feel we had tried everything. Father dearest, if we
+_didn't_ do it, do you think mother and Bessie and I--and the boys when
+they hear of it, and even the two little ones--do you think we should
+ever again feel one moment's peace of mind? Every time you looked paler
+or feebler, every time we saw you give the least little wince of
+pain--why, I think we should go out of our minds. It would be
+unendurable.'
+
+Captain Harper stroked her fair soft hair fondly.
+
+'But, dear, suppose it doesn't do any good, or much? Suppose'--and his
+voice grew very low and tender--'suppose all this increased suffering
+and weakness is only the beginning of the end--and sometimes I cannot
+help thinking it would be best so--my darling, it would _have_ to be
+endured.'
+
+Camilla raised her tear-stained face and looked at her father bravely.
+
+'I know,' she said quietly. 'It may be. Mother and I don't deceive
+ourselves, though it is no use dwelling upon terrible possibilities. But
+even then, don't you see the difference? We should feel that we had done
+our best, and--and that more was not God's will.'
+
+'Yes,' said her father, 'I see how you mean. I suppose I should feel the
+same if it were about your mother or one of you.'
+
+'And father,' Camilla went on more cheerfully, 'don't worry about the
+girls leaving school; it won't do them lasting harm. They have got a
+good start, and they are still very young. Some time or other they may
+have another opportunity, as I had. And Margaret is such a delicate
+little creature. Father, I wouldn't have said it if they had been going
+to stay at Thetford, but I have had my misgivings about her being fit
+to be so far away. I fear she is very homesick sometimes.'
+
+'Do you really think so?' said Captain Harper with a start. 'Poor little
+soul! If I thought so--ah dear, my home was not much, but still while my
+mother lived it _was_ home, and oh how I remember what I suffered when I
+left it! Who is it that speaks of "the fiend homesickness?" The mere
+dread of it would reconcile me to having them back again.'
+
+'Then I am very thankful I told you,' said the girl. 'And father, is it
+not nice to know that in spite of everything we girls have _not_ come
+off badly? Bessie and Margaret took good places at once, and I did too,
+you know. Indeed, Miss Scarlett said that if I had thought of being a
+governess, she would have been very glad to have me.'
+
+'I know,' said her father. 'Well, there is no necessity for that as yet,
+except for governessing the younger ones as you used to do. And if
+things go better with me, even if I'm only not worse, when we come home
+again I can take you all three for Latin and German and mathematics.'
+
+Camilla's eyes sparkled. She was so delighted to have talked him into
+acquiescence and hopefulness.
+
+'We shall work so hard the three months we are by ourselves that you
+will be quite astonished,' she said. 'And old Mrs Newing will make us
+very comfortable; it's there we're to live, you know. It will really be
+great fun.'
+
+So from this time the move to London was decided upon for Captain and
+Mrs Harper.
+
+And when Bessie and Margaret bade their companions good-bye at the
+beginning of the Christmas holidays, they knew, though it had been
+thought best to say little about it, and the good Misses Scarlett
+refused to look upon it as anything but a temporary break, that it was
+good-bye for much longer than was supposed--good-bye perhaps and not
+improbably for always, to Ivy Lodge and Thetford and all their friends.
+
+Bessie felt it sorely. Little Margaret was all absorbed in the delight
+of going 'home' again. But both were at one in the real sorrow with
+which they parted from their companions, among whom no one had won a
+more lasting place in their affection than blunt, warm-hearted, honest
+Frances Mildmay.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+GREAT NEWS.
+
+
+The first Christmas at a strange place or in a new home is always full
+of mingled feelings. Even when the change has been a happy one, not
+brought about by sorrows of any kind, the old associations give a sort
+of melancholy to the thankfulness and joy we all wish to feel at this
+time. And for the young Mildmays it was more than natural that the
+sadness should predominate.
+
+'Only a year ago _how_ different it was!' sighed Frances, the first
+morning of the holidays, when there was no school to hurry off
+to--nothing particular to do or look forward to. 'I shall be very glad
+when it's time to begin lessons again.'
+
+'I don't see why you should feel so particularly gloomy just now,' said
+Jacinth, not unkindly. 'Things might have been a good deal worse than
+they are.'
+
+'People can always say that,' replied Frances. 'If you've got to have a
+leg cut off, you can say to yourself it might have been both legs. I
+daresay having Robin Redbreast to go to makes it much nicer for you; I
+suppose you'll go there a good deal during the holidays. But it doesn't
+make much difference to me. Lady Myrtle doesn't ask me often, and I
+don't want her to. I'm quite glad for you to go there, but it's not the
+same for me.'
+
+And again she sighed.
+
+'What _would_ make you happier, then?' asked Jacinth.
+
+'Oh, I don't know. Nothing that could be, I suppose. Nothing will make
+very much difference till papa and mamma come home. There are one or two
+things that are making me particularly unhappy, besides the thinking
+it's Christmas and how changed everything is, but--I daresay it's no
+good speaking of them.'
+
+'I know what one of them is,' said Jacinth. 'I can guess it: shall I
+tell you what it is?'
+
+'If you like,' Frances replied.
+
+'It's about the Harpers--Bessie and Margaret--not coming back again to
+school,' said her sister.
+
+'How did you know about it?' inquired Frances. 'They didn't tell even
+me--not really. But I know they were very sad about their father being
+so much worse, and once, a few days ago, Bessie said it was almost
+settled they were going to let their house at that place where they
+live, and that their father and mother were going to be a long time in
+London, and of course that will cost a lot of money--the going to
+London, I mean. And--I could tell,' and Frances's voice sounded rather
+suspicious--'I could tell--by the way, they kissed me--when--when they
+said good-bye--I could _tell_ they weren't coming back,' and here the
+choking down of a sob was very audible.
+
+For a wonder Jacinth did not seem at all irritated. Truth to tell, she,
+too, had felt very sorry for the Harper girls--Bessie especially--and as
+we know, though she did not allow it to herself, her conscience was not
+entirely at ease about them. Something had touched her, too, in Bessie's
+manner when they bade each other good-bye.
+
+'Will you kiss me, Jacinth?' Bessie had said. 'I have been so glad to
+know you.'
+
+'I have not felt sorry enough for them perhaps,' Jacinth had allowed to
+herself. 'But really, there are so many sad things in the world, one
+would wear one's self out with being sorry for everybody.'
+
+'How did you know about it?' Frances repeated.
+
+'I heard something a good while ago from Honor Falmouth; don't you
+remember?' said Jacinth. 'And last week she told me more, only she said
+they didn't want any fuss made about it. She heard it from friends. But
+Frances, do try and cheer up. You've been as kind--at least as
+affectionate--as you could be to the Harpers. We hadn't it in our power
+to ask them here or anything like that. I'm sure you tried to get Aunt
+Alison to ask them, over and over again. And you won't do them any good
+by crying about their troubles, you know, dear. Perhaps they may come
+back to school some time or other, even if they're away next term.'
+
+'Thank you, dear Jass,' said Frances, wiping her eyes. 'You're very
+kind. I'll try and not be dull.'
+
+She would perhaps have been less grateful for Jacinth's sympathy had she
+understood the relief it was to her sister, notwithstanding her genuine
+pity for them, to know that the Harpers were not likely to be associated
+with them any more. Their presence at Ivy Lodge, ever since the
+acquaintance with Lady Myrtle--more especially since Jacinth herself had
+become fully informed as to the whole history--had been a perpetual
+irritation and almost a reproach to her. And the pertinacity with which
+she repeated to herself that it was not her business to take up the
+cudgels in the Harpers' behalf, of itself suggested a weak point
+somewhere--a touch of the self-excusing which tries to whiten over the
+unacknowledged self-blame.
+
+_Now_, Jacinth could afford to let herself feel sorry for Bessie and
+Margaret and their family--could even picture to herself ways in which
+some day, in some vague future, she and Frances might show kindness to
+their former school-fellows.
+
+'If I were rich,' thought Jacinth, 'they're just the sort of people I'd
+love to be good to; of course one would have to do it very carefully, so
+as not to offend them.'
+
+Frances was still looking somewhat lugubrious when the door opened and
+Miss Mildmay senior came in. It was not very often that their aunt paid
+the girls a visit in their own little sitting-room, and they both looked
+up with some curiosity.
+
+'I had a letter from Lady Myrtle this morning,' she said. 'I did not
+want to speak about it before Eugene'--for Eugene had lately been
+promoted to breakfast down-stairs--'as I was not sure what you and
+Frances would wish about it. It is an invitation for you all--Eugene
+too--to spend Christmas at Robin Redbreast. Christmas _time_, I should
+say. Lady Myrtle invites you all three for a week, and Jacinth for a
+fortnight. What do you say?'
+
+Frances said nothing, but Jacinth looked up quickly.
+
+'I think it would be unnatural for us all to go away from you for
+Christmas, Aunt Alison,' she said.
+
+Miss Mildmay smiled.
+
+'A lonely Christmas would be nothing new to me, my dear child,' she
+said; but she spoke without any bitterness.
+
+'_I'll_ stay with you, Aunt Alison,' said Frances, eagerly. 'I really
+don't care about going to Robin Redbreast, and it's Jacinth Lady Myrtle
+wants. Do let me and Eugene stay here; Eugene needn't be told about it
+at all.'
+
+'Thank you, my dear,' said their aunt. 'Thank you both. But--do not
+think me ungracious--when I spoke of a lonely Christmas, I only meant
+that I have not been used to a family party. I am always very happy and
+very busy on Christmas--and I think I should be missed if I were not
+here. I should have told you that Lady Myrtle very kindly invites me
+too--for Christmas Day--but that would not suit me at all. I _must_ be
+here in the evening, and indeed I am wanted all day; but I was trying to
+arrange to do less, so as to be with you three in the afternoon at
+least.'
+
+'Then--to put it plainly--it would be rather a relief to you for us all
+to be away?' asked Jacinth.
+
+'Well, yes--in a sense it would. That is to say, if I knew you were
+happy and well looked after,' said Miss Mildmay, smiling again.
+
+'There, Francie,' said Jacinth, 'you see it is much the best thing that
+could have happened. And of course you and Eugene must come. I suppose
+we shall take Phebe, Aunt Alison?'
+
+'Certainly, my dear.'
+
+The mention of Phebe seemed to cheer Frances. 'I shouldn't mind so much,
+if Eugene and I could go walks,' she said. 'But you know, Aunt Alison,
+Jass _must_ be a great deal with Lady Myrtle, and I shouldn't know what
+to do all day, and Eugene wouldn't either.'
+
+'It'll be all right, you'll see,' said Jacinth, who, now that she was
+satisfied as to her aunt, felt in high spirits. 'You can go about just
+as you like with Phebe, and it's only for a week. I don't think I should
+stay more than a week, Aunt Alison?'
+
+'I cannot say,' her aunt replied. 'I almost think you should, if Lady
+Myrtle wishes it. That week--the week after Christmas week--I think I
+could help to amuse Frances and Eugene. We shall be having our
+children's feasts, and they could be very useful.'
+
+'I _should_ like that!' said Frances eagerly.
+
+So all seemed satisfactory, and Miss Mildmay left them, to write her
+answer to Lady Myrtle. Human nature is very inconsistent. The maiden
+lady of a certain age could not repress a sigh as she sat down at her
+desk: she had not realised till now that all was changed; how she had
+been looking forward to something like an orthodox Christmas for once,
+in her prim old house--how she had been planning about the plum-puddings
+and cakes, even while groaning a little over the reversal of her usual
+habits!
+
+'But it is much better as it is,' she decided. 'They will be quite
+happy, and poor old Lady Myrtle will be less lonely than for many years.
+She may be a good friend to Eugenia and the children in the future. And
+as for me, I don't know how they would have managed without me at St
+Blaise's, after all.'
+
+And the young Mildmays--Frances included--_were_ very happy at Robin
+Redbreast.
+
+Things settled themselves very much as Jacinth had foreseen. Under
+Phebe's care the two younger ones were left free to run about as they
+chose during such parts of the day as Jacinth found that their hostess
+liked to have her with herself. And the children were much more
+accustomed to this sort of life than if they had ever known thorough
+home care. For even at Stannesley Mrs Denison's age and fragile health
+had often made it impossible for them to be with her as much as she
+would have liked: they had early learned to be 'very good at amusing
+themselves.'
+
+On Christmas Day the large landau, quite roomy enough for half a dozen
+instead of four, took them all to Elvedon church, where they sat with
+Lady Myrtle in the square, be-curtained pew--one of those appropriated
+to the Court, which was kept for the lady from Robin Redbreast.
+
+'It felt very like Stannesley,' was the verdict of the two younger ones,
+who had not been at Elvedon before, which seemed to please Lady Myrtle.
+
+'Yes,' she said. 'I think you will feel more at home than if you spent
+the day at Thetford.'
+
+And the prettily decorated rooms, and the old folk who came in for
+dinner in the servants' hall, and the roast turkey and flaming
+plum-pudding and snapdragon afterwards--yes, though they were only such
+a very small party, just they three and the old lady instead of their
+own granny, and no Uncle Marmy to make his jokes--still it _was_ much
+more homelike than No. 9 Market Square Place could possibly have been.
+And when Frances went to bed that night, glancing with pleasure at the
+pretty presents so thoughtfully provided for her--a dear little gold
+pencil-case in a bracelet from Lady Myrtle, a pair of gloves from Aunt
+Alison, and a handkerchief with a red embroidered border from Jacinth
+and Eugene--the child felt that she had indeed a great many 'good
+things' to be thankful for.
+
+'If only'----she thought. 'Oh, how I would like to think that Bessie and
+Margaret are happy too! I am so afraid that they are very, very sad
+about their father.'
+
+Christmas Day was a Thursday. It was always considered a lucky
+coincidence by the young Mildmays when letters from their far-off
+parents reached them on the very day of any anniversary. But this year
+the Christmas budget only arrived the morning before Frances and Eugene
+were returning to Thetford. Miss Mildmay sent it on by a special
+messenger, knowing how anxious her nieces would be to get their letters.
+And a mysterious allusion in the little note from her which accompanied
+them made Jacinth start and call out to Frances.
+
+'Look at what Aunt Alison says, before you read your letter, Francie.
+What can she mean?'
+
+This was what Jacinth pointed to: 'I have heard from your father and
+mother also,' wrote Miss Mildmay. 'The great piece of news will surprise
+you as much as it has surprised me. I shall be glad to have you back
+again to talk it all over.' The sisters stared at each other, their lips
+parted and their breath coming quickly.
+
+Then said Jacinth at last: 'It can't be anything _wrong_, Francie. Aunt
+Alison never would have written of it like that, if it had been.'
+
+'No,' said Frances, though her voice was rather tremulous; 'of course it
+can't be.'
+
+'And,' continued Jacinth, 'how silly we are to sit here wondering about
+it, when we've only to look at our letters to know! Here goes, Francie!'
+and she tore open her own envelope; 'let's see which of us will get at
+it first.'
+
+Frances unfastened her letter more deliberately. It was a much shorter
+one than Jacinth's, and she had scarcely glanced at the first few lines
+when she sprang from her seat with a sort of shriek.
+
+'They're coming home, Jass! that's the secret. Oh Jass, Jass, listen:
+"As I may hope to see you before long, my darling, I won't attempt to
+write very much." That's it. Oh Jassie, sweet, they're coming home!'
+
+Jacinth's face had grown pink, then white again, whiter than usual, as
+she rapidly ran through her own letter.
+
+'Yes,' she said at last, 'it's--no, it's not _quite_ so good as that.
+Mamma's coming first: she'll be here in the spring; but papa's not
+coming for some months later. He's got to go somewhere for some kind of
+inspection, where mamma couldn't go with him, and after that, he's got
+six months' leave, which may or may not--I don't quite understand.
+Listen, Francie: "During this leave your father will have time to decide
+as to the future. It is possible he may have the offer of an appointment
+in England, which would obviate the necessity of our returning to India.
+But even if he has this chance, there are fors and againsts to consider:
+the appointment is not in some ways a very desirable one; it would
+oblige us to live for some, perhaps for several years in a large
+manufacturing town in the north of England, and it would be very hard
+work for your father. Still, we might--we _should_ be all together."'
+
+Frances heaved a deep sigh of intense longing.
+
+'Oh yes,' she said, 'that would be _everything_.'
+
+'No, I don't see that it would be,' said Jacinth. 'I should _hate_
+living in a place like that; and then think of the hard work for papa.
+When he does come home I want him to be quite his own master, and,
+and--to be rather grand, you know. I should not mind his having an
+appointment in London, or some county thing that wouldn't give him much
+to do, about here perhaps. But to go and slave in some horrid dirty
+place where there would be no one we could speak to; that would be a
+come-down after the position he has had in India.'
+
+'Oh Jass,' said Frances, 'don't let us spoil this beautiful news by
+thinking of anything disagreeable. Papa must know best, far better than
+we can. Do go on reading the letter. Mamma says I'm to ask you
+everything.'
+
+Jacinth's eyes returned to the sheets in her hand. Her face cleared a
+little.
+
+'There's something else,' she said. 'Oh, I should like that _far_
+better. Listen, Frances: "Your father has also the certainty of a
+good--as to position and agreeableness--appointment in London; but the
+pay would be much, much less, so he is not taking this into
+consideration. So the chances are that we may have to return to India
+after his leave is over, and be joined by you, dear Jass, a year later;
+though at worst I hope we shall be settled in England before my little
+Francie would be ready to come out. But I don't mean to think of
+anything at present but the unexpected joy of seeing you all three again
+so soon. I am writing to your aunt, to know if she can find a little
+house at Thetford where we can be together. You will just have been one
+year with her, and I do thank her for her care of you. It all seems to
+have fitted in so well. When you see Lady Myrtle Goodacre, thank her
+again from me for her kindness to you, and tell her what a pleasure it
+has been to me to think of it. Tell her, too, how much I am looking
+forward to meeting again my mother's dearest friend."'
+
+'You will tell Lady Myrtle at once,' said Frances.
+
+'Yes, of course,' said Jacinth, but she spoke half absently. Her eyes
+were still fixed on her mother's letter.
+
+'_I_ don't see why he shouldn't even "take it into consideration,"' she
+repeated to herself. 'We can't be so desperately poor as all that. _I_
+shall take it into consideration, any way, my dear mother;' and she
+smiled a little. 'Yes, Frances,' she went on, looking up, and speaking
+more decidedly; 'of course I'll tell Lady Myrtle. I think I'll go and
+tell her now. I know she is alone in the boudoir. And, Francie, you may
+tell Eugene.'
+
+'May I?' exclaimed Frances, jumping up. 'Oh, thank you, Jass. I'm not
+sure,' she went on, 'I'm not sure that Eugene can feel quite so--so
+_wild_ with happiness as I do. Oh Jass, it is almost too much. It takes
+my breath away.' She was running out of the room, when she looked back
+for a moment.
+
+'Jass,' she began with a little hesitation, 'does mamma say anything
+more about Mrs Lyle, _their_ aunt, you know? I wonder if she has seen
+her again?'
+
+'She is sure to have seen her again. They are living close together,'
+said Jacinth. 'But she doesn't say anything about her in this letter.
+Why should she?' Jacinth's tone was growing a little acrid. 'May she not
+for once be taken up with our own affairs? what can be more important
+than all she has to tell us? I do wish, Frances, you wouldn't drag these
+Harpers into everything; it is really bad taste.'
+
+Frances was not very clear as to what 'bad taste' meant, but she was
+very sorry to have vexed Jacinth.
+
+'It was only,' she said, 'only that it seems as if all the happiness
+were coming to us, and all the troubles to them. And I was so glad mamma
+was sorry for them.'
+
+'You speak as if they were our nearest relations,' said Jacinth,
+'instead of being, as they are, actual strangers.'
+
+But she was not sure if Frances heard her. She had already run off.
+
+Jacinth followed her down-stairs more slowly. They had been sitting in
+the elder girl's bedroom, which, with its cheerful outlook and pleasant
+arrangements of writing-table and bookcases and sofa, and fire burning
+brightly, was rather a favourite resort of theirs in the morning, before
+Lady Myrtle was free from her various occupations. For she was a busy
+and methodical old lady.
+
+The staircase was one of the pretty features of Robin Redbreast: though
+a spiral one, the steps were pleasantly shallow, and every here and
+there it was lighted by quaintly shaped windows.
+
+'How I love this house!' said Jacinth to herself, as she passed out
+round the gallery, already described, on into the conservatory, even at
+that mid-winter season a blaze of lovely brilliant colour. 'If--oh, if
+it were going to be our home some time or other, how beautiful it would
+be to look forward to! how delightful it would make mamma's coming back!
+I can't bear to think of papa's having that horrid appointment up in the
+north. I'd rather keep on as we are, and go out to India when I'm old
+enough.'
+
+She had loitered a moment among the flowers; the door of Lady Myrtle's
+boudoir was slightly ajar; the old lady's ears were quick; she heard
+even the slight rustle of Jacinth's skirts, and called out to her.
+
+'Is that you, dear Jacinth? Come in--I have finished my letters and
+accounts, and was just going to send for you.'
+
+And as the girl hastened in, Lady Myrtle looked up with a bright smile
+of welcome. It was pleasant to be thus greeted: a change from Aunt
+Alison's calm unimpassioned placidity.
+
+'Dear Lady Myrtle,' said Jacinth, 'I don't know how to tell you our
+news. We have got our Christmas letters from papa and mamma; Aunt Alison
+sent out a messenger on purpose with them. And Francie and I have just
+read them. And--what do you think?'
+
+She sat down on a stool at Lady Myrtle's feet and looked up in her face.
+The old lady laid her hand fondly on the girl's soft hair.
+
+'Nothing wrong, dear; I can see by your face. What can it be? Not--it
+can't be that they are coming home?'
+
+Jacinth's eyes sparkled.
+
+'Yes, indeed,' she said; 'that's just what it is. At least it's not
+quite that they're coming home for good; I wish it were. But if you
+like, if it won't bother you, I'll read you mamma's letter.'
+
+'Yes, do, dear,' said the old lady.
+
+And Jacinth did so, congratulating herself on what had disappointed
+Frances, that there was no mention at all in this letter of the Harper
+family or Mrs Lyle.
+
+Lady Myrtle listened with evidently extreme interest. When Jacinth had
+finished, there was a moment or two's silence. Then Lady Myrtle said
+quietly but decidedly: 'She must come straight here--your mother, I
+mean. I shall write to her myself. Don't you think that will be best? It
+will be the greatest satisfaction to me to see her--little Eugenia--how
+proud your dear grandmother was of her! A fair-haired, brown-eyed little
+creature. Not so like my Jacinth as you are, child. But that, one could
+not expect. It is not often that one sees such a likeness as yours to
+your grandmother. But I am so thankful to know I may hope to see your
+mother. Sometimes I have feared'----But here Lady Myrtle broke off
+without finishing her sentence. 'Jacinth, I want you to talk about it.
+What can I say to ensure her coming to me? I want to make her feel that
+it will be really like coming home?'
+
+'Say _that_ to her, dear Lady Myrtle,' Jacinth replied. 'Nothing could
+touch her more. And I am sure she will love to come here, at any rate
+for a while, at first. You see she speaks of living at Thetford till
+papa comes--of having a little house there and us with her. There would
+not be room in Aunt Alison's house, and besides, I think mamma would
+like to feel more independent with us three.'
+
+[Illustration: Jacinth sat down on a stool at Lady Myrtle's feet and
+looked up in her face.]
+
+'Of course. I would not at all advise her living in Market Square Place,
+even if there were room,' said Lady Myrtle. 'In a small house, and with
+your aunt being accustomed to be the authority--no, it would not do. But
+there would be no such difficulties here. Your mother must come to me
+first, and you three must be here, too, to meet her. And then, later on,
+if she thinks it better to take a little house--well, I shall not oppose
+her. I am not an unreasonable old woman, am I, my child?'
+
+'No, indeed,' said Jacinth warmly. 'And'--with a little smile--'I know
+mamma is very _sensible_. I can tell it by her letters, and even by what
+I remember of her. She is eager and hearty--sometimes Francie reminds me
+of her--but she is never fanciful or obstinate. It sounds impertinent of
+me talking like that of her, but I think you will understand. And I am
+sure you and mamma will suit each other.'
+
+'I am sure we shall, dear, though, in a sense, _you_ will always seem
+the _most_ of your grandmother to me, Jacinth. You see my most vivid
+memory of her is about your age; it is really as if she had come back to
+me, sometimes.'
+
+'I do so love you to say that,' said Jacinth.
+
+'But I want to speak of all your mother writes,' the old lady went on.
+'I--there can be no harm in my talking to you quite frankly, for I see
+your mother confides in you, and she is quite right to do so. Jacinth--I
+don't like the idea of that post, whatever it is, at Barmettle.'
+
+Jacinth drew a deep breath of relief.
+
+'Oh, I am so glad you think so,' she said. 'I scarcely liked to say
+it--it seems selfish--if it would save papa's going out again, and he
+has had so much of India; but it _would_ be rather horrid, wouldn't it?
+And almost a come-down, it seems to me. The other appointment in London
+would be so much nicer, only living at all _nicely_ in London is so
+dear, and the pay is smaller. Perhaps it will end after all in papa and
+mamma going back to India, and my joining them in two or three years.'
+
+Lady Myrtle put out her hand, and clasped Jacinth's firmly in hers.
+
+'No, my child,' she said. 'That must not be. I think when one gets as
+old as I am, one may be a little selfish; that is to say, if one's
+selfishness does no one any harm. And your parents have had enough of
+India; there can be no necessity for their return there, nor for your
+joining them. No, I could not consent to lose you again--the one thing
+that has been sent to cheer me! Put all such possibilities out of your
+mind, my Jacinth. I will write to your mother.'
+
+'And what shall I say to her?' asked Jacinth. 'About all you have said,
+I mean.'
+
+'Refer her to me. But tell her how you are all--_we_ are all--counting
+on her coming first to Robin Redbreast, and that then we shall be able
+to talk over everything. Tell her I cannot consent to giving you up;
+tell her, as I hope you can, that this place is beginning to feel like
+home to you.'
+
+'You know I feel it so, dear Lady Myrtle,' said Jacinth simply. 'I think
+I have been happier here already than I have ever been anywhere else.
+And I am so glad this news has come while we were here. It makes it
+doubly delightful. And we shall remember that it came to us here--this
+Christmas week.'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+'"CAMILLA" AND "MARGARET," YES.'
+
+
+There was a great writing of letters during the next day or two at Robin
+Redbreast. And both Lady Myrtle and the children found it difficult to
+give their attention to anything but the absorbing subject of Mrs
+Mildmay's return.
+
+And in response to a pressing invitation from the old lady, Miss Mildmay
+actually managed to spare or make time to come out to Robin Redbreast to
+'spend the day'--that is to say, three or four hours of it, so that she
+and Lady Myrtle might have a talk about the plans under discussion.
+
+The day chosen was the one in which Frances and Eugene were to return to
+Market Square Place. The big carriage was to take them and their aunt
+and Phebe home in the afternoon, leaving Jacinth for another week at
+Robin Redbreast.
+
+Never had her nieces found Miss Mildmay so pleasant and almost genial.
+She was greatly delighted at the news of her sister-in-law's
+return--delighted and relieved. For it had begun to strike her rather
+uncomfortably that what she had undertaken was all but an impossibility.
+She was very conscientious, as I have said, and no self-deceiver. She
+saw that the girls, as they grew older, were becoming not less but more
+in need of sympathy and guidance in their out-of-school life--sympathy
+and guidance which at best she felt very doubtful of being able to give
+them, _even_ if she sacrificed all the other duties and occupations
+which had for so many years made her life, for their sakes. And the
+sacrifice would have been a very tremendous one.
+
+The doubts and perplexities were increasing daily in her mind when there
+came this most welcome and little expected news, followed by the almost
+as welcome tidings of Lady Myrtle's eager offer of hospitality to the
+children's mother.
+
+'It is very good, very, very kind and good of her,' said Miss Mildmay to
+herself. 'The children's making friends with her really seems to have
+brought good-luck. And she may be of lasting and substantial help to
+Frank and Eugenia. Not exactly because she is rich--Frank is far too
+proud to take anybody's money--but she may have interest that would be
+of use to him. And there would be nothing unnatural in her leaving
+something to Eugenia or to Jacinth. I don't suppose she means to leave
+everything to the Elvedons, for a good deal would have been her own
+share in any case, and a good deal her husband must have left her. By
+the bye, I have always forgotten to ask Miss Scarlett if the Harper
+girls she has, or had--some one said they had left--were any relation to
+the Elvedon family. Nice girls, evidently, but very badly off, I fancy.'
+
+And then she forgot about the Harpers again.
+
+But with her grateful feelings to Lady Myrtle, Miss Mildmay naturally
+felt that the least she could do was to clear a day for herself by
+working extra hard, so as to be able to spend part of it at Robin
+Redbreast, as the old lady much wished her to do.
+
+And she was in her happiest and most cheerful mood, and all would have
+gone just as Jacinth wished, but for one unfortunate allusion, which
+came in the first place, strange to say, from considerate, cautious Miss
+Alison Mildmay herself.
+
+Lady Myrtle and her new guest had a long talk by themselves in the first
+place. Then Jacinth, anxiously waiting, heard the boudoir-bell ring, and
+a message was brought to herself asking her to join them.
+
+'Come in, my dear child,' said her old friend; 'your aunt and I have
+been enjoying a good talk. It is so pleasant when such things end in
+people quite agreeing with each other, is it not?' she added, turning to
+Miss Mildmay with a smile.
+
+Jacinth's anxious face cleared.
+
+'Then you do think Lady Myrtle's plan best, Aunt Alison?' she said.
+
+'I think it a delightful one, for all concerned,' said Miss Mildmay. 'I
+have been explaining to Lady Myrtle all my--my conflicting feelings. For
+much as I should like to have your mother with me, I know it would not
+be as comfortable as I should wish, nor should I be able to see very
+much of her, unless'----
+
+'Forgive my interrupting you, my dear Miss Mildmay,' interposed Lady
+Myrtle; 'but I wish you would not worry yourself about all these
+questions, now that they are settled and done with. Eugenia shall come
+straight to Robin Redbreast for as long as I can get her to stay, and
+that will be as long as she wishes. The children, as well as Jacinth,
+_my_ child'--and she glanced up affectionately at the young girl
+standing beside her--'shall be here to receive her, and you too, Miss
+Mildmay, if you will so far honour me. It will be about Easter
+probably; there are holidays then, I believe, which will be all the
+better. And there need never be any difficulty about sending you all
+three to school and fetching you, even when it is not holiday time. Then
+if Eugenia prefers to take a little house temporarily at Thetford, I
+shall leave her free to do so, though I may have my private _hopes_ on
+this matter.'
+
+Lady Myrtle's eyes were quite sparkling, and there was a bright colour
+in her cheeks. It was very pleasant to see her so eager and happy.
+Jacinth, in spite of her aunt's repressing presence, could not help
+stooping down and gently kissing the soft old face.
+
+'And to look further forward still,' Lady Myrtle continued, holding
+Jacinth's hand which she had possessed herself of, 'your aunt and I are
+of accord on another point, my child. Your father must not return to
+India; he has had enough of it. And your mother too.'
+
+'Then you think he should accept'----began Jacinth.
+
+'We will not go into particulars,' she replied, patting Jacinth's hand.
+'To begin with, Colonel Mildmay has not consulted me. He must first get
+to know me. But--no, of course that dreadful Barmettle is out of the
+question. You might almost as well be all in India, as far as I am
+concerned, for all I should see of you. But all that is some way off
+still. The first thing to do is to get your mother's promise to come
+straight here.'
+
+'I am sure she will,' said Jacinth. 'I don't feel any anxiety about
+that.'
+
+'Nor do I,' said her aunt.
+
+Just then the luncheon gong sounded, and they all went down-stairs in
+the best of spirits. In the dining-room they were joined by Frances and
+Eugene, who thanks to the genial influences of the morning's news, ran
+up to Miss Mildmay, and kissed her much more effusively than was usual
+with them.
+
+'How well you are both looking!' she said, and Lady Myrtle glanced
+round, pleased at the remark. 'I don't think his mother will recognise
+Eugene,' Miss Mildmay went on. 'Well, no, she could scarcely do that in
+any case. But I mean to say I think she will find it difficult to
+believe we are not cheating her altogether when she sees this great,
+strong, rosy fellow. He was such a poor little specimen!'
+
+'He must have been brought home in time, however,' said Lady Myrtle.
+'Ah, yes, our Indian possessions cost us dear in some ways. Though it is
+nothing to the old days; my people were soldiers for generations you
+know, so we had full experience of these difficulties. I and my brothers
+were born in India; my father was only captain in his regiment when he
+came into the Elvedon title and property unexpectedly. He would have
+lived to be very distinguished, I feel sure, if he had not left the
+army;' and she sighed a little.
+
+'But you have distinguished relatives in the army still,' said Miss
+Mildmay. 'The Captain Harper who was wounded at----after his most
+gallant conduct. He is a relation, is he not? I heard about him from
+Miss Scarlett: you know his daughters were at Ivy Lodge, and'----
+
+'Indeed!' said Lady Myrtle, and a very strange expression came into her
+voice--not annoyance, not even constraint--more like a sort of repressed
+anxiety and painful apprehensiveness. 'Indeed! No, I do not
+remember--what were you going to say?'
+
+For Miss Mildmay had stopped abruptly. She was seated opposite Jacinth,
+and as she got to her last words, some consciousness made her glance
+across the table at her elder niece. In an instant she saw her mistake,
+and recalled her own vague warnings to the girls to avoid allusions to
+Lady Myrtle's family history. But she was far from cowardly, and
+essentially candid. And in her mind there had been no mingling of any
+selfish motive; nothing but the desire to prevent any possible annoyance
+to their kind old friend had prompted her few words of advice to the
+girls. And now the strange look--a look almost of restrained anger--on
+Jacinth's face positively startled her.
+
+'I may have been mistaken in my impression that the family in question
+was in any way related to you,' she said quietly. 'One should be more
+cautious in such matters.'
+
+'Yes,' said Lady Myrtle, nervously, 'I think you must have been
+mistaken. I do not know anything of such people, and Harper is not a
+very uncommon name. By the way, that reminds me--was it you, my dear?'
+and she turned somewhat abruptly to Frances--'was it not you who once
+mentioned some school-fellows of the name, and afterwards something was
+said which removed the impression that they could possibly be Elvedon
+Harpers? I am confused about it.'
+
+All this time Frances's eyes had been fixed on her plate; she had
+scarcely dared to breathe since her aunt's allusion. Now she looked up,
+bravely, though her cheeks were flaming and her heart beating as if to
+choke her. An inner voice seemed to tell her that the moment had come
+for _something_ to be said--the something which even Camilla Harper in
+her letter had not debarred her from, which her own mother had hoped
+some opportunity might arise for.
+
+And in spite of Jacinth's stony face, and her aunt's evident wish to
+change the subject which she herself had brought on to the _tapis_,
+Frances spoke out.
+
+'Yes, Lady Myrtle,' she said clearly. 'It was I that spoke about Bessie
+and Margaret Harper. They were at school with us then, and before that,
+their big sister Camilla was there. But they've left now, I'm afraid,'
+and her voice trembled a little. 'I think it's because their father's
+very ill, and it costs a lot, and they're not at all rich. They're the
+very nicest girls in the world; oh, they _are_ so good and nice.--You
+said so too, Jacinth?'
+
+Lady Myrtle's eyes turned to Jacinth.
+
+'Yes,' the elder girl replied coldly; 'I believe they are very nice
+girls. But I did not know them nearly as well as you, Frances. I do not
+care for making friends as you do.'
+
+'No,' said Frances, rather lamely. 'I know you don't; but still I'd like
+you to tell Lady Myrtle how nice they are.'
+
+'Why should it interest Lady Myrtle to hear about your school-fellows,
+my dear?' said Miss Mildmay, surprised and a little annoyed by Frances's
+rather pertinacious manner. 'These girls are very nice, I have no doubt;
+indeed I recollect Miss Scarlett speaking very highly of them; but no
+one doubts it. I think all your school-fellows must be nice girls--not
+only the Harpers. And the name may be a mere coincidence. I have never
+heard certainly that they were of the Elvedon family.'
+
+Lady Myrtle had not seemed to be attending to what Miss Mildmay said.
+She was speaking to herself.
+
+'"Camilla,"' she murmured softly, '"Camilla" and "Margaret." Not
+"Bessie;" no I never heard of a Bessie, and "Margaret" is not uncommon.
+But "Camilla"--yes, I suppose it must be.'
+
+But just as she said this, Miss Mildmay's last words--the good lady had
+rather an emphatic way of speaking--rang out clearly: 'I have never
+heard certainly that they were of the Elvedon family.'
+
+'That's just it,' said Frances, and by this time Lady Myrtle's attention
+was fully caught. 'Of course I don't mean to contradict you, Aunt
+Alison, but I _do_ know they're the same family, and so they are
+relations of Lady Myrtle's. And it's not only that I like them. I'm so
+very sorry for them, so _very_ sorry. They are all so good, and they
+have so very, very many troubles,' and here the irrepressible tears rose
+to poor Frances's eyes, and she turned her head away abruptly.
+
+Lady Myrtle glanced at her and then at Jacinth. Jacinth's face was quiet
+and very grave.
+
+'You are a very loyal friend, I see, Frances,' said the old lady; and
+rather to every one's surprise the words were accompanied by a little
+smile, and then she turned to Jacinth.
+
+'I don't think you have ever named these--these Harpers--to me, have
+you, my dear?' she asked.
+
+Jacinth looked up at once.
+
+'No,' she said; 'I have not, and I have refrained from doing so on
+purpose. I--I did not think it concerned me, and you might not have
+liked it. I--I should be so sorry to vex you.'
+
+The appeal in her eyes touched Lady Myrtle more than Frances's tears.
+And in what she said, so far as it went, Jacinth was sincere. She did
+shrink from any possible allusion that could annoy or upset her kind
+friend; and the selfish motives underlying the prejudice, almost
+amounting to positive dislike, which she had allowed to take root in her
+feelings to the Harpers, she blinded herself to, or called by some other
+name.
+
+Lady Myrtle was silent, but there was no resentment in her face. She
+only looked sad--very, very sad.
+
+'You know these girls very much less well than Frances did,' said Miss
+Mildmay, whose sympathies were just now all with Jacinth. 'You see,' she
+went on, turning to her hostess, 'Frances has been in the habit of
+spending holiday afternoons at school--sometimes when you had kindly
+invited Jacinth here, on a Saturday, for instance.'
+
+Lady Myrtle started a little. Her thoughts had been far away. She leaned
+forward and took hold of Jacinth's hand--Jacinth was sitting next to
+her, and the servants had left the room--and patted it affectionately.
+
+'Of course. I know Jacinth is very, very thoughtful for me,' she said.
+'And I see that you understand it, my dear Miss Mildmay. Not that I am
+vexed with little Frances. I like children to be children, and of all
+things I like a loyal friend.'
+
+Then she at once and with evident intention, which the others were quick
+to read, changed the subject of conversation. On the whole, vexed though
+she was with Frances's persistence--'self-willed obstinacy' as she
+called it to herself--Jacinth felt that the dreaded crisis had passed
+off better than might have been expected, and in some things it was a
+relief. Things were on a clearer basis now.
+
+'It was bound to come, I suppose,' she said to herself. 'Mamma seems
+almost as impulsive and quixotic as Frances--quite bewitched by these
+people. But at worst there's nothing more to tell now, and Lady Myrtle
+appreciates my feelings if no one else does.'
+
+Frances, on her side, though her heart was still beating tumultuously,
+felt glad that she had had the courage and opportunity to say what she
+had. But for her dread of a private reprimand from Jacinth afterwards,
+the little girl would on the whole have had a somewhat lightened heart
+about her friends. For, as she said to herself, 'Lady Myrtle had
+certainly not seemed angry.'
+
+Strange to say, the anticipated reproof from Jacinth never came. It was
+true there was not much time for any private talk between the sisters,
+for Frances and Eugene went back to Market Square Place that same
+afternoon with their aunt. But even when, a week later, Jacinth herself
+rejoined them there a day or two before the reopening of Ivy Lodge
+school, there was no mention of the Harpers, and no allusion to what had
+passed at luncheon the day of Miss Mildmay's visit to Robin Redbreast.
+
+'Can it be that Lady Myrtle is really going to be kind to them, and that
+she told Jacinth not to be vexed with me?' thought sanguine little
+Frances. She would have felt less hopeful had she known that not one
+word had passed between her sister and the old lady on the subject of
+her unknown relations. And Jacinth had simply made up her mind to think
+no more about them; her conscience now being, or so at least she told
+herself, completely at rest--the matter entirely out of her hands.
+
+It was the easier to carry out this resolution that Bessie and
+Margaret's places were vacant, though no one seemed very clearly to
+understand why they had not returned, and the Misses Scarlett expressed
+the heartiest regret that they had not done so. Honor Falmouth too had
+left, but this had been known by anticipation to her companions for
+some time. And in the little world of a school, as in the bigger world
+outside, it is not for long that the circles in the waters of daily life
+mark the spot of any disappearance; it has to be so, and does not
+necessarily imply either heartlessness or caprice. We are limited as to
+our powers in all directions--the more marvellous that somewhere,
+invisible, unsuspected, our innermost self lives on. And far down, below
+the surface restlessness and change, may we not hope that we shall find
+again the fibres of loving friendships and pure affections whose roots
+were deep and true, though at times it may seem that like other precious
+and beautiful things they were but as a dream?
+
+Frances missed her friends sadly, the more so that not knowing their
+exact address, and half afraid also to do such a thing on her own
+responsibility, she could not write to them. But nothing depressed
+Frances now for very long or very deeply. She had found a panacea. All
+would be right soon, 'when mamma comes home.'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+MAMMA.
+
+
+At Thetford the weeks till Easter--it came in the middle of April that
+year--passed quickly. It is true that every morning, when Frances scored
+out one of the long row of little lines she had made to represent the
+days till that of her mother's arrival, she could not repress a sigh at
+the number yet remaining. But still the time, even for her, passed
+quickly. For she was busy--working more steadily at her lessons than
+ever before, in the hope of having satisfactory progress to show--and
+full of the happiest anticipations. Morning and night the faithful,
+simple-hearted girl added to her other petitions the special one that
+things might be so over-ruled as to prevent the necessity of further
+separation.
+
+'It can't be wrong to ask it,' she said to herself, 'for God made
+fathers and mothers and children to be together. It's something wrong
+somewhere when they can't be. And I've got a feeling that it _is_ going
+to be like that for us now. I don't care a bit where we live--that place
+in the north or anywhere--if only we're with them.'
+
+Jacinth, too, on the whole was happy in her own way. Personally,
+perhaps, she longed less for her mother's presence and sympathy than
+Frances did, for she was by nature more self-sufficing. And when one
+scarcely knows till one is fifteen or sixteen what it is to have a
+mother and a real home of one's own, small wonder if the inestimable
+blessings of such possessions are barely realised. Then, too, Jacinth's
+frequent visits to Lady Myrtle, and the old lady's ever-increasing
+affection for and interest in her had almost filled up the voids the
+girl had at first felt bitterly enough in her new life. She would in
+many ways have been quite content for things to go on as they were for a
+year or two. And if she built castles in the air, it must be allowed
+that Lady Myrtle was to a great extent responsible for their
+construction.
+
+'I can scarcely fancy feeling as if mamma were more of a mother to me
+than you seem now,' she said one day to her old friend.
+
+'Nay,' Lady Myrtle replied, 'I must represent a grandmother. You really
+do not know what a mother feels like, dear child.'
+
+'Well,' Jacinth went on, 'perhaps that's it. But somehow I think mamma
+will seem more a sort of elder sister to me. And I hope she will take it
+that way. We shall get on better if she does. I--I'm afraid I shouldn't
+be very good about giving in. You see I've never had to do it much.'
+
+She smiled a little as she made the confession.
+
+'I can scarcely imagine you anything but docile, my dear,' said Lady
+Myrtle; 'but then, of course, I know I have not seen you really tested.
+I fancy, however, there will be a mingling of the elder-sisterly feeling
+in your relations to your mother, and I hope there will be. I think she
+has a high opinion of your good sense and judgment, and I don't expect
+that she will have any cause to change her opinion.'
+
+Jacinth sat silent for a moment or two. She seemed to be thinking
+deeply; her eyes were fixed on the fire, where the wooden logs were
+throwing out brilliant gleams of varying colours, reflected on the
+bright brasses of the grate and fender.
+
+'How pretty everything here always is!' she said at last. 'Even to the
+burning wood. Look, Lady Myrtle, it is blue and purple and even green.'
+
+'They are old ship logs,' her friend replied. 'It is the brine in them
+that makes the colours.'
+
+'Oh dear,' said Jacinth again with a little sigh, 'how I should love a
+pretty home. Lady Myrtle, I am afraid you will be shocked at me, but do
+you know I sometimes almost feel I would rather papa and mamma went back
+to India next year than that we should have to go to live at that
+horrible dingy Barmettle.'
+
+Lady Myrtle was not _shocked_. Still, she was too unselfish by nature
+herself not to be quick to check any symptoms of an opposite character
+in one she really cared for, glad though she was to have Jacinth's full
+confidence.
+
+'I think you would bear such a trial as that, readily and cheerfully, if
+it were for your father and mother's good,' she said. 'And after all,
+where we live is not of the importance that I daresay it seems to you.
+Some of the truly happiest people I have ever known have been so in
+spite of the most uncongenial surroundings you can imagine.'
+
+'I'm not as good as that,' said Jacinth in a melancholy voice. 'I can't
+bear ugly, messy places; above all, messy, untidy places make me
+perfectly cross and miserable.'
+
+Lady Myrtle could not help laughing a little at her tragic tone.
+
+'I don't see that, even if you had to live at Barmettle, your home need
+be ugly and untidy,' she said.
+
+'I don't know. I've been thinking a good deal about it,' Jacinth
+replied. 'You see, mamma will have been so long in India that she will
+have got out of English ways. She must be accustomed to lots of servants
+and to have everything done for her. I'm afraid it will be very
+difficult and uncomfortable.'
+
+'But she would have you and Frances to help her,' said Lady Myrtle. 'At
+least--no, dear Jacinth, you really must not anticipate troubles that
+may never, that I trust _will_ never come.'
+
+Then she hesitated and stopped short, and seemed to be thinking deeply.
+
+'My dearest child,' she said at last, 'you are very young, and I have a
+great dread of forgetting how young you are. I have too, as you know, a
+very great respect for parental authority. I would never take upon
+myself to interfere in any real way with your life, unless I had your
+father and mother's approval. But this I may say, so far as I can
+possibly influence them and the whole circumstances, you may rely upon
+it that this nightmare of Barmettle shall never be anything but a
+nightmare. Though at the same time I am most strongly of opinion that
+your father must _not_ return to India.'
+
+'Oh, thank you, dear Lady Myrtle, thank you a thousand times for what
+you say,' said Jacinth.
+
+'It is your father's health I am thinking of too,' said the old lady.
+'Your aunt feels sure that it is time for him to come home for good. He
+has been out there so long, and he is not a young man. He is a good deal
+older than your mother.'
+
+'Yes,' Jacinth replied. 'He is fifteen years older; and mamma has always
+been wonderfully strong. But even for her it would be much nicer to
+come home now. Seventeen years is a long time, and only one year and one
+six-months at home! Oh, I do feel so much happier since you have spoken
+so to me--even though it makes me rather frightened about papa. It would
+be terrible for his health to fail.'
+
+'We must make him take it in time,' said Lady Myrtle cheerfully. 'I
+don't think there is any cause for immediate anxiety. Yes--nothing is
+sadder than when the head of a house breaks down prematurely.'
+
+Her words, following upon her own, struck Jacinth curiously. What was it
+they made her think of? What family had she been hearing of whose father
+was in bad health? Ah--yes, it was these Harpers! How tiresome it was
+that they seemed always to be 'turning up,' as Jacinth expressed it to
+herself! There were scores and scores of other families in as bad
+trouble as they; the world was full of such cases.
+
+'If Frances had been here,' thought Jacinth, 'she would have been
+certain to begin about them and their father--only annoying Lady Myrtle
+and doing no good. Not but that I'm very sorry for them. I hope their
+father is better, I'm sure.'
+
+Alas! these two or three months had not passed so quickly or so brightly
+in the--no, I must not say in the Harpers' pleasant though plain old
+house at Southcliff, for Hedge End was let, and the three girls were
+living in Mrs Newing's tiny rooms in Harbour Street--the rooms where
+Camilla had declared they would be so cosy and comfortable, enjoying a
+rest from all housekeeping cares.
+
+And as far as the material details of their life was concerned they
+would have been more than content, though it was a new experience to
+them to be even temporarily without a home; and now and then Camilla
+and Bessie grew a little anxious about Margaret, and wondered if they
+were taking as good care of her as mother would have done. For the
+little girl looked very pale and delicate sometimes, and her appetite
+was fitful.
+
+'I wonder if it is Mrs Newing's cooking,' said Camilla to her
+confidante, Bessie. 'At home we could always get some nice little thing;
+mother is so clever in that way, with father having been so long ill.
+But here it would be impossible to try to cook anything ourselves.'
+
+'And whatever we do, we mustn't worry mother about Margaret,' said
+Bessie. 'Mother needs all the cheering possible to keep up her spirits,
+with dear father being so suffering still. Oh, Camilla, I _wonder_ if we
+shall soon have better news?'
+
+Things had not improved, even to the limited extent which was all that
+Captain Harper had counted upon, as rapidly as the former time that he
+had been an inmate of the private hospital for three months. He was
+weaker than then, and perhaps his intense anxiety to benefit by the
+effort that had in every sense cost them all so dear, was against him.
+
+The doctors, so wrote Mrs Harper to her elder girls, now spoke of three
+months more, not as desirable but as a necessity. And how it was to be
+managed she could not see. Furthermore, to give a chance of anything
+approaching cure, or rather lasting improvement, the regulation visit to
+the German baths _must_, they now declared, be followed up by a winter
+in a mild, dry climate.
+
+'Of this,' said the mother, 'we are not even _thinking_. The three more
+months here are all we can contemplate, and I dare not tell your father
+how impossible even that seems. It is out of the question, as he is, to
+move him to an ordinary hospital where I could not be with him. I
+believe if we did so he would give up the struggle and quietly resign
+himself to leaving us.'
+
+'Camilla, he _must_ stay,' said Bessie. 'There is one thing, these
+people do want to keep on the house longer?'
+
+'For two months--not three,' said Camilla, 'and we have not yet given
+them a decided answer.'
+
+'Then let us take it upon ourselves _to_ decide,' said Bessie. 'And we
+will write and tell mother that is settled. And what else _can_ we do,
+Camilla? Father _must_ stay as long as the doctors think necessary. It
+is the middle of March now; he has been there two months. I suppose he
+should stay till the middle or end of July.'
+
+'And then go abroad,' said Camilla.
+
+'Ah well, we scarcely can hope for that. But I think, Camilla, you
+should write to Aunt Flora: father will never do it, and mother would
+not without his leave. But _we_ can. Ask her to lend us some money,
+whatever is strictly necessary, and tell her that _somehow_ we will
+repay her. She is very generous, and she would never forgive us if we
+let father lose the last chance, for want of anything she could do.'
+
+'But she has so little ready money,' said Camilla. 'I don't know if they
+are bad managers, for they have a good income, but it all seems to go.'
+
+'Father says they cannot help it. Uncle Lyle has so much to keep up out
+there--entertaining and all sorts of things,' said Bessie. 'But I am
+sure they would manage to lend us--how much?--fifty or a hundred pounds?
+And Camilla, we _will_ repay it. Can we not save a little on our living?
+I suppose we couldn't do with a room less; it would not be wholesome
+for Margaret. And for her sake too we must not attempt still plainer
+food.'
+
+'No,' said Camilla, 'I fear that is impossible. You see Margaret is so
+quick. She would notice in a moment if you and I eat less or at all
+differently from her. But--yes, perhaps the time has come when we must
+apply definitely to Aunt Flora. I will write by the next mail.'
+
+'And Camilla, if we tide over this present trouble,' said Bessie, 'I
+think you or I must do something--something to earn money by. I am too
+young to be a governess yet, but I know--she almost said it to me--that
+Miss Scarlett would take me even now as a sort of pupil-teacher, and two
+years hence I think I might be a governess--to young children.'
+
+'It may have to be,' the elder sister agreed. 'But the question is
+_which_ of us should go. I could be a governess already, but then that
+stops your and Margaret's education. And, Bessie, it would be rather
+additionally trying to father and mother--father especially--for you to
+be in that kind of position at _Thetford_, the very part of the country
+our family comes from. And so near to Robin Redbreast too.'
+
+Bessie reared her head. '_I_ don't mind that,' she said. 'I should
+rather like it the better.'
+
+'But _father_?' said Camilla gently. And brave Bessie was silent.
+
+The letter to Mrs Lyle was written and sent. It reached her in her new
+Indian quarters about ten days before Mrs Mildmay started on her return
+home.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It was May; the charming capricious month we dream of all the year
+round, always believing--thanks to poets and childish remembrances
+rose-coloured by the lapse of time--that if the weather is cold and
+gray and generally disappointing this year, it is quite an exception and
+never has been so before: it was May before the day came on which Lady
+Myrtle Goodacre's landau set off in state for Thetford railway station,
+with Jacinth, Frances, and Eugene already occupying it, and a vacant
+seat for Miss Alison Mildmay whom they were to call for on the way.
+
+Frances and even Eugene were almost speechless with excitement: Jacinth,
+though wound up to a tremendous pitch, was too proud and too
+self-contained by habit to show what she was feeling.
+
+'Lady Myrtle _hopes_ you will come back with us, Aunt Alison,' she said
+quietly, 'at least to spend the rest of the day, as you wouldn't consent
+to come to stay for two or three.'
+
+Miss Mildmay, before replying, glanced at her niece with a curious sort
+of admiration, not altogether free from disappointment.
+
+'Jacinth certainly is extraordinarily self-controlled,' she thought.
+Very self-controlled, like very reserved people do not always entirely
+appreciate their own characteristics in another! But aloud she replied
+much in the same matter-of-fact tone.
+
+'It is very good of her, but I would rather find my own way home from
+the station. I will come out to Robin Redbreast to-morrow or the day
+after to have a talk with your mother. She will have more than enough to
+occupy her to-day.'
+
+Jacinth secretly commended her aunt's good sense, but the younger ones
+seemed a little sorry. They wanted everybody to be as happy as
+themselves.
+
+'It isn't that you don't think there'd be room enough in the carriage,
+Aunt Alison, is it?' said Frances, anxiously. 'For the closed wagonette
+is coming too for mamma's maid and the luggage, and I wouldn't mind the
+least bit getting into it.'
+
+'Or I could go on the box,' suggested Eugene. 'I could _quite_ squeeze
+in between Bailey and Fred, and I'm sure they wouldn't mind.'
+
+'Thank you, dears,' said Miss Mildmay, more warmly than she had spoken
+to Jacinth; 'thank you very much. No; it is not on that account. And
+indeed there is plenty of room in here for Eugene extra. But I shall
+enjoy more, coming to-morrow or the day after, and then you must all
+spare me your mother for an hour or so.'
+
+The train was late of course. There was that strange odd bit of time we
+all know so well--of waiting and expectancy, intensified of course in
+the present case by the fact that the mother they were about to meet was
+literally a stranger to the three children. Even Jacinth was a good deal
+paler than her wont, when at last the train slowly steamed into the
+station and drew up beside the platform where they were standing.
+
+Would she have known her mother, she asked herself afterwards? Scarcely;
+there were several passengers who _might_ have been _the_ one. She felt
+almost bewildered when Aunt Alison turned from all, to hurry forward to
+greet a slight, girlish-looking figure--girlish in herself, though not
+in attire or bearing--who was gazing about her with eager eyes.
+
+'Eugenia.'
+
+'Alison,' and the two sisters-in-law had caught each other's hands and
+kissed each other before Jacinth had really taken in that this was
+'mamma!'
+
+Then Miss Mildmay drew back without another word than 'Here they are! I
+did want to give them over to you, myself, you see,' and her usually
+calm voice trembled a little.
+
+And Jacinth felt an arm thrown round her, and the words whispered into
+her ear, 'My darling child!' and for almost the first time in her life a
+choking sensation that was not pain, and a rush to her eyes of tears
+that were not sorrow, made her dimly conscious that she knew her own
+nature and its depths less fully than she had imagined.
+
+And then in turn she fell back a little while the two younger ones, with
+a glad cry from Francie of 'Mamma, mamma!' and a solemn 'It's me; I'm
+Eugene,' from the small brother, were drawn close, close, by the arms
+that had not held them for so long, and kissed as they never remembered
+having been kissed before.
+
+And somehow--I don't think any of them could ever clearly have told how;
+perhaps Mrs Mildmay's maid had a head on her shoulders and was equal to
+the occasion--they all found themselves in the landau again; all, that
+is to say, except Aunt Alison, who stood waving good-bye to them all
+from the curbstone, her face for once actually rosy with excitement.
+
+'Mamma!' said Frances, and then she stopped short. 'It's too lovely, I
+can't speak.'
+
+Eugene was stroking his mother's mantle. It was of soft downy material,
+rich in colour and texture.
+
+'How pretty!' he said.
+
+Jacinth glanced at it and the rest of her mother's attire, and at her
+mother herself. She felt proud of her, of her undeniable beauty and air
+of distinction--proud to present her to Lady Myrtle--and yet----
+
+'I wonder if mamma is very much taken up with her clothes,' she thought.
+'I wonder if she is extravagant. I expect I _shall_ have to take a good
+deal upon me, as Lady Myrtle said. I suppose people in India really grow
+very unpractical.'
+
+Poor Lady Myrtle! Little had she intended her words to be thus
+travestied.
+
+But the reflection was not disagreeable to Jacinth, to whom a position
+of responsibility and management was always congenial. She took her
+mother's hand in hers, and smiling at Eugene replied: 'Yes indeed. What
+lovely fur trimming, mamma! And what a pretty bonnet! You couldn't have
+had that in India, surely?'
+
+'No,' said Mrs Mildmay, smiling back at her children, 'I got one or two
+things in London yesterday. I thought you would like me to look nice,
+especially as I was going straight to Robin Redbreast. I don't believe
+poor dear Aunt Alison would have seen any difference if I had come back
+in the same clothes I went away in all those years ago.'
+
+'No,' agreed Frances, 'I don't believe she would.'
+
+But Jacinth looked a little grave; she could not quite 'make out' her
+mother.
+
+'Aunt Alison spends almost nothing on herself,' she said. 'She gives
+away every farthing she possibly can.'
+
+'I know she does, dear. She is the most self-denying person in those
+ways that I have ever met,' said Mrs Mildmay heartily, though mentally
+hoping to herself that Jacinth was not very matter-of-fact. But Eugene
+was looking very solemn.
+
+'What are you thinking of, my boy? his mother asked.
+
+'Those clothes,' he said, 'those clothes what you went away with. They
+must be wored out. I was only two when you went away, mamma?'
+
+This made them all laugh, which was perhaps a good thing--a slight
+relief to the over-excitement which in their different ways all had been
+experiencing.
+
+'Mamma,' said Frances earnestly, when the laughter had calmed down, 'I
+_must_ tell you, I had no idea you were so pretty. I think you are the
+very prettiest person I ever saw.'
+
+'So do I,' Eugene chimed in.
+
+Mrs Mildmay could not resist kissing again the two sweet flushed faces.
+
+'My darlings,' she said, 'I hope you will always think so, in one way,
+even when my hair is white and my face old and wrinkled.'
+
+'I hope,' thought Jacinth to herself, 'I hope mamma isn't--not vain,
+it's such a contemptible word--but I hope she doesn't care too much for
+looks and outside things of that kind.'
+
+But the very defining her thoughts startled her. She knew she had no
+right to begin criticising her mother in this way, and she pulled
+herself up.
+
+'Mamma,' she said, and her tone was both perfectly natural and simple,
+and more unconstrained than Mrs Mildmay had yet heard it--'mamma, isn't
+it really delightful, and isn't it almost wonderful that we should be
+all staying with Lady Myrtle and taking you to her? Isn't it really like
+a fairy story?'
+
+'It is indeed,' said Mrs Mildmay. 'It _is_ wonderful. The way that she
+seemed to start up just when--so soon after we had lost dear granny, and
+in a sense our home.'
+
+'It would have been lovely, of course, for you to come back to us
+anyway,' said Frances, 'but it wouldn't have been _so_ lovely if we'd
+all been going to Aunt Alison's. It's _rather_ a poky place, you know,
+mamma, and in India I suppose the houses are all _enormous_. I can only
+remember like in a dream, about very big, very white rooms.'
+
+'The last house we've had was far from _enormous_,' said her mother with
+a smile, 'still it was very nice. I often wished you and Jassie could
+have been with us there.'
+
+'But--oh mamma, you'll never go back again,' pleaded Frances. 'We've got
+dear papa's coming to look forward to now, and after that--never mind
+_where_ we live, if only we stay together.'
+
+Mrs Mildmay smiled, though for the first time with a touch of sadness.
+
+'Don't let us spoil to-day by looking forward, dear; except, as you say,
+to your father's coming. If he were here, everything _would_ seem
+perfect.'
+
+'And here's Robin Redbreast,' exclaimed Jacinth, as they turned the
+corner of the lane, 'and "Uncle Marmy's gates" wide open in your honour.
+Generally we drive in at the side. Now, mamma, take a good look. First
+impressions are everything, you know. Isn't _this_ perfect?'
+
+She seemed full of enthusiasm, which her mother was glad to see and
+quick to respond to.
+
+'It _is_ beautiful: I have never seen anything like it,' she replied
+warmly. 'And _could_ there have been a more exquisite day?'
+
+'And mamma, mamma,' cried Eugene, 'you know, don't you, it was all me
+that got friends with Lady Myrtle; me, with getting--_wursty_, that day,
+you know?'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+A COURAGEOUS PLEADER.
+
+
+Lady Myrtle was standing in the porch. It seemed to her only fitting
+that she should come thus far to welcome such a guest, and something in
+her almost tremulously affectionate greeting touched Mrs Mildmay keenly.
+
+'It is _so_ good of you--meeting me like this,' the younger woman
+whispered, as she threw her arms round her old friend. 'And, oh, how
+delightful it is to have you and this to come to!'
+
+'My dear, my dear,' said Lady Myrtle, 'don't thank me. Only let me see
+that you and your children are happy and at home with me; that is _all_
+I care about.'
+
+And again she kissed the Eugenia she had not seen since her childhood.
+
+Mrs Mildmay was very like Frances; correctly speaking, one should put it
+the other way, but as a new actor on the scene of this little story it
+is natural thus to express it. Her face had something indescribably
+childlike about it; her blue eyes were almost wistful, though the whole
+expression was bright and happy and very changeful. Yet there was plenty
+of 'character'--no dearth of good firm lines, with yet an entire absence
+of anything denoting hardness or obstinacy; the whole giving from the
+first candid glance an impression of extreme ingenuousness and
+single-mindedness.
+
+[Illustration: 'It is so good of you, meeting me like this,' the younger
+woman whispered, as she threw her arms round her old friend.]
+
+'You are not like your mother,' said Lady Myrtle, when the little group
+had made its way into the drawing-room where tea was already waiting. 'I
+knew you were not. Yet something in your voice recalls her. I suppose
+you can _scarcely_ remember her,' she went on, 'not well enough to see
+the really marvellous resemblance between her and my child here--my
+child as well as yours?' and she smiled at Jacinth who was standing by,
+and laid her hand affectionately on the girl's arm.
+
+'Oh yes,' Mrs Mildmay replied, 'I remember enough for that. And then I
+have one or two excellent portraits, besides the large one at
+Stannesley; at least my father always told me they were excellent. And
+even when Jassie was quite tiny, he saw the likeness and was delighted
+at it. But I--I am quite "Denison" I know, and so are Francie and
+Eugene. The odd thing is that Jassie is also in some ways more like the
+Mildmays than the two others.'
+
+'I have never seen your husband, you know,' said Lady Myrtle. 'I can't
+say that the likeness to good Miss Alison Mildmay has ever struck me.'
+
+The quaint way in which the old lady said it made them all smile a
+little--all, that is to say, except Jacinth. She had not altogether
+relished her mother's remark.
+
+But that evening was a most happy one--perhaps the very happiest the two
+younger children had ever known--and one certainly to be marked with a
+white stone in the memory of all the five who spent it together. By a
+tacit agreement no uncertain or anxious questions were touched upon. Mrs
+Mildmay was able to give a good account of their father's health at the
+time of her leaving him, to the children, and made them all laugh by her
+account of her brother Marmaduke's description of the terrible formality
+of that first evening at Market Square Place. She seemed gifted with a
+wonderful amount of fun and merriment: Jacinth caught herself laughing
+after a fashion which was very rare with her.
+
+'Mamma is ever so much _younger_ than I,' she said to herself when she
+found herself alone for the night. 'She is as charming and sweet as she
+can be. But I can foresee some things pretty clearly. It is a good thing
+I am of a different character. What would happen if we were all as
+impulsive and'--'childish' was the word in her thoughts, but again she
+felt a little startled at the length to which her criticism of her
+mother was going, and pulled herself up--'as impulsive as Francie, and
+as mamma must be by nature?'
+
+And she fell asleep in the midst of a not unpleasing picture of herself
+as the wise, considerate prop of the whole family, looked up to by her
+parents, leant upon by Lady Myrtle, a Lady Bountiful to all within her
+reach, a----But here I think her imaginings probably faded into the
+phantasmagoria of dreams.
+
+Mrs Mildmay had bidden her elder girl a fond good-night; then she
+hastened along the passage for a moment's peep into Frances's little
+room.
+
+'The child will be asleep, I daresay,' she thought to herself. 'It is
+almost selfish of me to risk waking her. But I will be very careful, and
+I really cannot resist the delight of seeing them in bed, of knowing
+they are under the same roof again at last.'
+
+And she stole in. It was a moonlight night. Francie had been in bed some
+little time, but she was not asleep. She was lying with her eyes wide
+open gazing out through the unshaded window, which was within her view,
+at the tree tops, illumined by the silvery radiance, and swaying gently
+in the soft night breeze; her shaggy hair making a background on the
+pillow for her sweet, childish face. And at the faint sound her mother
+made on entering she started up.
+
+'Mamma, mamma!' she cried, as Mrs Mildmay knelt down and threw her arms
+round the little figure. 'My own little mamma, my own, my own! to think
+it _is_ you, to think I really and truly have you. Oh, can I _ever_ be
+so happy again! Oh, mamma darling, I don't know _how_ to thank God
+enough; that was what I was thinking about when you came in. No, no, you
+didn't wake me. I haven't been asleep.'
+
+'My darling, my own little girl!' whispered Mrs Mildmay.
+
+'Mamma dear,' Frances went on, after a moment's beautiful silence. 'I
+feel already that I can tell you _everything_. Now there's one thing;
+it's come into my mind again since I've been in bed; I'm afraid I forgot
+about it in the first _rush_ of happiness, you know, but now I've
+remembered. Mamma, don't you think when we're awfully happy we should
+try to do something for other people--that God means us to? Well, it's
+about the Harpers. Oh, mamma, I'm afraid they are having such very bad
+troubles just now.'
+
+Mrs Mildmay started a little.
+
+'You don't mean, dear--you haven't heard anything _quite_ lately, about
+the father, Captain Harper, have you?'
+
+'No,' said Frances, 'I've not heard anything. Miss Falmouth was the only
+girl who knew about them away from school, and she has left. But you
+remember I wrote to you that Bessie and Margaret mightn't come back, and
+they haven't. And I'm _sure_ it's because they've got poorer with their
+father being so ill. Mamma, did you hear anything more from their aunt
+before you left?'
+
+'Yes,' said Mrs Mildmay sadly. 'I heard a good deal. All there is to
+hear, indeed. A letter from the eldest daughter, Camilla Harper--the one
+who wrote to you--came to Mrs Lyle just before I left. She showed it to
+me. I am afraid it is as you say, Francie; they have very heavy troubles
+and anxieties indeed.'
+
+'And _don't_ you think they're good, really very good people, mamma?'
+asked the child eagerly.
+
+'I think they seem quite wonderfully good,' said her mother, warmly. 'I
+cannot understand; I mean I can scarcely realise, how they can all be so
+brave and cheerful, when one thing after another--one misfortune after
+another--has come to try them so terribly. Yes, it almost frightens me
+to think of our happiness in comparison with their troubles, Francie.'
+
+'But mamma,' and Frances hesitated. 'If we can do anything to help them?
+Wouldn't that make it seem _righter_? I mean as if we were meant to do
+it.'
+
+'I _am_ going to try,' said Mrs Mildmay. Her voice was low and quiet,
+but it carried assurance with it. 'Your father and I talked a great deal
+about it after we heard the worst of things from Mrs Lyle. And we
+decided that it would be only right, even at the risk of annoying or
+even offending Lady Myrtle. It seems "meant" as you say, Francie--the
+coincidences of it all--my coming straight here, and that letter
+reaching Mrs Lyle just before I left. So we quite made up our minds
+about it.'
+
+Frances drew a deep breath of thankfulness.
+
+'It does seem as if everything I have most wanted was going to come,'
+she said.
+
+Then, as her mother, after kissing her again, was turning to leave the
+room, telling her she really 'must go to sleep,' the little girl called
+her back for a moment.
+
+'Mamma, dear,' she said. 'If you don't mind, would you please not say
+anything to Jass about what we've been talking of.'
+
+Mrs Mildmay looked a little surprised.
+
+'Why not, dear? Why should I not tell her as well as you?'
+
+'Oh well, because Jass didn't know Bessie and Margaret nearly as well as
+I did, and you must have seen by her letters that she didn't care about
+them like me,' said Frances.
+
+'But that does not, in one way, much signify,' replied her mother. 'Once
+Jacinth knows all about them she will feel as we do: your father and I
+do not know any of them personally. It is not as friends of ours that I
+would in any way plead their cause with their own near relation.'
+
+'No, of course not,' said Frances. But still she did not seem satisfied.
+'Jacinth has always been so afraid of vexing Lady Myrtle by seeming to
+interfere,' she said. 'And even Aunt Alison said it was better not.'
+
+'Very likely not. You are both too young to have it in your power to do
+anything. Still, I am sure you have lost no opportunity of speaking
+highly of the girls whom you _do_ think so highly of.'
+
+'Yes,' said Frances, quietly. 'I have done that. But somehow, mamma, I
+have vexed Jass about it several times. I shouldn't like her to think I
+had "spoilt" your first evening, by beginning about the Harpers. That's
+what she might say.'
+
+'I will give her no reason for being vexed with you, dear. I can
+understand her fear of vexing Lady Myrtle--I feel the same myself--and
+when I tell her, Jacinth, all about it, it will be in no way mixed up
+with you, Francie. She will only need to understand the whole thing
+thoroughly to agree with us.'
+
+And Frances fell asleep in happy confidence that 'mamma' would put it
+all right. How delightful it was to have her at hand to lean upon!
+
+But Mrs Mildmay had spoken rather more confidently about Jacinth than
+she quite felt. Frances's words reminded her of the cold, unsympathising
+way in which her elder daughter had alluded in her letters to the
+Harpers; after knowing all that Frances had written to her mother.
+
+'Jacinth is thoughtful and considerate beyond her years,' thought she,
+'but I do trust she is no way selfish or calculating. Oh no, that is
+impossible. I must not be fanciful. Marmy warned me that I might find
+her self-contained and even self-opinionated, but that is very different
+from anything mean or selfish. It is sad, all the same, to know nothing
+of one's own child for one's self, at first hand. Whatever the poor
+Harpers' trials have been,' she went on, as Frances had once said to
+Bessie, 'at least they have been spared this terrible, unnatural
+separation.'
+
+And the thought brought back to her again the task that was before her
+on the morrow. She was not a little nervous about it. 'But I must not
+delay,' she said to herself. 'If anything is to be done to help them in
+this present crisis, it must be at once. And I promised Mrs Lyle not to
+put off. I wonder when I shall have the best chance of a good talk with
+Lady Myrtle. Alison is coming over in the morning, she said. Naturally
+she is anxious to hear all about Frank. I wish it had not happened that
+I was obliged to begin upon a certainly _painful_, a possibly offensive
+topic with the dear old lady just at the very first! And when she is so
+very, very good to us!'
+
+But Eugenia Mildmay was not the type of woman to shrink from what she
+believed to be an undoubted duty because it was painful to herself, or
+even to others.
+
+'Dear little Frances,' was almost her last waking thought, 'I feel as if
+I already understood _her_ perfectly. And oh, I do hope I shall be wise
+and judicious with my Jassie too.'
+
+Every trace of fatigue had vanished from Mrs Mildmay's bright face when
+they all met at breakfast the next morning; the 'all' including Lady
+Myrtle, who had now begun again to come down early, since the fine mild
+weather had, for the time, dispelled her chronic bronchitis. She looked
+round the table with a beaming face.
+
+'It is long since I have had such a party at breakfast,' she said.
+'Never before, I think, indeed, since I have been settled at Robin
+Redbreast, and that is a good while ago. To make it perfect we only want
+your husband, Eugenia, whom you know, I have never seen.'
+
+'Well, I hope it will not be very long before you do see him; and I can
+assure you he is very eager to see you, dear Lady Myrtle,' replied Mrs
+Mildmay.
+
+'_How_ like mamma is to Frances!' thought Jacinth. It struck her even
+more forcibly this morning than the day before.
+
+'Is Colonel Mildmay dark or fair? Does he resemble his sister?' inquired
+the old lady.
+
+Mrs Mildmay considered.
+
+'No; I scarcely think so,' she said. 'And yet there is a family
+likeness. The odd thing is, as I was saying, that though Jacinth "takes
+after" my mother's family so decidedly, yet she is more like the
+Mildmays than either Francie or Eugene.'
+
+'I don't see it, I confess,' said Lady Myrtle drily, and Mrs Mildmay
+caught for the first time a glimpse of the cold manner the old lady
+could assume if not altogether well pleased. But in less than an instant
+Lady Myrtle seemed herself to regret it. 'I mean to say I see no
+resemblance in Jacinth to Miss Alison Mildmay. Of course I cannot judge
+as to her having any to her father.'
+
+'Papa has dark hair, like Jass,' said Frances. 'But he's very
+nice-looking.'
+
+'The "but" doesn't sound very complimentary to me, Francie,' said
+Jacinth laughingly; and her mother, glancing at her, was struck by the
+wonderful charm of the smile that overspread her face.
+
+'I wasn't thinking of you that way,' said Frances, bluntly. 'I was
+thinking of Aunt Alison.'
+
+'Aunt Alison's not pretty,' said Eugene. 'Her's too--not smiley enough,
+not like mamma.'
+
+'Eugene!' said his mother. But Eugene did not seem at all snubbed.
+
+'_À propos_ of Miss Alison Mildmay,' said Lady Myrtle, 'she is coming to
+see you to-day, is she not? She must be anxious to hear all about her
+brother.'
+
+'Yes,' said Mrs Mildmay, 'she will be coming quite early. Jassie told us
+you are often busy in the morning, so I thought that would be the best
+time for me to be with her.'
+
+'Jacinth knows all my ways,' said Lady Myrtle with a smile of approval.
+'Yes, that will do nicely; Miss Mildmay must stay to luncheon, and then
+you and I, Eugenia, can drive her back. Will you drive with me this
+afternoon? I always enjoy a talk in a carriage along our quiet roads.'
+
+'Thank you; that will be very pleasant,' said Mrs Mildmay. And no one
+would have suspected the slight sinking of heart with which she said to
+herself that this would clearly be the best opportunity for what she had
+to lay before her kind hostess as to the poor Harpers.
+
+'We begin school again on Monday,' said Frances. 'I do hope it will be
+fine till then. Jass, won't you stay with Eugene and me this afternoon?
+We do so want to get the house we are building finished so that we can
+have tea in it on Lady Myrtle's birthday.'
+
+'Yes,' Mrs Mildmay interposed quickly, 'that will do very well, and
+to-morrow perhaps Jassie may drive with you, Lady Myrtle, and then I
+will invite myself to spend the afternoon with you two, shall I?'
+
+Her quick tact, founded on sympathy, warned her of the possibility of
+the elder girl feeling herself thrown out of the place she had naturally
+come to feel as her own beside the old lady.
+
+'And Lady Myrtle is so devoted to Jacinth too. She would miss her, even
+though she would not like to seem to prefer her to me,' thought the
+mother; and the expression in the two faces rewarded her for her
+consideration.
+
+Frances had her own ideas as to her mother's intentions in connection
+with the proposed drive that afternoon. But she was already perfectly at
+rest in the delightful certainty that 'mamma would know what was best to
+do.' So, though deeply interested and in a sense anxious, she had no
+nervous misgiving as to the result of the effort which she felt sure was
+going to be made in behalf of her friends, and she spent the afternoon
+very happily with her sister and brother, working at the famous house
+they had been allowed to build in a corner of the garden. It was very
+interesting, and even Jacinth, in some ways less 'grown-up' than she
+liked to fancy herself, found it very absorbing. By half-past four
+o'clock they had all worked so hard that they really began to be very
+tired and rather hot.
+
+'I wish it was tea-time,' said Jacinth. 'We are all to have tea together
+while the holidays last. Lady Myrtle thought mamma would like it. And,
+of course, you and Eugene, Francie, will come in at the end of dinner as
+you did last night. I wonder why Lady Myrtle and mamma are so long. I
+suppose they've gone a long drive.'
+
+'They started rather late,' said Frances. 'Aunt Alison was talking to
+Lady Myrtle a good while after the carriage was at the door. But I
+wonder they're not back by now. Don't you think we'd better go in now
+and get tidy, so as to be quite ready when they come?'
+
+They did so. But for once Frances was the more expeditious of the two.
+When Mrs Mildmay entered her own room on returning from the drive, a
+little figure, unexceptionably neat as to hair and hands and garments,
+darted out from behind the window-curtains whence she had been watching
+the drive up to the house.
+
+'Mamma, dear,' she exclaimed, 'don't ring for Syme. Mayn't I help you to
+take off your things for once? I do so want to ask you--you don't mind,
+do you?--_have_ you been able to say anything to Lady Myrtle? I had a
+feeling that you meant to speak about it the very first chance you
+could.'
+
+Mrs Mildmay looked a little agitated.
+
+'Francie, dear,' she said, 'I haven't time to tell you about it just
+now. We must hurry down to tea. But I have done _something_, and I
+almost hope I have made a beginning towards more. All I can, all it
+would be right for me to tell you, I will. But I scarcely think I can do
+so to-day. Come to my room quite early to-morrow morning, half an hour
+or so before breakfast. As soon as we have had tea just now, I have
+promised to help--at least she puts it so--Lady Myrtle to write a rather
+difficult letter.'
+
+'Is it to the Harpers?' half whispered Frances.
+
+Her mother nodded.
+
+Frances gave a sort of skip of joy.
+
+'Oh, mamma, how lovely!' she exclaimed. 'How clever you are! I do
+believe everything's going to come right.'
+
+'Don't be too hopeful, dear. But at least their _present_ terrible
+difficulties will be a little smoothed, I trust.
+
+And it was no use telling Frances not to be too hopeful. She seemed
+almost to dance as she followed her mother down-stairs, and the
+drawing-room at Robin Redbreast had rarely, if ever, heard brighter talk
+and merrier laughter than went on this afternoon round the tea-table,
+where Jacinth did the honours as if she were the recognised daughter of
+the house.
+
+It went perhaps somewhat against the grain with her to be told, though
+in the kindest manner, that Lady Myrtle and Mrs Mildmay had some
+business letters to write in the boudoir, and must not be disturbed till
+post-time. But she was a sensible girl on the whole, and really glad to
+see the cordial understanding between her mother and the friend who
+seemed to her now by adoption almost a second mother. And she was
+without the slightest suspicion that the letters in question concerned
+the Harpers, of whom indeed for some time past she had almost left off
+thinking at all.
+
+'Possibly it's already something about the London appointment for papa,'
+she thought. 'Lady Myrtle is always so energetic and business-like. I
+daresay she would have _liked_ to consult me about it, but then it would
+scarcely have seemed right not to make mamma the first of course.'
+
+And she answered so pleasantly that she and Frances had a duet they
+wanted to practise before playing it to their mother, that Mrs Mildmay's
+slight instinctive misgiving as to her elder daughter's docility and
+reasonableness was for the time completely dispersed.
+
+'To-morrow, you know, dear Jacinth, you are to drive with me,' said Lady
+Myrtle, 'while your mother is going to have Francie and Eugene all to
+herself.'
+
+Perhaps the result of Mrs Mildmay's conversation with her hostess during
+their drive that afternoon will be best shown by one of the letters
+which the Robin Redbreast postbag carried off that very evening. It was
+addressed to Mrs Harper at a certain number in a quiet bye-street in the
+north-west of London, and ran thus:
+
+                              ROBIN REDBREAST, THETFORD,
+                              _May_ 4, 187-.
+
+     MY DEAR MRS HARPER--I write to you instead of to your
+     husband, Captain Harper, who is by birth my nephew, as I
+     understand that he might be upset by an unexpected letter,
+     being at present in a critical state of health. I regret
+     that it should be so, and that your anxieties should be
+     increased by other difficulties, and I enclose a draft on my
+     London bankers for £500, which will, I trust, relieve you
+     from your most pressing cares. I ask you to accept this in a
+     kindly spirit, though from a complete stranger. It is the
+     gift of an aged woman who is always glad to have the
+     privilege of helping those whose difficulties may become
+     privately known to her, as well as of responding to the many
+     public appeals for assistance. But it is not the gift of a
+     relative. From a certain date, now many years ago, my
+     brother Bernard Harper and all connected with him died to me
+     as completely as though he had never existed, and I feel it
+     only honest to put the matter in its true light at the risk
+     of wounding not unnatural susceptibilities. I ask you also
+     to accept my sincere good wishes for Captain Harper's
+     restoration to health, and I remain, yours faithfully,
+
+                                  MYRTLE CAMILLA GOODACRE.
+
+It was a strange letter. And strange as it was, it had been more
+eccentric still, but for Mrs Mildmay's strenuous efforts to soften its
+expressions and accentuate the real sympathy which had dictated the
+gift. It was a strange position altogether. The tears had risen into the
+old lady's bright eyes when her old friend Jacinth Moreland's daughter
+laid before her the sad facts of the case, and the life or death that
+not improbably hung upon her response. Never had good cause a better
+advocate. She read aloud the letter written by Camilla Harper to her
+aunt in India, and confided by Mrs Lyle to Mrs Mildmay; she told of
+Captain Harper's honourable career, and of the brave struggle made by
+him and his wife against the overwhelming difficulties which had come
+upon them through no fault--no imprudence even--of their own; she
+described the good promise of their children, how the sons were all
+already more or less 'distinguished, the daughters models of girlish
+excellence.'
+
+'I quite believe it all,' the old lady calmly replied. 'It is very
+wonderful; there must be a good strain somewhere in the blood, and
+struggle and adversity are grand teachers, we are told. It is very
+interesting, and I am most ready to help them in any way you advise, my
+dear Eugenia, or that you think would be accepted. But understand me, I
+would do the same if I had never heard their name till to-day. It is
+_not_ as relations; Bernard Harper's descendants are neither kith nor
+kin of mine, and this must be understood.'
+
+Mrs Mildmay seemed about to speak, but hesitated.
+
+'What is it, my dear? Do not be afraid of vexing me: do say what is in
+your mind,' said the old lady.
+
+'You are so good, dear Lady Myrtle, so good and kind, that it seems
+impertinence for me to differ from you,' the younger woman replied. 'It
+was only that your words struck me curiously. _Can_ we decide and alter
+things in that way? Our relations _are_ our relations; can we, when it
+suits us, say they are not? Can we throw off the duties and
+responsibilities of relationship? Of course they vary enormously;
+sometimes they scarcely exist, and one can lay down no rule. But still,
+in the present case, it _is_ because the Harpers are your relations, and
+yet by no fault of their own entirely alienated from you, that I have
+told you about them. These are solid substantial facts; we cannot undo
+_facts_.'
+
+Lady Myrtle was silent. Mrs Mildmay glanced at her anxiously, very
+anxiously. But there was no sign of irritation in the quiet old
+face--only of thought, deep thought. And there was a grave softness in
+the usually keen eyes, as if they were reviewing far distant or far past
+scenes.
+
+At last, 'Thank you, my dear, for your candour,' she said. 'Well, leave
+that question alone. I will help this family and at once, because it
+seems to me a clear duty to do so. Can you not be satisfied with this
+practical response to your appeal, my dear?'
+
+'I thank you with all my heart,' said Mrs Mildmay earnestly, 'both for
+your generosity and for your patience with my presumption.'
+
+But she evaded a direct reply to Lady Myrtle's question, and her friend
+did not press her farther.
+
+The result of this conversation we have seen in the letter with its
+enclosure which was posted that very evening. The former was not a
+source of unmitigated satisfaction to Mrs Mildmay. For Lady Myrtle
+insisted on the insertion of the last few lines.
+
+It would not be honest, she maintained, to withhold the expression of
+her true sentiments.
+
+So with what she _had_ achieved, Mrs Mildmay was forced to be content,
+though there were times during the next day or two in which she asked
+herself if perhaps she had not done more harm than good? And times
+again, when with the rebound of her naturally buoyant nature, she
+allowed herself to hope that she had succeeded in inserting the thin
+edge of the wedge; in 'making,' as she had expressed it to Francie, 'a
+beginning towards more.'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+LADY MYRTLE'S INTENTIONS.
+
+
+And Francie, during those few days, was her mother's only confidante.
+Various reasons made Mrs Mildmay decide not as yet to come upon the
+subject with Jacinth. While still to all intents and purposes so much of
+a stranger to her daughter, she felt anxious to avoid all sore or
+fretted ground; all discussion which might lead her prematurely to judge
+or misjudge Jacinth. To Lady Myrtle, of course, she said nothing of
+this; but she suspected, as was indeed the case, that the old lady would
+feel no inclination to talk about the Harpers to her young companion.
+There were plenty of pleasanter things to talk about during the long
+drives on which, on most alternate afternoons, Jacinth accompanied their
+hostess; there were reminiscences of the past, always interesting to the
+girl, awakened to fresh vividness by Mrs Mildmay's own recollections of
+her mother and her own childhood; there were, more engrossing still,
+plans for the future, when 'papa' should return and be skilfully
+persuaded into renouncing India. And Lady Myrtle was nearly as great at
+castle-in-the-air building as Jacinth herself, and though too wise to
+discuss as yet with any one, especially with a girl who was really,
+notwithstanding her precocity, little more than a child, her still
+immatured intentions, Jacinth was far too acute, and Lady Myrtle too
+open and affectionate, for her young favourite not to be well aware how
+much her own future occupied and interested the old lady. Yet Jacinth
+was scarcely selfish in the common sense. She was capable, on the
+contrary, of great self-sacrifice for those she loved; her happy visions
+for days to come were by no means confined to, even though they might to
+a great extent revolve around, Jacinth Mildmay.
+
+As seems often to happen when a looked-for letter, or reply to a letter,
+is of any peculiar importance, there was some delay in the
+acknowledgment of Lady Myrtle's communication by Mrs Harper. The old
+lady herself took it calmly enough. 'It should, as a business letter,
+have been replied to at once, but perhaps they are not business-like
+people, and are thinking it over,' was all she said.
+
+Mrs Mildmay, on the contrary, and, so far as she understood it all,
+Frances, felt uneasy and perplexed. Mrs Mildmay was sorry for the
+Harpers to lay themselves open to the slightest appearance of disrespect
+or unpunctuality, and at the same time she had attacks of fear that Lady
+Myrtle's letter had hurt and wounded her relatives so deeply that they
+had decided to ignore it. Only, in that case, they would have returned
+the cheque.
+
+'It is very absurd,' she said one evening to Frances. 'I don't generally
+"worry" about things at all, and I am quite sure I have never worried
+about any matter of our own as much. Except, perhaps, that time you all
+had scarlet fever at Stannesley, and somehow Marmy's letter missed the
+mail, and we were out of reach of telegraphing. Oh dear, I shall never
+forget that week!'
+
+'Dear mamma,' said Francie, 'I quite know how you feel. I was so fidgety
+that time I sent on Camilla Harper's letter to you, though it wasn't
+anything like as important.'
+
+But the very next morning the mystery was explained, and quite simply.
+
+After breakfast Lady Myrtle sent for Mrs Mildmay to her boudoir, where
+she always interviewed her steward and transacted her business for the
+day.
+
+'I have just got this, my dear,' she said, handing a letter to her
+guest, 'and I knew you would be anxious to see it. The delay, you see,
+was accidental.'
+
+Her tone of voice somewhat reassured Mrs Mildmay; it was calm and
+unruffled. Nevertheless it was not without considerable anxiety that she
+took the sheet of paper from the old lady's hands and began to read it.
+It was from Mrs Harper--a touching yet dignified letter, and the cheque
+was not returned. Mrs Harper began by thanking Lady Myrtle warmly for
+her kindness; the money she had sent seemed indeed a 'godsend' in the
+real sense of the word, and no secondary considerations could make her
+think it would be right to refuse what might--what, she trusted and
+almost believed, _would_ save her husband's life and restore him to
+health--'even,' she went on to say, 'if it were _possible_ after this,
+for us to think of you as an utter stranger, even then I would not dare
+to refuse this wonderful help. But at the same time you will allow us, I
+feel sure, to accept it as a loan, even though several years may pass
+before it is possible for us to repay it. Your agreeing to this will
+only immeasurably deepen, instead of lessening our inexpressible
+obligation.' The letter then went on to give a few details of her
+husband's condition, and the hopes and fears attendant on it. 'I am
+writing in my lodgings,' Mrs Harper went on, 'before going to him as
+usual at the hospital. So he does not yet know of this wonderful gift.
+And I think, as in your kind thoughtfulness you wrote to _me_, not to
+him, I am justified in accepting your aid without consulting him, so
+that I may tell him it is _done_. Not that in my heart I have any
+misgiving as to the view he will take of my action.' And lastly came a
+simple explanation of the delay. Mrs Harper had been for a day or two at
+Southcliff, as little Margaret was not well, and the rather stupid
+landlady of her London lodgings had never thought of forwarding the
+letter, knowing she was so soon to return. This with a few earnest words
+of repeated thanks made the whole.
+
+Mrs Mildmay looked up eagerly after she had finished it.
+
+'You are pleased, dear Lady Myrtle?' she said. 'At least I mean,' and
+she grew a little confused, for the old lady remained rather ominously
+silent, 'you think it is a nice letter, don't you? It seems to me to
+show peculiarly good feeling and good taste, for it cannot have been an
+easy letter to write.'
+
+'Oh yes, my dear, I quite agree with you,' said Lady Myrtle with just a
+faint touch of impatience. 'I don't see how any one could think
+otherwise of the letter. I am perfectly satisfied that--she,' as if she
+shrank from naming the old name, 'is an excellent woman; refined and
+cultivated, and everything she should be. And I have no doubt they are
+all thoroughly deserving of the high character they bear. I thank you--I
+really do--for having given me the opportunity of serving people who so
+clearly deserve help. And these cases of bravely endured, almost
+unsuspected poverty among the gently born appeal to one almost more than
+the sufferings of the recognised "poor," though, of course, it is right
+to help both.'
+
+'Yes,' said Mrs Mildmay, 'I often feel it so. And it is very good of you
+to put things in this way, Lady Myrtle. It takes away my qualms about
+having interfered,' and she smiled a little.
+
+'But, my dear, I have not done,' Lady Myrtle went on, a trifle testily,
+'you must quite understand me. It is not _the very least_--no, no; quite
+the other way--not the very least because they are Harpers that I am
+glad to be of use to them. Neither this letter, nor your own
+arguments--nothing, my dear, will alter the facts I stated to you the
+other day.'
+
+'No,' agreed Mrs Mildmay, and she could scarcely repress a little smile;
+'that was what I said myself, dear Lady Myrtle; nothing _can_ alter
+facts.'
+
+'Your facts and mine are scarcely synonymous,' said Lady Myrtle, drily,
+a little annoyed with herself perhaps, for having unconsciously made use
+of Mrs Mildmay's own expression. But the annoyance was not deep, for in
+another moment she added cheerfully, 'We are quite together on one
+point, however, and that is in rejoicing that this help has come in
+time, as we may hope, to save a valuable life and much sorrow to those
+who cherish it. If _this_ prove a fact, I think, my dear Eugenia, we may
+rest content.'
+
+'Yes, indeed,' replied Mrs Mildmay, touched by her old friend's
+gentleness, though to herself she added, 'for the present, that is to
+say.'
+
+And when to eager little Frances she related the upshot of her
+intervention, she did not retract her former words about having made a
+beginning.
+
+'I _think_,' she said, 'I have got in the thin end of the wedge. When
+honest-minded people are a little shaken in anything, they try hard to
+persuade themselves by extra vehemence that they are not so.'
+
+'Mamma, dear,' said Frances, 'I am beginning to believe not only that
+you are the best but the very cleverest woman in the world.'
+
+And Mrs Mildmay laughed the joyous laugh which was one of her charms.
+The success which had attended this attempt of hers so far, did seem a
+happy omen with which to begin again her home life.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It would be interesting here to shift the scene and follow the reception
+of the good news by the three anxious girls at Southcliff. It would--to
+me at least it would--be so pleasant to tell of the happy faces that
+looked at each other with questioning eyes, as if the tidings in their
+mother's letter were almost too good to be true. It would be gratifying
+to watch the progress made by Captain Harper towards the recovery of
+greater health and strength than had been his for so many years, but
+even in telling a story--and the simplest of stories--one cannot always
+do as one is inclined. The time has not yet come for visiting the
+Harpers again. I must hurry on with some necessary explanations before
+leaving Thetford and dear old Robin Redbreast for very different
+surroundings.
+
+That spring and early summer passed on the whole very happily for Mrs
+Mildmay and her three children. As far as Frances and her little brother
+were concerned, there were, I think, no drawbacks, except the fear--not,
+however, a very great one--that this delightful state of things might
+not last if papa should be obliged to return to India. But to a great
+extent their mother was able to reassure them, for in every letter
+Colonel Mildmay wrote more and more strongly of his earnest desire to
+settle at home, even though his doing so should lead to some privations
+falling on his family.
+
+'_Everything_ would be made up for by being together,' said Frances
+over and over again. 'I wouldn't care if we all had to live in quite a
+tiny cottage; would you, Jass?'
+
+But Jacinth replied rather coldly that Frances was a silly child who
+didn't know what she was talking about. And Mrs Mildmay smiled, and
+endeavoured to prevent any approach to quarrelling, as she assured
+Frances that at all events they would be able to afford a comfortable
+house.
+
+'I should rather think so,' said Jacinth in an authoritative and yet
+mysterious tone. 'I do wish, mamma, you would make Frances leave off
+speaking as if we were paupers.'
+
+It is scarcely necessary to say that this conversation and others of a
+similar kind did not take place in Lady Myrtle's presence.
+
+And towards the end of July, sooner than he had hoped for, Colonel
+Mildmay arrived. They were all still at Robin Redbreast to receive him,
+for on hearing how much earlier his leave was to begin than had been
+anticipated, Mrs Mildmay gave in to their kind hostess's earnest wish
+that they should remain there at least till her husband's coming.
+
+'And as much longer as we can persuade him to stay,' Lady Myrtle added.
+'He can so easily run up to town from this, as he is sure to have to be
+there often, about these appointments. And then it will be such a
+pleasure to his sister to have him near.'
+
+'Oh yes, Thetford is as good a headquarters as we could have at
+present,' agreed Mrs Mildmay. 'But Thetford, dear Lady Myrtle, need not
+necessarily mean Robin Redbreast, you know! And it would not be
+difficult for us to find a nice little house there that would suit us
+for the time.'
+
+'Well, well, it will be time enough to see to that when your husband is
+here,' replied the old lady.
+
+And Mrs Mildmay, whose nature was not one to anticipate or dwell upon
+difficulties or uncertainties in the future which she could not in the
+present take action about, gratefully accepted her kind friend's
+hospitality, happy in the knowledge that her doing so really gave
+happiness to Lady Myrtle in return.
+
+It was very strange to have papa in person, 'as large as life or a
+little larger,' said Frances. For they had not pictured to themselves
+quite such a tall, grave, rather awe-inspiring personage as he seemed at
+first. And they could scarcely understand how their mother could be so
+entirely at ease with him; how she could even laugh at him, and tease
+him now and then as if she was not 'the least atom' afraid of him.
+
+But there was plenty of fun and humour hidden in the depths of Colonel
+Mildmay's dark eyes; it was not altogether wanting even in his sister
+Alison, though the circumstances of her life had not brought out several
+of the qualities developed by his wider and larger experiences. And
+before long his children, the two younger ones especially, got to know
+this, and to count upon their father's ever-ready sympathy in even the
+more childish of their interests and amusements. And Jacinth for her
+part was intensely proud of her father. He suited her in every way;
+except that now and then a slight suspicion insinuated itself that this
+very grand and dignified papa of hers, affectionate and even caressing
+as he could be when he laid his hand on her head and smoothed her soft
+hair, was laughing at her a little, which did not at all suit Jacinth's
+princess-like ideas of herself.
+
+Still all was very happy, very happy indeed, the sweet summer days
+passing only too quickly; and for some two or three weeks nothing was
+said about 'plans,' though Colonel Mildmay went up to town more than
+once to visit his doctor and the War Office.
+
+Then came an evening on which he returned from a hot day in London,
+fagged and rather knocked up, though with a certain expression on his
+face which told his watchful and observant wife that he had come to a
+decision, which she quietly waited to hear till he sought a good
+opportunity for telling it. The opportunity came later, when Lady
+Myrtle, a little tired by the unusual heat, had gone to her own room
+earlier than her wont, and the girls and Eugene had also said
+good-night.
+
+'Come out into the garden, Eugenia. We can talk better there; it seems,
+even compared with India, such an airless night.'
+
+'But the stars are beautiful, aren't they, Frank? I do love this place
+so,' said Mrs Mildmay as she seated herself on a rustic chair on the
+edge of the smooth bowling-green-like old lawn.
+
+'You always find the stars--the bright spots in every sky, I think,
+dear,' said her husband. 'I confess I am feeling a little gloomy
+to-night, and yet I am glad it is decided.'
+
+'It _is_ decided, then? I thought so,' said Mrs Mildmay gently.
+
+'Yes. It is quite certain that it would be madness for me ever to think
+of India again, now or years hence. So I have accepted Barmettle. I send
+in the formal papers to-morrow,' and he sighed a little.
+
+'I expected it,' she said. 'I am very thankful, Frank, though you know
+how I sympathise with you about your having to--to--come _down_ at all
+in position as it were.'
+
+'Doing right can never be really coming down,' he replied. 'And it is
+right. The other thing in London would have been impossible, on our
+means, and not work enough either. And there is nothing against
+Barmettle; the place is healthy and cheap, and good education for
+Eugene, and no doubt--the two generally go together--good masters and
+governesses for the girls. Socially speaking, of course, there is not
+much to recommend the place, though there may be a few nice people
+there. But the girls are still very young; we must just do our best, and
+make as happy a home for them as we can.'
+
+'Lady Myrtle is sure often to invite them here,' said Mrs Mildmay,
+'Jacinth especially. When shall we have to go there, Frank? Will it be
+worth while to look out for a temporary house at Thetford, as we had
+thought of?'
+
+'Scarcely,' said Colonel Mildmay. This was the question--'When shall we
+have to go there?'--which he had been the most dreading. He was glad to
+have it over. 'I fear,' he went on, 'you will be rather upset at finding
+how soon we have to go. I, at least. You and the children can stay on
+here awhile if you like, as dear old Lady Myrtle is sure to want you.
+But I myself must be at Barmettle the end of next month.'
+
+'And you certainly shall not go alone,' said Mrs Mildmay, brightly. 'Do
+you think I would trust you to choose a house and all the rest of it? If
+Lady Myrtle will keep Eugene and one of the girls for a week or two, I
+and the other child will go north with you of course, and get settled
+before the others join us. There is only one thing I want to ask you,
+Frank; don't think it is that I have the faintest idea of making you
+change your intention; I do not even _wish_ it. But you have not
+actually--officially--accepted the appointment yet?'
+
+'No, not till to-morrow,' he replied.
+
+'Then let me ask you this: Lady Myrtle has been so very, so more than
+good to us, that I should like to gratify her in every way we can. So
+before _actually_ accepting this, I think we owe it to her to tell her
+about it. I know she is dying for you to take the London thing, and I
+would like her thoroughly to understand the reasons why you don't.'
+
+'They are very simple and unanswerable,' said Colonel Mildmay, curtly.
+
+'Yes, but Frank, though she has never said it actually, I have
+suspicions that she wants to help us practically--to increase our
+income,' said Mrs Mildmay with some hesitation.
+
+'My dear child, I could never consent to anything of the kind,'
+exclaimed Colonel Mildmay, starting up. 'Her hospitality I am most
+grateful for; she may even do things for the children in the future, for
+Jacinth, I suppose, especially, as a godmother or a very old friend
+might. I am not foolishly proud. If she likes to leave you or Jacinth a
+little remembrance in her will, it would not be unnatural. But beyond
+that'----
+
+'I know, I know,' interposed his wife, hurriedly. 'Of course I feel the
+same. But you see, if we talk this over with her, it will both gratify
+her and put things for always in their proper light.'
+
+'Very well; I will do so, then,' said Colonel Mildmay. And then he
+turned and looked at his wife, for there was moonlight by this time,
+very earnestly. 'I don't doubt you, Eugenia,' he said; 'you _know_ I
+never could. But you agree with me entirely, my dearest, do you not? I
+could never accept a position of the kind. And above all, when we know
+that there are others--the Harpers, I mean--who _have_ claims upon her.
+For, but for the grandfather's misconduct, he would have had a good
+proportion of what is now Lady Myrtle's.'
+
+'I absolutely agree with you, Frank,' Mrs Mildmay replied. 'And my most
+earnest hope is that our good old friend may come to see things in the
+right light with regard to her own family. This very conversation which
+I am urging may be a means of leading her to do so.'
+
+Mrs Mildmay's courage would perhaps have failed her had she known what
+the 'conversation' she alluded to so lightly was really to consist of.
+It began by the most strenuous opposition on the old lady's side to the
+Barmettle plan. She had set her heart on Colonel Mildmay's accepting the
+post in London which was, according to her, 'the very thing to be
+desired for him.'
+
+'You would be so near me,' she said. 'Any or all of you could come down
+at any time. Robin Redbreast would be your country home.'
+
+Colonel Mildmay smiled gently while he thanked her, and then he reminded
+her of the overwhelming difference of the two appointments as regarded
+the 'pay.'
+
+'But that needn't--that _would_ not signify,' Lady Myrtle began, though
+with evident difficulty in expressing herself, while Mrs Mildmay's heart
+beat faster as she realised that they were approaching 'the tug of war.'
+'I--you must know--it is only natural;' and with other confused
+expressions about Jacinth being to her 'as her own child,' 'no one of
+her own kith or kin except the Elvedons,' whose affairs were long ago
+definitely arranged, and references to her unforgotten devotion to the
+Jacinth of her youth, the old lady plunged into the thick of things. She
+had not meant to speak so soon, she said; she had wished her intentions
+to be _faits accomplis_ before she disclosed them, but all this had
+upset her and she must explain.
+
+And then she told the whole, and Colonel and Mrs Mildmay, though a
+little prepared for some announcement of proposed benefit to Jacinth in
+the future, listened in appalled and almost stunned silence to Lady
+Myrtle Goodacre's eccentric and, in their eyes, extravagant
+determination.
+
+Jacinth was to be her heir--all that she had to dispose of, and it was
+still a great deal, even without that portion of her wealth which, with
+the knowledge that the old lord would have approved of her doing so, she
+meant to restore to the title; even shorn of that and of some other
+property on the Goodacre side which she only liferented, Lady Myrtle was
+a rich old woman. And all she had to leave, short of legacies to certain
+hospitals and other benevolent institutions which she had interested
+herself in, all was to be Jacinth's. The only landed property was Robin
+Redbreast and the small farm belonging to it, but in money there would
+be more than enough to keep up three or four places of its size.
+
+Mrs Mildmay's heart sank, as she listened, but so far neither she nor
+her husband had interrupted the speaker by word or movement. And she,
+gaining confidence by their silence, at last came to the final
+announcement.
+
+'So you see, my dear friends, that looking upon Jacinth as I do, it is
+only consistent--consistent, and I may say _necessary_--that you consent
+to my at once arranging for a proper allowance, whatever you like to
+call it, being arranged for her. And this--of course you will agree with
+me, that this must be an amount sufficient not only for a thoroughly
+good education, but for her to be surrounded by everything right and
+fitting for the position she will be called upon to occupy, perhaps not
+so very long hence, for I am an old woman. And I do not want to teach or
+induce any selfishness or self-assertion; I have the very greatest
+respect for parental authority; I will tell her nothing, or only what
+you approve of her knowing. But you see how it affects the present
+position of things, and your present decision, my dear Colonel Mildmay.'
+
+Colonel Mildmay moved uneasily in his chair, but still he did not speak.
+
+'You must see,' Lady Myrtle proceeded, 'that it would be entirely
+inconsistent in these circumstances for you to bury yourself and Eugenia
+and the children in a dreadful place like Barmettle. You will, I feel
+satisfied, agree that in anticipating the future a little, as it were,
+and allowing me at once to--to place a certain income at your
+disposal--an income which I am sure Jacinth will continue when things
+are in her own hands--you are only acting reasonably and--justly, I may
+say, as well as in a manner really to earn my gratitude.'
+
+The old lady's voice trembled ominously: this strange continued silence
+was beginning to rouse some apprehension. As she uttered the last
+word--'gratitude'--Mrs Mildmay, hitherto entirely quiescent till her
+husband thought well to speak, could no longer restrain herself. She
+leant forward and caught Lady Myrtle's hand in hers.
+
+'My dear, most kind friend,' she said, and her own voice was tremulous,
+'how can you use such an expression? _You_ grateful to us! Ah, no
+indeed; as long as we live we shall be at a loss how to show our
+gratitude to you.'
+
+'Yes indeed,' said Colonel Mildmay. 'I do not know how to express my
+appreciation of all your goodness. I'----
+
+'Then you consent,' exclaimed Lady Myrtle, her bright eyes sparkling.
+'You will be my children; you will let me feel that my lonely life is to
+have some joy before its close.'
+
+'Indeed, indeed, all we _can_ do, we shall,' said Colonel Mildmay very
+gently. 'You cannot ask more affection than we are most ready to give.
+But'----He hesitated, and the look of eager satisfaction faded out of
+the old lady's face.
+
+'But!' she repeated sharply. 'What "buts" can there be in so simple a
+matter?'
+
+It was a distressing position. Colonel Mildmay, essentially a
+kind-hearted man and most averse to giving pain, felt it acutely. But he
+was not one to temporise. It was a case demanding the plainest speaking.
+
+'My dear Lady Myrtle,' he said, 'if I am blunt or rough, forgive me. It
+is just this. I cannot agree to what I think wrong, and I could never
+feel it right to agree to what you propose. I am still young enough and
+strong enough to work for my family in my profession, and the day I
+began to lead an idle, or even a comparatively idle life, would see me a
+miserable man. If you are so good as to continue your interest in my
+children--Jacinth especially--by asking them to visit you sometimes, we
+shall be _most_ grateful. If--if you like to leave Jacinth some little
+sum of money in your will which would help or increase any provision I
+can make for her, I would be foolish and ungracious in the extreme to
+object. But more than this--no, my dear friend, no. For--and here I must
+crave your pardon beforehand for what must seem impertinence and
+intrusion--not only have we, we Mildmays, _no_ claim upon you,
+but--there are those who have.'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+A BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT.
+
+
+There was an awful pause. Such at least it seemed to poor Mrs Mildmay,
+who, now that she was not called upon to act for herself, and felt under
+the protection of her husband, dared to tremble! Then came Lady Myrtle's
+reply, short, cold, and decisive.
+
+'I deny it,' she said.
+
+Colonel Mildmay did not speak.
+
+The old lady glanced at him. His eyes were fixed on the table beside
+which he was seated; he tapped it lightly with a paper-cutter which he
+held in his hand. And after a moment's waiting she spoke again.
+
+'I know what you refer to,' she said. 'It would be nonsense to pretend I
+do not. And I can--even--understand how to you it may seem that the
+claim you allude to exists. But, if you have talked together about
+these--these people, as no doubt you have done, has not Eugenia told you
+what I have told her, that on a certain day my father and I shook
+ourselves free from the bonds which had become shackles of shame; that
+from that time Bernard Harper and all belonging to him ceased to be more
+to us than any stranger we might brush against in the street?'
+
+Colonel Mildmay raised his head and looked at her quietly.
+
+'It could not be done; the bonds do exist and must exist,' he said. 'The
+great thing is that, however cruelly they may have torn and wounded you
+in the past, they may now be to you a cause of happiness and
+satisfaction.'
+
+But Lady Myrtle shook her head.
+
+'I will never acknowledge even the possibility of my recognising these
+descendants of my former brother as anything to me,' she said. And the
+quietness with which she spoke was very impressive. 'I have given them
+assistance because I believe them to be worthy people in sore need. I
+may even do so again if you tell me their need continues. But that is
+all. I should be false to my dead father if I did otherwise.
+
+'Still, the late Lord Elvedon--your father, I mean--looked forward to
+his _elder_ son's children being reinstated,' Colonel Mildmay ventured
+to say. 'Why then, in the actual circumstances of his _younger_
+grandchildren being to the full as worthy and in far greater need, why
+treat them so differently?'
+
+Lady Myrtle hesitated, for half a second only, but even that was
+something.
+
+'My father could not have contemplated the _possibility_ of Bernard's
+descendants being--of their wiping out his disgrace,' she said at last
+confusedly.
+
+'Exactly,' Colonel Mildmay replied quickly. 'And it was only natural.
+But as he did _not_ contemplate a state of things which has actually
+come to pass, how can his directions affect you with regard to these
+facts?'
+
+Lady Myrtle again shook her head. She had grown very pale, but otherwise
+she was completely self-controlled.
+
+'I cannot argue in that way. I do not even pretend to be logical,' she
+said. 'I can only repeat--so it is. So now you understand. If I did not
+leave that part of my property which I conscientiously believe to be at
+my own disposal to the one I have chosen--the child who it seemed to me
+had been sent to brighten in some measure the loneliness of my old age;'
+and here her firm clear voice trembled, 'then--my will must stand as it
+is, and all destined for Jacinth, and in a sense for you yourselves,
+shall go to the two hospitals I have selected as the most worthy of
+help. I will have no compromises, no half measures.'
+
+Colonel Mildmay bowed.
+
+'Then let it be so,' he said. 'It is certainly not for me to dictate to
+you, dear Lady Myrtle.'
+
+She seemed a little perplexed by his manner.
+
+'Why should I give in to you?' she said inconsequently. 'Why should I
+not leave my fortune to Jacinth all the same? Why do you take for
+granted that I shall not do so? should she be punished for your--your
+obstinacy and quixotry?' and in spite of herself a smile crept over the
+old lady's face.
+
+'I do not take it for granted,' said Colonel Mildmay. 'I know that you
+would not act towards Jacinth in such a way as to place her in
+opposition to her parents. I know that you respect our way of viewing
+the matter, however you may disagree with it.'
+
+Lady Myrtle seemed mollified.
+
+'You judge me rightly,' she said. 'If one feeling is stronger than
+another in me, it is respect for parental authority and influence. You
+are right. I would not so act to your child as to sow discord and
+disunion between her and those nearest and dearest to her after I am
+gone. But, let me ask you one thing--is your present decision quite
+irreversible?'
+
+Colonel Mildmay sat silent for a minute considering deeply.
+
+'Yes,' he said; 'I do not see any choice. I cannot take the London
+appointment--to live in reality, my dear lady, on your bounty. For that
+is what it would be. And even if such a position had been possible for
+me--and I confess I cannot conceive its being so--still less possible
+would it be now that you know our mind as to the ultimate disposal of
+things, and that we have been forced to thwart your more than generous,
+your unprecedented goodness to us.'
+
+'Then you will go to Barmettle?'
+
+Colonel Mildmay bent his head.
+
+'Ah well,' said Lady Myrtle, 'another dream vanished!'
+
+Mrs Mildmay started up at this.
+
+'Oh, dear Lady Myrtle, dear, dear friend,' she said, and the tears were
+in her eyes, 'don't speak like that. I cannot bear it. You say there can
+be no sort of compromise, but surely there can be of one kind; you will
+not, you cannot expect us to leave off looking to you and feeling to you
+as our best and dearest friend?'
+
+And she threw her arms round the old lady as Francie might have done,
+and was not repulsed.
+
+'You will let me have Jacinth sometimes?' whispered Lady Myrtle.
+
+'Of course, of course; whenever you like and as much as you like,' said
+Mrs Mildmay eagerly.
+
+'I will not be unreasonable,' the old lady said with one of the
+half-wistful smiles that were so touching. 'Even if--if everything had
+been going to be as I hoped, I would never have wished or expected
+anything which could have interfered with her home ties and duties. And
+I need scarcely say I will never come upon this subject that we have
+been discussing, with her. I will leave it entirely to you, her parents,
+to tell her what you think right, though I own I should like her to
+realise how I have been thinking of her.'
+
+[Illustration: 'Ah well!' said Lady Myrtle, 'another dream vanished!']
+
+'That she certainly shall,' exclaimed Mrs Mildmay impulsively. And
+though a moment afterwards she was tempted to murmur to herself 'at all
+costs,' she did not repent of her promise. 'It would not be fair to Lady
+Myrtle for Jacinth to be told nothing,' she reflected. 'And scarcely
+indeed fair to the child herself. For I cannot but believe she will see
+it all as we do.'
+
+So that afternoon Colonel Mildmay wrote to accept the appointment
+offered him up at gloomy, smoky Barmettle in the dreary north country.
+
+'I doubt if we have done much to forward the poor Harpers' cause,' said
+his wife as she watched him closing and sealing the big blue official
+envelope.
+
+'Very possibly not,' he replied calmly. 'But we have, I hope and
+believe, done _right_. And so we must not feel over much concern for the
+poor Harpers' future any more than for that of our own children, my dear
+Eugenia.'
+
+And though Mrs Mildmay agreed with him, she was human enough, and woman
+enough, to sigh a little at certain visions of what might have been,
+which _would_ intrude themselves!
+
+'But what,' she began again after a little pause, 'what are we to say to
+Jacinth?'
+
+It is to be confessed that Colonel Mildmay's reply was not quite so
+ready this time.
+
+'We must consider well about that,' he said. 'Of course we must tell her
+soon about Barmettle. It would not be treating her fairly, for she is a
+remarkably sensible girl, and has behaved excellently in rather
+difficult circumstances. Alison's little house and odd ways must have
+been somewhat trying after the liberal easy-going life at Stannesley. It
+would not be treating Jacinth as she deserves, not to take her into our
+confidence as to our plans.'
+
+'And the mere mention of Barmettle will lead on to the whole,' said Mrs
+Mildmay. 'Frank, you must help me to put it to her wisely. I fear,
+though very little has been said about it, that Jassie has an intense
+dislike to the idea of Barmettle; and I fear still more, that in spite
+of Lady Myrtle's good sense and extreme wish to cause no trouble, she
+has somehow or other allowed some hint of her intentions to escape her.'
+
+Colonel Mildmay looked very grave at this; graver than he had yet done.
+
+'Jacinth is extremely quick,' he said, 'and notwithstanding her quiet
+undemonstrative manner I suspect that she has a very lively imagination.
+But surely all she has got in her head is only childish; looking forward
+to long visits here and a continuance of Lady Myrtle's kindness? As
+regards Barmettle, I have no doubt she would prefer my taking the London
+appointment, but she is sensible; we only need to put it to her.'
+
+'I hope so,' said Mrs Mildmay with a sigh. 'But the whole is so
+complicated: she is prejudiced against the Harpers; just the opposite of
+Frances.'
+
+'That _is_ unfortunate,' said Colonel Mildmay. But after a moment's
+silence he spoke again more cheerfully. 'We must not spoil Jacinth,' he
+said. 'If she has been led to cherish any brilliant hopes, the sooner
+she gives them up the better. I shall be sorry for her disappointment,
+but I am sure she is not really selfish. If she sees that you and I are
+happier--infinitely happier--as things are, she will not take it to
+heart. And it may not be necessary to say much; not to enter into
+mercenary details, to a child like her.'
+
+'I hope so,' said Mrs Mildmay again. But again her sigh somewhat belied
+her words.
+
+The very next day brought the dreaded opportunity. Some little allusion
+was made to Colonel Mildmay's intention of running up to London again
+the following week.
+
+'Shall you have any commissions for me, Lady Myrtle?' he said lightly.
+
+The old lady shook her head, but without her usual smile.
+
+'I think not, Colonel Mildmay, thank you,' she said. 'I _had_ thought of
+asking you to see my agent about my house in Brook Street. The present
+tenant's lease expires nine months hence, and I must make up my mind
+what I am going to do.'
+
+'I fear I am not very _au fait_ of such matters,' he replied. 'But I
+could at least hear what the agent has to say more satisfactorily than
+by letter. So pray let me call; give me all your instructions. I should
+be more than delighted to be of any use, you must know,' he ended
+earnestly.
+
+Lady Myrtle seemed pleased.
+
+'Thank you,' she said. 'Well, yes then; I will tell you what I want to
+know.'
+
+This conversation took place at luncheon. That afternoon Jacinth sought
+her mother in her own room.
+
+'Mamma,' she said, 'are you busy? May I talk to you a little?'
+
+Mrs Mildmay laid down her pen.
+
+'I was writing to Marmy,' she said, 'but I have plenty of time. What is
+it, dear? I am glad to have a little quiet talk together. I have been
+wishing for it, too.'
+
+But Jacinth scarcely seemed to listen.
+
+'Mamma,' she began again, somewhat irrelevantly it might have seemed.
+'Brook Street isn't a _very_ grand part of London, is it? At least all
+the houses in it are not tremendously grand, are they? I was thinking
+about Lady Myrtle's house. Couldn't it be arranged for _us_ to be her
+tenants? I'm sure she would like it if she thought we would. Mightn't I
+say something about it to her? She likes me to say whatever I think of,
+but I thought--for such a thing as a _house_, perhaps I had better ask
+you first.'
+
+'But, my dearest child, we don't want any house in London,' said Mrs
+Mildmay with a smile which she strove to make unconstrained. 'You
+forget, dear, the choice was never between Barmettle and _London_, but
+between Barmettle and India again, and'----
+
+'But mamma,' interrupted Jacinth, 'please answer my question first. Is
+Brook Street very grand? Would a house there be out of the question for
+us, even if we--if we had one there for nothing?'
+
+'Yes; unless we had another thousand a year at least, we could not
+possibly live there on our income with any comfort or consistency,' Mrs
+Mildmay replied quietly.
+
+The girl's face fell.
+
+'A thousand a year! that's a good deal,' she said. 'I had thought'----
+
+'But why worry yourself about things that can never be, dear Jassie?'
+said her mother. 'We were going to tell you--even your Aunt Alison does
+not know yet--that it is all decided, and oh, I am so thankful that the
+long separation is over at last. Your father wrote yesterday to accept
+the Barmettle appointment.'
+
+Jacinth grew scarlet, then very, very pale.
+
+'Mamma,' she exclaimed, and the low repression in her tone was more
+unnatural--more alarming, I had almost said--in one so young, than any
+even violent ebullition of temper. 'Mamma, it _can't_ be true. You are
+saying it to tease me. You--you and papa would never have settled it
+without telling me, without consulting Lady Myrtle, after all her
+goodness?'
+
+'No,' replied Mrs Mildmay, arming herself for the contest by a resolute
+determination not to lose her self-control, however it might be tried;
+'no, though a little reflection would show you that you should have more
+trust in your parents, dear Jacinth; it was _not_ done without
+consulting our kind old friend. And however she may regret it, I _know_
+she respects your father's decision.'
+
+Jacinth looked up eagerly; a reaction of hope came over her.
+
+'Mamma,' she said breathlessly, 'believe me, I don't mean to be either
+disrespectful or distrustful, but did Lady Myrtle say nothing against
+it? Is she perhaps going to do so when--when she has thought everything
+over?'
+
+'She did say everything she could; she did use the strongest arguments
+she had: but she could not but see that your father's _motives_ were
+right, and so she saw it must be as he said,' replied Mrs Mildmay.
+
+A harder look crept over Jacinth's face; the eager, almost nervous,
+anxiety died out of it.
+
+'There is something about all this that I do not understand,' she said.
+'Unless you and papa mean to treat me as a baby, I think I have a right
+to know. I think Lady Myrtle would say so.'
+
+Mrs Mildmay felt much perplexed. Any approach to diplomacy, anything but
+perfect candour and frankness, was so foreign to her nature, that it was
+difficult for her not at once to speak out and explain the whole. But
+then, if she did so, she might be only sowing seeds of future
+bitterness. It was improbable, to say the least, that Jacinth had
+realised in any definite way Lady Myrtle's intentions with regard to
+her, seeing that the old lady had not announced them to her.
+
+'All she can know is only that Lady Myrtle meant to do _something_,'
+reflected Jacinth's mother. 'It would be for her happiness, and for that
+of us all, that she should never know more.'
+
+Jacinth saw the trouble in her mother's face.
+
+'Mamma,' she said, 'if you won't speak to me openly, I will ask Lady
+Myrtle herself.'
+
+Mrs Mildmay flushed.
+
+'Jassie,' she said quietly, 'you do not mean it, but your tone sounds
+almost like a threat--to me--to your mother?' And in spite of herself,
+her voice trembled a little.
+
+But still Jacinth repeated coldly, 'I think I have a right to know.'
+
+At that moment the door opened, and to Mrs Mildmay's immense relief her
+husband entered.
+
+'What is the matter?' he asked quickly. 'Am I interrupting you?'
+
+'On the contrary,' said his wife, 'I am very glad you have come. Jacinth
+is, as I half feared she would be, exceedingly upset by the news about
+Barmettle, and she seems to think we have not treated her with the
+confidence she deserves.'
+
+'You cannot feel that, when I tell you that my decision was only made
+yesterday,' said her father to Jacinth.
+
+'Yes. I think you might have--have consulted me a little before making
+it,' the girl replied. 'It is something to me personally; to have to
+live at a place like that now I am nearly grown up.'
+
+She seemed to be purposely emphasising the selfish part of her
+dissatisfaction out of a kind of reckless defiance.
+
+'Do you quite understand that it was a choice between this appointment
+and an indefinite return to India?' said Colonel Mildmay.
+
+'I understand that you think so. But I don't see it. There was the
+London thing. And even if not, I would rather have had India.'
+
+'No, no, Jassie, don't do yourself injustice,' exclaimed her mother.
+'Not when you think of the risk to your father's health.'
+
+Jacinth hesitated.
+
+'But there _was_ a choice,' she said; and now there was a touch of
+timidity in her voice.
+
+Colonel Mildmay considered; they were approaching the crucial point, and
+he took his resolution.
+
+'No, Jacinth,' he said. 'To my mind, as an honourable man, there was no
+choice. I should have forfeited for ever my own self-respect had I
+agreed to Lady Myrtle's proposal.'
+
+And then he rapidly, but clearly, put before her the substance of their
+old friend's intentions and wishes, and his reasons for refusing to fall
+in with them.
+
+'Lady Myrtle is too good a woman to sow discord in a family,' he said,
+'between a child and her parents. And it was impossible for us to
+approve of the apportionment of her property she proposed, knowing that
+there exist at this very time those who _have_ a claim on her, who most
+thoroughly deserve the restoration of what should have been theirs
+always; who have suffered, indeed, already only too severely for the sin
+and wrong-doing of another.'
+
+Jacinth started, and the lines of her face hardened again.
+
+'I thought it was that,' she exclaimed. 'Those people--they are at the
+bottom of it, then.'
+
+'Jacinth!' said her mother.
+
+'I beg your pardon, mamma,' said the girl quickly. 'It must sound very
+strange for me to speak like that; but, you don't know how I have been
+teased about these Harpers. And mamma, Lady Myrtle doesn't look upon
+them as you and papa do, so why should you expect me to do so? Do you
+suppose she will leave _them_ anything she would have left us--me?'
+
+'Very likely not,' said Colonel Mildmay.
+
+'Then for everybody's sake, why not have left things as Lady Myrtle
+meant? I--we, I mean,' and Jacinth's face crimsoned, 'could have been
+good to them; it would have been better for them in the end.'
+
+'Do you suppose they would have accepted help--money, to put it
+coarsely--from strangers?' said Colonel Mildmay. 'It is not _help_ they
+should have, but actual practical restoration of what should be theirs.
+And even supposing our decision does them no good, can't you see,
+Jacinth, that anything else would be _wrong_?'
+
+'No,' said Jacinth, 'I don't see it.'
+
+'Then I am sorry for you,' said her father coldly.
+
+'I know,' said Jacinth, 'that Lady Myrtle likes things one way or
+another. I suppose she will give us up altogether now. I suppose she
+will leave off caring anything about me. You think very badly of me,
+papa, I can see; you think me mercenary and selfish and everything
+horrid; but--it _wasn't_ only for myself, and it isn't only because of
+what she was doing for us, and meant to do for us. I have got to love
+Lady Myrtle very much, and I shall feel dreadfully the never seeing her
+any more, and--and'----
+
+Here, not altogether to her mother's distress, Jacinth broke down and
+began to sob bitterly. Mrs Mildmay got up from her seat, and came close
+to where the girl was sitting by the table.
+
+'My poor dear child,' she said, 'we have never thought you selfish in
+_that_ sort of way.'
+
+'No,' agreed her father; 'that you may believe. You have had of late too
+much responsibility thrown upon you, and it has given you the feeling
+that the whole fortunes of your family depended upon you in some sense.
+Be content to be a child a little longer, my Jacinth, and to trust your
+parents. And there is no need for you to anticipate any change with Lady
+Myrtle. She will care for you, and for us all, as much as ever--more
+perhaps; and as much time as it will be right for you to spend away from
+your own home, you shall have our heartiest consent to spending with
+her. If you can in any way give her pleasure--and I know you can--it
+will be the very least we can do in return for her really wonderful
+goodness to us.'
+
+'I should like to see her; to be with her sometimes,' said Jacinth,
+whose sobs had now calmed down into quiet crying. 'But I don't
+want--once we go away to that place--I don't want ever to see Robin
+Redbreast again. Ever since'--and here she had to stop a moment--'ever
+since that first day when we passed it with Uncle Marmy, I have had a
+sort of feeling to this house--a kind of presentiment. I can't bear to
+think of its going to strangers, or--or people that know nothing about
+Lady Myrtle. And very likely, if she leaves all she has to big hospitals
+or something like that, very likely this place will be sold.'
+
+'It may be so,' said Colonel Mildmay; and he added with a smile, 'I wish
+for your sake I were rich enough to buy it, my poor dear child.'
+
+So Jacinth's castles in the air were somewhat rudely destroyed. There
+was but one consolation to her. Lady Myrtle was even more loving than
+hitherto, though she said nothing about the collapse of her plans. For
+Mrs Mildmay gave her to understand that matters, so far as was fitting,
+had been explained to her elder daughter.
+
+'Humph!' said the old lady. 'That seals _my_ lips. For of course I
+cannot express disapproval of her parents to the child.'
+
+But her tenderness and marked affection went some way to soothe the
+smarting of the girl's sore feelings.
+
+'She understands me far better than papa and mamma do,' thought Jacinth.
+'If they meant me to see everything through their eyes, they shouldn't
+have left me away from them all these years.'
+
+Still a curious strain of pride in her father's stern honesty, in his
+utter disinterestedness, now and then mingled with her feelings of
+disappointment. She could not help feeling proud of him! Nevertheless
+the tears were many and bitter which Jacinth shed when the last night of
+their stay at Robin Redbreast came.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+TWO DEGREES OF HONESTY.
+
+
+Barmettle is not an attractive place; though like most places in this
+varied world it has its interests and even no doubt its charm for many
+of its inhabitants--its bright and happy homes, as well as its thousands
+of hard, if not overworked, pale-faced artisans, men and women, of many
+grades and classes.
+
+And the sun can shine there sometimes; and not so many miles from the
+very centre of the town, you can escape from the heavy pall of
+smoke-filled air, into fresh and picturesque country, whose beauties, to
+my thinking, strike one all the more vividly from the force of contrast
+with the ugliness and griminess which you cannot forget are so near.
+
+There had been some talk--when the Mildmay family first contemplated the
+pitching of their tent in this unknown land--there had been some talk of
+a house in the neighbourhood of the town, a few miles out, where a
+garden and a field or two would have been possible, to reconcile the
+children and their mother, to some extent, to the great change from all
+their former experiences. But Colonel Mildmay had been obliged to give
+up hopes of this. There were several difficulties in the way, and _the_
+house which sometimes at such crises turns up with such undeniable
+advantages as to over-ride the less immediate objections, had not
+offered itself. So, considering the inconvenience of scanty
+communication between the barracks and the 'pretty' side of the
+outskirts, the impossibility of day-school arrangements for Eugene, and
+a very certain amount of loneliness and isolation, especially in the
+winter months, the fairly desirable house in St Wilfred's Place which
+_did_ offer itself carried the day.
+
+It was but five minutes' walk from Colonel Mildmay's official quarters,
+and conveniently near Eugene's school; it was very much in the minds of
+the teachers who now replaced the Misses Scarlett's institution as
+regarded the girls; it was not duller as to outlook and surroundings
+than had to be at Barmettle, for it faced St Wilfred's Church, one of
+the oldest and most interesting structures in the modern town, which had
+once been a pleasant straggling north-country village; and last, though
+not least, its rent was moderate.
+
+And Mrs Mildmay, unspoilt by her long residence in the East--as full of
+energy and resources as when she arranged the drawing-rooms at
+Stannesley in her careless girlish days, and laughed merrily at her kind
+step-mother's old-fashioned notions--exerted herself to make the house
+as pretty as she possibly could.
+
+'I am glad it is cheap,' she said to her husband, 'for we can afford to
+spend rather more in making it comfortable and nice, especially for
+Jassie.'
+
+And Jacinth's room was all a girl could wish, and at night, when the
+outer world was shut off, and the dark square hall and wide quaint
+staircase, which had attracted the new tenants in their house-hunting,
+were lighted up, looking bright and cheerful with the crimson carpets
+and curtains which Barmettle smoke had not as yet had time to dull,
+Frances's expression of approval, 'Really it looks so nice that you
+might fancy it wasn't Barmettle at all,' could scarcely be contradicted.
+
+But Frances, like her mother, was born with the happy faculty for seeing
+the best side of things. It was all, naturally, much harder on Jacinth.
+And as Jacinth stood one morning in November looking out into the dreary
+street, where rain had been pouring down ever since daybreak, and was
+still dripping monotonously, she did feel that her lines had not of late
+fallen in pleasant places. Yet she was not so selfish as this sounds.
+She had made a struggle to see things as her parents did, and in this
+she had not been entirely unsuccessful, and the constant love and
+watchful sympathy which were now a part of her daily life, unconsciously
+influenced her in good and gentle ways which she scarcely realised.
+
+Some ground she had gained. She had come to see that if her father and
+mother felt about the Harper family as they did, they could not have
+acted otherwise. And her own conscience was not, it will be remembered,
+entirely clear. 'Of course,' she said to herself, 'if Lady Myrtle had
+been left to do as she wished, I should have felt it my duty to do
+something for the Harpers. I'm sure I should have found some way of
+managing it.' But no doubt there was a kind of relief in feeling it was
+taken out of her hands, for Jacinth was growing gradually less confident
+in her own powers: for the first time in her life she was realising the
+delight and privilege of having others wiser than herself to whom she
+could look up.
+
+'Mamma,' she said, on the morning in question, 'do you think there
+really are places where it rains ever so much more than at others? or is
+it only that we notice it more at some? I really could almost think
+that it rains here _every_ day.'
+
+Mrs Mildmay smiled.
+
+'No, dear, it really does not. I don't think the rainfall here is much
+greater than in London or at Thetford, but the heavy air and the
+grayness make us, as you say, notice it more. In many places where there
+actually is more rain than the average, the country is peculiarly bright
+and fresh. Think of the grass in Ireland.'
+
+But Jacinth's thoughts were already wandering elsewhere.
+
+'Mamma,' she began again, 'do you think we shall have to stay here for
+Christmas?'
+
+'I suppose so,' replied Mrs Mildmay. 'Even if Lady Myrtle wished it--as
+indeed I am sure she does--it would hardly be worth while for us to go
+to her for only two or three days, which is all the leave your father
+could get. And there are a good many things we have to see to here.'
+
+'Yes,' said Frances, 'there's the Christmas treat for the barracks
+children. It's never been properly done. And Miss Lettice Piers is going
+to invite us to their treat at St Wilfred's first, so that we may see.
+I'd like best to have our visits to Robin Redbreast in the summer,
+except that it must be rather dull for Lady Myrtle. She was so pleased
+to have us there last Christmas.'
+
+'I wish we could have her here,' said Mrs Mildmay. 'But she would never
+be allowed to come up north in the winter.'
+
+Jacinth sighed.
+
+'It seems a good while since we heard from Lady Myrtle,' she said. 'I
+hope she's not ill. I did think she would have _tried_ to get us there
+for Christmas.'
+
+'I don't think she can be ill,' said Mrs Mildmay, 'for your aunt would
+have known it. She goes to see Lady Myrtle regularly. I shall be hearing
+from Alison in a day or two, however.'
+
+'Jassie,' said Frances, a moment or two later, when their mother had
+left the room, 'I wish you wouldn't look so melancholy. Just think what
+a lot of nice things have come to us, as well as the sad ones. Just
+fancy how we should have been ready to jump out of our skins for joy if
+we had known, when we left Stannesley, how soon papa and mamma would be
+at home with us.'
+
+'I know,' said Jacinth. 'I do try to think of all that. But I do so
+dislike this gloomy place, Francie, and I think papa looks so fagged,
+and we have scarcely any friends we care for; the people are all so
+stupid, and so'----
+
+'So what?'
+
+'So rich,' said Jacinth, rather at a loss apparently what crime to lay
+at the doors of the good folk of the manufacturing town who had incurred
+her displeasure.
+
+Frances laughed.
+
+'That's not a sin,' she said. 'Lady Myrtle's rich, and so in a way, I
+suppose, is Uncle Marmy.'
+
+'I mean they seem to think of it so. Once or twice, when I've paid calls
+with mamma, they were so fussy and show-off. You know how I mean,' said
+Jacinth.
+
+'Well, there are plenty of poor too, if that would make you like
+Barmettle any better. Amy Piers says there are some dreadfully poor, and
+she says that even the ones who get very big wages don't save at all,
+and then if there comes a bad time--a bad time for trade, when some of
+the people have to be turned off: it does come like that now and then,
+she says, though I don't understand why--they are really starving.'
+
+'They should be taught to save, then,' said Jacinth. 'Why don't the
+Piers teach them? If I were the vicar, I'd preach sermons about it. If
+people are so silly, they must expect to suffer for it.'
+
+'But think of the poor little children!' said Frances, whose sympathy
+was readier than her sister's. 'It isn't _their_ fault, and they suffer
+the most. Amy says it's a good deal owing to the people spending so much
+on beer and brandy and horrid tipsifying things. I'm sure the Piers do
+all they possibly can, and you know how papa says that, even with all
+the strict rules in the army, it's awfully difficult to keep the men
+sober. If I were the Queen, Jass, I'd make a law against having so many
+public-houses; I would indeed.'
+
+'The Queen can't make laws all by herself like that, Frances. You don't
+understand. If the people were taught how horrid it is to get drunk,
+they'd leave off wanting to buy too much beer and things like that, and
+then the public-houses would have to give up because they wouldn't have
+customers enough. That's the best way.'
+
+'Well, I think it should be done both ways,' said Frances. 'If there
+weren't so many public-houses, there wouldn't be so much temptation;'
+and the little reformer nodded her head sagely.
+
+Just then Mrs Mildmay re-entered the room.
+
+'Jassie dear,' she said, 'it's Saturday morning. You have no lessons,
+and though it's so rainy I know you're not afraid of the weather.
+Frances has a cold, so she mustn't come out. Will you wrap yourself up
+well, and come a little way with me to help me to carry some things to
+Mrs Wake? She has gone to stay with her mother, you know, for a little
+change, but they are very poor people, and I must help them as much as I
+can.'
+
+Jacinth sprang to her feet eagerly.
+
+'Oh yes, mamma,' she exclaimed, 'I should like very much to come. I'll
+be ready directly. I'll put on a thick jacket and my waterproof cape
+over that.'
+
+And in a few minutes the mother and daughter were making their way, each
+laden with some parcels as well as the unavoidable umbrella, along the
+muddy pavement in the direction of a poorer part of the town. Mrs Wake
+was the wife of one of Colonel Mildmay's soldier servants; she happened
+to belong to a Barmettle family, which was just now very fortunate for
+her, as she had had a most serious illness in the barracks, and had
+lately been moved for greater quiet to her own old home.
+
+'Francie and I were just talking about the poor people here,' said
+Jacinth. 'Amy Piers tells her about them. I shall be very glad to see
+one of the homes they live in.'
+
+'It will be rather a good specimen, though they are very poor people,'
+said Mrs Mildmay; 'for they are thrifty and most respectable. But for
+many years the father has not been able to earn full wages, as he was
+crippled by an accident. Indeed, but for the kindness of the head of the
+factory where he worked, he would have been turned off altogether on a
+very small pension. It was true kindness to let him stay on to do what
+work he could, for it kept up his spirits.'
+
+'The master must be a good man,' said Jacinth.
+
+'I believe he is--one of the best in Barmettle,' said Mrs Mildmay. 'But
+here we are, Jassie,' and as she spoke she turned down a small passage,
+not wide enough to be called by a more important name, leading out of
+the already poor and narrow street they were in, and knocked at a door a
+few steps on.
+
+It was quickly opened. A rather gaunt and careworn, but clean and
+honest-looking, elderly woman stood before them. Her eyes were red with
+crying, but she welcomed Mrs Mildmay very civilly, though with a sort of
+reserve of manner which struck Jacinth as very different from the
+extremely hearty, though respectful, deference with which, as her
+grandmother's messenger, she used to be received by their own villagers
+at Stannesley.
+
+'You'll be come to ask for my daughter,' said the woman. She had been a
+domestic servant, and had but little north-country accent. 'You're
+welcome, I'm sure, and she'll take it kindly. Take a seat,' and she led
+them into the little kitchen, tidy and clean, though encumbered with
+some pieces of treasured furniture decidedly too big for it. 'Yes, she's
+fairly--th' doctor's main content.'
+
+'Oh,' said Mrs Mildmay, 'I am glad to hear it. I was afraid when I saw
+you'----But she stopped suddenly, for before she could say more the old
+woman had sunk into a chair, and, flinging her apron over her head, was
+giving way to bitter weeping. Jacinth felt both distressed and alarmed.
+Like her mother she had noticed the signs of tears on Mrs Burton's face.
+
+'I am so sorry,' said Mrs Mildmay, getting up as she said the words, and
+standing beside the woman, she gently laid her hand on her arm. 'Is it
+some new trouble--your husband?'
+
+'Nay, nay,' sobbed the poor thing. 'Burton is finely--for him, that's to
+say. But have ye not heard th' ill news?' and she raised her head in
+surprise. 'Th' measter,' and as she grew absorbed in what she had to
+tell, she fell back into the kind of talk she had accustomed herself to
+discard when with 'gentry.' 'He's gone!' and her sobs broke out again.
+
+'What! good Mr Fairfield,' said Mrs Mildmay. 'No, I had not heard it.
+What a loss he will be! Was it very sudden?'
+
+And Jacinth standing by, listened eagerly to all Mrs Burton told.
+
+He had been struck by paralysis--the kind friend of so many years--only
+two days before, and had never rallied. And the grief was widespread and
+deep. It would throw many into sorrow and anxiety too, the old woman
+said; for though he left two sons to succeed him, it remained to be seen
+if they would follow in his footsteps.
+
+'They will be very rich; they may not care to carry on the business, of
+course,' said Mrs Mildmay. 'No doubt Mr Fairfield has left a large
+fortune.'
+
+But Mrs Burton shook her head. It was far from the case. The business
+was doing well, as it deserved to do, but beyond its good prospects he
+left but little. And then she went on to explain why it was so; thus
+entering into the circumstances which had so specially endeared the dead
+man to his workpeople. A good many years ago, she related, when Mr
+Fairfield had first inherited the 'works,' a terrible accident had
+occurred, in which, with several others, Burton had suffered. The
+accident, though in those days such inquiries were less searching, had
+revealed a certain danger in a part of the machinery recently introduced
+at great expense, as a wonderful improvement. The danger was remote; it
+was perfectly possible no damage might ever again occur from the same
+cause; no pressure of any kind was put upon the master, no suggestion
+even, of change; his own workpeople would not have blamed him had he
+'let things be.' But such was not Mr Fairfield's way of viewing a
+master's responsibilities. He had almost all the machinery changed, for
+the one alteration he deemed absolutely necessary involved others. And
+the outlay had been something immense, especially as a run of bad years
+had followed it. And even when times improved again, and he began to
+feel his head above water, he never himself benefited by the profits as
+most would have done.
+
+''Twas always summat for his people, as he called 'em, bless him.
+Reading-rooms, or clubs, or schools. Year in, year out, 'twas his first
+thought and his last. What else was he there for? he'd say, mony's the
+time. Ah, well; he's gone where _his_ Master'll have good thought for
+_him_,' the old woman added quaintly, 'the master he served so faithful.
+For ye see, ma'am,' she went on, forgetting for the moment her grief in
+her earnestness, 'I take it as it's this way. There's honesty to God as
+well as honesty to men. None would 'a blamed Measter Fairfield if he'd
+let things be; no man could 'a done so. But he looked higher nor the
+judging o' men.'
+
+'Yes, truly,' Mrs Mildmay heartily agreed, 'that was the secret, Mrs
+Burton.'
+
+'But, oh dear, dear;' cried the poor woman, relapsing again into the
+tears which did her credit, 'it's mony a sore heart he'll leave behind
+him.'
+
+'Mamma,' said Jacinth softly and half timidly, when a quarter of an hour
+or so later they were wending their way home relieved of their packages,
+through the muddy streets--'mamma, do you know that what she said--old
+Mrs Burton, I mean--about the two kinds of honesty has helped to--to
+make me understand better than I did before what papa felt, and you too,
+of course, about--about Lady Myrtle and the Harpers, you know.'
+
+Mrs Mildmay, in spite of the rain and her umbrella, managed to give
+Jacinth's arm a little loving squeeze.
+
+'I am so glad, so very glad, dear,' she said.
+
+'Mamma,' said Jacinth, again, after a little silence, in a more assured
+voice this time, 'if papa had been in Mr Fairfield's place, he would
+have done just like him, wouldn't he?'
+
+'I am quite sure he would,' agreed her mother.
+
+And notwithstanding the cold and the rain and the grimness of
+everything, I think Jacinth felt happier that day than since they had
+come to Barmettle.
+
+A day or two later another little event helped to confirm Jacinth's
+better and truer views of her great disappointment. This was the arrival
+of a letter for Frances, forwarded from Thetford by their Aunt Alison.
+
+'A letter for me!' exclaimed the little girl, when at the
+breakfast-table her mother handed it to her. 'Whom can it be from? I
+hardly ever get any letters.' But as her eye fell on the address her
+face flushed and brightened.
+
+'Oh, I do believe,' she said, 'I do believe it's from Bessie--Bessie
+Harper. And of course she'd have to send it to Aunt Alison's; she
+doesn't know we've left Thetford.'
+
+'I'm not so sure of that,' said Mrs Mildmay. 'When I wrote to Mrs Lyle
+some time ago, I told her we were coming to Barmettle, but very likely
+she did not think of sending our address to her nieces, for they have
+not been in the habit of writing to you or Jacinth.'
+
+'No,' Frances replied, rather incoherently, for she was already buried
+in her letter, 'that's what she says. "Aunt Flora"--is that Mrs Lyle,
+mamma?--"Aunt Flora told us you had gone to live up in the north. I am
+afraid it can't be as bright and pretty there as at Thetford, but still
+it must be lovely to have your father and mother with you for always
+now. I think I can understand far better than ever what a very great
+trouble it must have been to you and your sister to be without them all
+those years, for oh, we did so miss father and mother when they were in
+London for six months, and then in Germany. They took Margaret with them
+to Germany, and it did her such a lot of good. I have wanted to write to
+you ever so often, and so has Camilla, but mother wasn't quite sure how
+we could say what we wished. But now she has had another letter from
+Aunt Flora, and this has made her give me leave to write and tell you
+all our beautiful news. Just fancy, dear Francie, father is _almost_
+quite well. Of course he will always be lame, but he counts that
+nothing, and it's really not so bad nearly as it was. All he had done at
+the London hospital and then the German baths has turned out _so well_,
+and now to make it--the cure, I mean--quite lasting, we are
+_all_--though I write it, I can scarcely believe it--going abroad to
+some mild place for the winter. We have not quite fixed where; but we
+have let Hedge End till next May, and we shall start very soon. If you
+write to me, please address it to Hedge End. And now I want to say
+something that is rather difficult to say. What has made everything come
+right has been the goodness of father's aunt, Lady Myrtle Goodacre. Just
+when we were almost in despair, and it seemed as if nothing _could_ save
+father, she sent mother a lot of money: she said it was a present, but
+_we_ all count it a loan. It was enough to do everything, and more than
+enough, and we can never, never thank her too much. But in our hearts we
+all feel sure that, though you kept exactly to what mother and Camilla
+asked, yet some of you, _somehow_, have been our good fairies. Perhaps
+it was your sister Jacinth, perhaps it was Mrs Mildmay; and I am sure,
+dear Francie, that if ever _you_ had a chance you spoke kindly of us;
+perhaps we shall never know exactly who did it, or how it was done, so
+wisely and carefully as it must have been. But oh, we _do_ thank you; if
+you could see the difference in everything about us now, how we are all
+as happy as the day's long, _you_ would all feel happy just to see it.
+Nearly every night, when we say our prayers, Margaret and I thank God
+for having sent you and Jacinth to be our school-fellows at Miss
+Scarlett's, and for the wonderful way things have come right."'
+
+Then followed a few details more interesting to Frances than of
+consequence in themselves, about the lessons Bessie and Margaret had
+been doing, and how well Camilla managed to teach them, and hopes that
+'some day' the former school-fellows might meet again; ending up with
+repetitions of the gratitude they felt _sure_ they owed to somebody, and
+'much love' from 'your affectionate friend, Elizabeth Vandeleur Harper.'
+
+'"Vandeleur" was Bessie's mother's name. She's very proud of it,' said
+Frances, gazing admiringly at the pretty writing. Then she looked up
+with glistening eyes. 'Mamma, Jass, isn't it _beautiful_? Isn't it
+lovely to think they're so much happier?'
+
+Mrs Mildmay's own face was nearly as bright as Francie's.
+
+'I cannot _tell_ you how glad and thankful I am,' she said. And she took
+hold gently of Jacinth's hand. 'Doesn't it seem to follow up what we
+were saying the other day after we had been at old Mrs Burton's?' she
+whispered.
+
+But Jacinth's face looked pale, and her eyes had tears in them.
+
+'Mamma,' she said, 'I suppose you thought I wouldn't have been nice
+about it, but I think you might have told me that you did get Lady
+Myrtle to do something to help the Harpers. I can see that Francie knew
+about it, and it is horrid to be in a way _thanked_ by them, when--when
+I have really been more a sort of enemy to them than a friend.'
+
+Mrs Mildmay had started a little at Jacinth's first words, for she had
+in fact forgotten, in the consciousness of increasing sympathy between
+her elder daughter and herself, how, at the time of her first appeal to
+Lady Myrtle, she had judged it wiser to say nothing about it to Jacinth.
+And now to her candid and naturally confiding nature this reticence gave
+her almost a guilty feeling. But as Jacinth went on speaking, her mother
+realised that she had done wisely.
+
+'Dear Jassie,' she said quietly, 'at that time I did think it better not
+to tell you that I had interfered. I wanted to avoid all possibilities
+of irritation till you got to know me better. And I did see that you
+were prejudiced to some extent. But now I feel quite differently about
+it, and I wish I had thought of telling you lately, though you must take
+my not having done so as a proof of my feeling at one with you. For till
+this minute I thought you did know. At least I forgot you did not. I
+will tell you exactly how it came about.' And she did so, adding rather
+sadly, as she concluded, 'And after all, dear, you see I was able to do
+very little. Lady Myrtle will _not_ think of them as her relations, and
+grateful though they are for this present help, of course it is not
+anything lasting; not what we would like to make sure of for their
+future.'
+
+'No,' Jacinth agreed, 'I understand how you mean. Still, it is a very
+good thing their father is so much better. I think they have a great
+deal to thank you for, mamma--you, and Francie too, in her way. I think
+they should know _I_ have not helped at all; it makes me feel
+almost--dishonest. If Francie writes to Bessie, couldn't she say
+something?'
+
+'Whatever she says about the matter at all must only be very slight and
+vague,' said Mrs Mildmay. 'And, Jassie dear, you _do_ feel kindly to
+them now?'
+
+'I want to feel whatever's right,' Jacinth replied, and her tone was
+wonderfully humble.
+
+'Then there is no need to enter into any explanations,' said Mrs
+Mildmay. 'It would only hurt poor Bessie if you made any sort of
+disclaimer of the friendliness they credit us all with. The only thing
+you could ever do might perhaps be'----She hesitated.
+
+'What, mamma?' asked Jacinth.
+
+'Some day,' said her mother, 'you _may_ have an opportunity of saying to
+Lady Myrtle that you think you were a little prejudiced against them.'
+
+'Yes,' Jacinth agreed, 'perhaps it would be right. For, you see, mamma,
+_she_ thought I avoided speaking of them because I did not want to annoy
+her, and I think I made myself believe that too. But now I see it wasn't
+only that. It was partly a--I feel ashamed to think of it--a sort of
+horrid jealousy, I am afraid, mamma.'
+
+And though she reddened as she made what to her was really a painful
+confession, Jacinth's heart felt lighter from that moment. There was now
+no shadow of misunderstanding between her mother and herself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+'I WILL THINK IT OVER.'
+
+
+The very faint hope which the Mildmays--Jacinth especially--had
+cherished that, after all, the coming Christmas might 'somehow' be spent
+by them and Lady Myrtle together, soon faded.
+
+There was no question of the old lady's coming north, though in one of
+her letters she spoke of the gladness with which she would have made the
+effort had it been possible; and there was even no question of their all
+joining her at Robin Redbreast, though but for a short visit, for in
+November the fiat went forth which each winter she had secretly for some
+years past been dreading--she must not remain in England. For her
+chronic bronchitis was on her again, and a premature taste of winter in
+the late autumn threatened for a week or two to turn this into something
+worse.
+
+'For myself,' she wrote, 'I would rather stay at home and take the risk,
+but I suppose it would be wrong, though really at my age I have little
+sympathy with that excessive clinging to life one sees where one would
+little expect it. But there is nothing to detain me here specially, and
+it may be that I shall benefit by the change. I want to choose one of
+the winter places I was so happy at more than once long ago, with _your_
+mother, when she and I travelled together with my parents.'
+
+For the letter was to Mrs Mildmay.
+
+And a fortnight or so later came another, which threw great excitement
+into the house in St Wilfred's Place, where the children were doing
+their best to give something of a festive and country look to the rather
+dark rooms with the help of plenty of holly and mistletoe, which had
+come in a Christmas hamper from Robin Redbreast, by Lady Myrtle's
+orders, though she was no longer there. For by this time it was
+Christmas Eve.
+
+This new letter was from abroad. The old lady was already settled in her
+winter quarters. Which of the many southern resorts she had chosen
+matters little, as it is no part of this simple story to describe
+continental towns or foreign travel. And in this particular case there
+would be little interest in either, seeing that these places are so well
+known nowadays to the mass of English folk of the well-to-do classes,
+that accounts of them are pretty sure to be monotonous repetitions. We
+will call the spot selected 'Basse.'
+
+Lady Myrtle wrote cheerfully. She was better, and she was enjoying, as
+old people learn to do, the chastened pleasure of recalling happy days
+in the scenes she was now revisiting.
+
+'It is all wonderfully little changed,' she wrote. 'I drive along the
+same roads, and walk slowly up and down the same terraces, where Lady
+Jacinth and I used to talk together by the hour in our light-hearted
+girlhood. I even fancy I recognise some of the shops we pass, for I am
+able to stroll about the quieter streets a little with the help of my
+good Clayton's arm. I have actually done a little shopping, the results
+of which will, I trust, please you, trifling as they are. I am sending
+off a little box by the Globe Express, which will, I hope, reach you by
+Christmas Day. And now, dear Eugenia, for the point of my letter. It is
+Clayton's idea; she burst out with it the other day when we were busy
+about this same shopping. "Oh, my lady, if only Miss Jacinth--Miss
+Mildmay I should say--were here it would be nice! She's just the young
+lady to enjoy the change and not mind the quiet life, and she _would_
+brighten you up." So will you spare her to me for the three or four
+months I shall be here? I hesitate to ask it; you will miss her so. But
+I am emboldened by the belief that it might be for the dear child's own
+good. She could have excellent lessons of any or every kind, and some
+amount of French talking, as I have a few old French friends in the
+neighbourhood, near enough to spend a day with now and then. Her father
+would bring her out, and, for my sake, I trust, not grudge the time and
+fatigue. The whole expenses you would surely let me defray? You cannot
+be hard-hearted enough to refuse _this_, dearest Eugenia.'
+
+Mrs Mildmay thought it over and talked it over with her husband: then
+they laid it before Jacinth herself, giving her indeed the letter itself
+to read. Jacinth's face crimsoned with pleasure and excitement, and her
+eyes glistened. But in a moment or two they grew dewy.
+
+'Oh, mamma,' she exclaimed, 'it would be delightful. But--I cannot bear
+to think of leaving you for so long.'
+
+These were sweet and grateful words to the mother's ears. But, as ever,
+she took the cheerful and sensible view of the matter. The separation
+would be but a short one, and it might really be of great advantage to
+Jacinth. Besides which--and this argument, I think, had the most weight
+with them all--was it not a duty to do what they could to please their
+dear old friend?
+
+So a favourable and grateful answer was sent without much delay, and
+before the new year was many days old, Jacinth and her father found
+themselves speeding across France as fast as the _train de luxe_ could
+take them, to join Lady Myrtle in her winter home.
+
+Jacinth enjoyed it all, and there was a considerable amount of freshness
+to her in the experience, though it was not entirely unknown ground.
+For, as a young child, she had spent some time in the south of France
+with her mother on her way to England, and she had once in later years
+passed a week or two in Paris with Uncle Marmy and 'Granny.' But the
+special place which Lady Myrtle had chosen was quite new to her, and it
+had its own peculiar beauties and attractions.
+
+'Tell mamma,' she said to her father the morning before he was to leave,
+'tell dear mamma and Francie that I am as happy as I can be anywhere
+away from them. And I will work really hard at French and music, so that
+I may be able to help Francie with hers. And it will please mamma, won't
+it, papa, to hear how glad Lady Myrtle seems to have me?'
+
+'Yes, dear, I am sure it will,' said Colonel Mildmay cordially. 'I
+cannot help feeling, personally, great pleasure in having been able to
+do anything to gratify her. It was generous of her to give us the
+opportunity of doing so.'
+
+'She _is_ so generous,' said Jacinth warmly, 'so large hearted about
+everything, isn't she, papa?'
+
+'She is indeed,' her father agreed with a little sigh, 'about everything
+except _one_ thing. It is curious and sad to see how very deep down are
+her prepossessions on that subject. And I am the more hopeless about
+them, because there is really no personal vindictiveness, or even, I may
+say, prejudice mixed up with these convictions.'
+
+'It _is_ sad,' Jacinth agreed.
+
+The next morning saw Colonel Mildmay's departure for home.
+
+Then began for Jacinth a quiet, regular, but far from unenjoyable life.
+Lady Myrtle had already made inquiries about the best teachers, and such
+of these as undertook the special subjects the girl wished to give her
+time to were engaged for her. So several hours of each day were soon
+told off for lessons and preparation for them. As a rule, Lady Myrtle
+drove out in the afternoon, her young guest accompanying her, sometimes
+to pay calls to such of the visitors to the place as were old friends,
+or in some few cases new acquaintances of hers; sometimes out into the
+beautiful country in the neighbourhood, beautiful even in mid-winter,
+where the views were as varied as charming.
+
+And as a rule, between twelve and one o'clock, sometimes too in the
+afternoon if the old lady were not feeling well enough for a drive,
+Jacinth went for a brisk walk with Clayton as her duenna.
+
+It was during one of these walks that something most unexpected happened
+one day. Lady Myrtle had caught a slight cold and been forbidden to go
+out. It was a bright but somewhat treacherous day, for though the
+sunshine was warm there was a sharp, almost icy, 'under air' painfully
+perceptible in the shade.
+
+'I feel roasted and frozen at once; don't you, Clayton?' said Jacinth
+laughingly, as they crossed the road to get into the warmth, such as it
+was, again.
+
+'Yes, indeed, Miss Mildmay,' the maid agreed. 'It's a day when you need
+both a parasol and a muff together. For there is such a glare.'
+
+A glare there was, truly. Snow had been falling now and then during the
+last day or two, and though but in light and short showers, the ground
+was sufficiently frozen for it to 'lie;' so that the sunshine, not
+powerful enough to melt it, save here and there very superficially, was
+reflected from the gleaming surface with extraordinary brilliancy.
+
+'We really should have snow spectacles,' Jacinth was saying, when a
+sudden shock made her aware that in her dazzled state she had run foul
+of some one or something standing on the pathway just in front of her.
+
+'I beg your pardon,' she exclaimed instinctively, and the stranger
+turning sharply--for she had been looking in the forward
+direction--almost at the same moment made the same apology, adding
+quickly, when she heard Jacinth's English voice, 'I should not be
+blocking up the'----But her sentence was never completed. 'Oh, can it be
+you? Jacinth--Jacinth Mildmay? Is Frances here? Oh, how
+delightful.--Camilla,' as an older girl came across the road in her
+direction, 'Camilla, just fancy--this is Jacinth. I can scarcely believe
+it,' and before Jacinth had had time to say a word, she felt two
+clinging arms thrown round her neck, and kisses pressed on her burning
+cheeks, by the sweet, loving lips of Bessie Harper.
+
+The blood had rushed to Jacinth's face in a torrent, and for a moment
+she almost gasped for breath.
+
+'Bessie, Bessie dear, you are such a whirlwind. You have startled Miss
+Mildmay terribly.'
+
+'I am so sorry,' said Bessie penitently, and then at last Jacinth was
+able to answer the girl's inquiries, and explain how it had come about
+that she alone of her family was here so far from home.
+
+'And are _you_ all here?' she asked in return.
+
+'Yes,' Miss Harper answered, 'all of us except my eldest brother. The
+two others are here temporarily; the little one who is going into the
+navy got his Christmas holidays, and the other has his long leave just
+now. And my father is so wonderfully better; you heard, you saw Bessie's
+letter to Frances?' and Camilla's face grew rosy in its turn.
+
+'Oh yes,' Jacinth replied. 'We were very, very glad. Frances wrote
+almost at once.'
+
+Bessie shook her head.
+
+'I never got the letter,' she said; 'but we have missed several, I am
+afraid. We have been moving about so. Cannot you come to see us,
+Jacinth? Mother, and father too, would love to see you. We are living a
+little way out in the country at the village of St Rémi; we have got a
+dear little house there. Camilla and I came in for shopping this
+morning. Couldn't you come back with us to luncheon? We could bring you
+home this afternoon, and your maid would take back word to--to Lady
+Myrtle Goodacre.'
+
+'I am afraid I cannot,' said Jacinth, with some constraint in her voice.
+'I never go out anywhere without asking Lady Myrtle's leave.'
+
+'Of course not,' Camilla interposed. 'It would not do at all. You must
+do as you think best, Miss Mildmay, about getting permission to come to
+see us. I beg you to believe that, if you think it better not to ask
+it,' she spoke in a lowered tone, so as to be unheard by Clayton, 'we
+shall neither blame you nor misunderstand you. And now, perhaps, we had
+best not keep you waiting longer.'
+
+She held out her hand with the same quiet friendliness as appeared in
+her words; not perhaps _quite_ without a touch of dignity almost
+approaching to _hauteur_ in the pose of her pretty head as she gave the
+unasked assurance. Jacinth thanked her--what else could she do?--feeling
+curiously small. There was something refreshing in the parting hug
+which Bessie bestowed upon her, ere they separated to follow their
+respective roads, but Jacinth was very silent all the way home.
+
+'Nice young ladies,' remarked Clayton. 'They are old friends of yours,
+Miss Jacinth, no doubt?'
+
+'The younger one was at school with my sister and me,' the girl replied,
+for Clayton's position as a very old and valued servant removed all
+flavour of freedom or presumingness from her observations. 'But I
+scarcely know the older one.'
+
+And for the rest of the way home she was unusually silent. Her mind was
+hard at work. Jacinth was passing through a crisis. Should she tell Lady
+Myrtle of the Harpers being in the near neighbourhood, or should she
+not? There was no obligation upon her to do so; their name had not been
+alluded to, even if Clayton should mention to her mistress the meeting
+with the young ladies, nothing would be easier than for Jacinth to pass
+it off with some light remark. And with the temptation to act this
+negatively unfriendly part awoke again the sort of jealous irritation at
+the whole position, which she believed herself to have quite overcome.
+
+'They perfectly haunt us,' she said to herself: 'why in the world should
+they have chosen Basse out of all the quantity of places there are? And
+to think'--this was a very ugly thought--'that but for mamma they
+wouldn't have been able to come abroad at all! Why should they spoil my
+little happy time with Lady Myrtle? And very likely no good would come
+to them of my telling her that they are here. She would be sure to
+refuse to see them.'
+
+But what if it were so? Did that affect her own present duty?
+
+'It might annoy Lady Myrtle,' whispered an insidious voice; but had not
+Mrs Mildmay risked far more in her outspoken appeal, when still almost a
+stranger to her mother's friend? Would not the concealment of so simple
+a circumstance as her meeting the Harper girls be more than negative
+unfriendliness? would it not savour of want of candour and selfish
+calculation, such as in after years Jacinth would blush to remember? And
+again there sounded in her ears the old north-country woman's quaint
+words: 'It do seem to me, ma'am, as there's two kinds of honesty.'
+
+And Jacinth lifted her head and took her resolution.
+
+That afternoon there was to be no drive, as the old lady had caught a
+slight cold. And after luncheon Jacinth came and sat beside her in her
+favourite position, a low stool beside Lady Myrtle's chair, whence she
+could rest one elbow on her friend's knee and look up into her kind old
+face with the strangely familiar dark eyes, which were dearer to Robin
+Redbreast's owner than even the girl herself suspected.
+
+'I want to talk to you, dear Lady Myrtle,' she began. 'I want to tell
+you whom I met this morning,' and she related simply what had occurred.
+
+The old lady started a little as Jacinth spoke the names 'Camilla and
+Bessie Harper.' But then she answered quietly: 'It was right of you to
+tell me, dear,' she said. 'And you need not fear its annoying me. It is
+strange that they should have chosen Basse, but really it does not
+matter to us in the least. I am very glad the father is so much better.
+Now let us talk of something else, dear.'
+
+Now came the hard bit of Jacinth's task.
+
+'Dear Lady Myrtle, that isn't all; it's only the first part of what I
+have to say,' she began tremulously. 'I want to tell you _everything_,
+more even than I told mamma, for till to-day I don't think I saw it
+quite so plainly. I have not been as good and true as you have thought
+me; nothing like Frances, or mamma, of course. And I feel now that you
+must know the worst of me. I shall never be happy till you do, even
+though it is horrible to own how mean I have been.'
+
+Lady Myrtle sat silent, too bewildered at first to speak. What had come
+to Jacinth, so quiet and self-controlled as she usually was? But she
+held the girl's hand and said gently, 'Tell me anything that is on your
+mind, dear child, though I think--I cannot help thinking--that you are
+exaggerating whatever it is that you think you have done wrong.'
+
+Then out it all came: the confession that many would hardly have
+understood--would have called morbid and fanciful, perhaps. But Lady
+Myrtle's perceptions were keen, her moral ideal very high, her sympathy
+great; and she did not make the mistake of crushing back the girl's
+confidence by making light of the feelings and even actions which
+Jacinth's own conscience told her had been wrong. One thing only she
+could not resist suggesting as a touch of comfort.
+
+'I think, latterly at any rate, dear, you _were_ influenced by the fear
+of troubling me. You must allow that.'
+
+'Well, yes,' Jacinth agreed. 'But even then I should not have let even
+that make me uncandid and--and--almost plotting against them.'
+
+'No, no, dear; don't say such things of yourself. And now you may put it
+quite out of your mind for ever. You have been only too severe on
+yourself. But try to understand one thing, dear; _no_ child could be to
+me what you are. Even--even if these young people had been in happy
+relations with me, as of course, but for past miseries, might have been
+the case, they would not have been _Jacinth_.'
+
+'No; I know it is for grandmother's sake you care for me so much more
+than I deserve,' said the girl, as she wiped away her tears, 'and even
+in that way I should not have been jealous. I did not know it was
+jealousy. I have never realised before that I could be jealous. But I
+cannot put it quite off my mind till you let me feel I have done
+something to make up. Lady Myrtle, dear Lady Myrtle, _may_ I ask them to
+come to see you? I know they are longing to thank you. And oh, it would
+make me so happy!'
+
+'I will think it over, my dear,' was all Lady Myrtle would commit
+herself to. But even that was something.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+UNCLE MARMY'S GATES.
+
+
+When people really and thoroughly want to do right, and do not content
+themselves by _saying_ they want to do so, I doubt if they are ever for
+long left in perplexity. Jacinth Mildmay had found it so. She had
+courageously dismissed all the specious arguments about 'troubling Lady
+Myrtle,' 'not going out of her way to dictate to her elders,' or
+'interfering in their affairs,' and had simply and honestly done what
+her innermost conscience dictated. And now, as to how she was to act
+about and towards the Harpers, she was content to wait.
+
+But Lady Myrtle did not keep her very long in suspense. She too had put
+aside every consideration but the one--what was her duty to the Harper
+family?--and she had found solid ground.
+
+'My dear Jacinth,' she said, the second morning after the unexpected
+meeting of the former school-fellows, 'I have decided that it would be
+unkind and ungracious to keep Captain and Mrs Harper and their children
+at arm's length, if--if it would be any satisfaction to them to see me,
+as they like to think I have been of help to them. So I intend to drive
+out to St Rémi to call upon them.'
+
+Jacinth looked up with a bright smile.
+
+'I am so glad, Lady Myrtle,' she added impulsively; 'I do think you are
+so very good.'
+
+The old lady shook her head sadly.
+
+'My dear,' she said, 'the bitterest part of approaching the end of life
+is the realising how terribly, how overwhelmingly other than "good" one
+has been, and how little time remains in which to make amends. As
+regards one's self the recognising this is salutary; the more one feels
+it, the more thankful one should be. But it is about others: it is
+terrible to think of the harm one has done, the good one has left
+undone. If I had been more patient--more pitiful--more ready to make
+allowance for their strange weakness of character--with--with my poor
+brothers'----
+
+Her voice broke; the last words were almost inaudible: it was very
+wonderful for her to say so much. And a new ray of light seemed to flash
+on Jacinth's path as she listened. If such a thing were possible, if it
+could come to pass that Lady Myrtle should reinstate her nephew and his
+family in their natural place in her affection and regard, what
+happiness, what softening of past sorrows might such a change not bring
+to the sorely tried heart of her old friend. And a rush of unselfish
+enthusiasm came over the young girl.
+
+'Anything _I_ can do to further it, I shall do,' she determined, and at
+that moment died away the last fast-withering remains of jealousy in her
+heart that the Harpers might in any way replace her in Lady Myrtle's
+regard.
+
+It seemed like an encouragement--an endorsement of this secretly
+registered vow--when Lady Myrtle spoke again.
+
+'Does it make you happy, dear child, to hear what I have resolved to do?
+I hope so; for your feelings, your self-blame so honestly avowed,
+though I think you exaggerate the need of it, have helped to influence
+me. I know how bitter such self-blame may grow to be, and my darling
+Jacinth, I want to feel, when I come to die, that at least I have
+brought nothing but good into _your_ young life.'
+
+'Dear Lady Myrtle,' said Jacinth, 'what you tell me makes me happier
+than I can express; far, far happier than I have deserved to be.'
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+They went the next day. Lady Myrtle's cold was better, and for the
+season, the weather was wonderfully mild. Jacinth had hesitated about
+accompanying her old friend, but Lady Myrtle insisted upon her doing so.
+
+'It will make it far easier and less constrained for me,' she said, 'and
+considering everything it seems to me only natural.'
+
+They had luncheon early, and set off immediately after. Less than half
+an hour's drive brought them to the picturesque little village, which
+was in fact scarcely more than a suburb of the town of Basse.
+
+'Villa Malmaison' was the direction, and soon the coachman drew up at a
+gate opening on to the road, for there was no drive up to the house. The
+footman was preparing to enter, but when he came round for his
+instructions, Lady Myrtle stopped him.
+
+'No,' she said, 'you can wait here. We will get out at once.--I have a
+fancy,' she said to Jacinth, 'for going straight up to the house without
+being announced.'
+
+It was a small and simple place; a balcony ran round the ground floor,
+and there in a long chair--a deck chair--a gentleman was half lying,
+half sitting, for the day was mild, and the house had a south exposure.
+At the sound of their slow footsteps--for Lady Myrtle was feebler than
+of yore--he looked up, then rose courteously, and came forward to meet
+them. He was a tall thin man with gray hair, and with evident traces of
+delicate health and suffering upon him, and he walked lame. But his
+smile was both bright and sweet; his keen dark eyes not unlike Lady
+Myrtle's own.
+
+'Can I'----he began, for the first instant's glance revealed to him that
+the new-comers were English, but a sort of exclamation from Lady Myrtle
+arrested him.
+
+'Jacinth,' she had just whispered, and for a second she leant so heavily
+on the girl's arm that Jacinth feared she was going to faint, 'it must
+be he--my nephew--he is so, so _wonderfully_ like my father.'
+
+And before Jacinth could reply, the old lady straightened herself again,
+and drawing her arm away from her young guide, seemed to hurry forward
+with a little cry.
+
+'Are you Reginald?' she said. 'My nephew? You must be. Oh Reginald, I am
+your old Aunt Myrtle.'
+
+And then--all the plans and formalities were set at naught. The two tall
+figures enfolded each other in an embrace like that of an aged mother
+and a long absent son.
+
+'Aunt Myrtle, my dear aunt!' Jacinth heard the kind, cheery voice
+exclaim, though in accents broken by sudden emotion. 'You who have been
+so good to us, to whom I owe my life. But this--this coming yourself is
+the kindest of all.'
+
+Then Jacinth turned and fled--fled down a path leading somewhere or
+nowhere, till she found herself at the other side of the house, and ran
+full tilt against Bessie, who was coming out to see what was happening.
+For sounds carried far in the clear frosty air, and visitors were an
+event at the little St Rémi villa.
+
+'Jacinth,' she exclaimed, catching hold of the flying girl, 'what is
+it?'
+
+'Oh Bessie, it's everything--everything beautiful and wonderful. But we
+mustn't interrupt them. Take me into the house and call Camilla and your
+mother, and I'll explain it all.'
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+That was the beginning, but by no means the end. Far from it indeed. For
+even if Jacinth lives to be a very old woman, I think she will always
+look back upon the next few weeks at Basse--the weeks before the Harpers
+returned to England, which they did before the doctors considered it
+quite safe for Lady Myrtle to face the northern spring--as among the
+happiest she ever knew. There were several reasons for this. There was
+the great and unselfish pleasure of seeing the quiet restful content on
+her dear old friend's face, and knowing that in some measure she had
+been the means of bringing it there; there was the delight of writing
+home with the news of the happy state of things that had come about, and
+receiving her full meed of sympathy and appreciation from her father and
+mother and faithful little Frances; and lastly, there was the, to
+Jacinth, really new pleasure of thoroughly congenial companionship of
+her own age. For at school her habit of reserve and self-dependence had
+come in the way of her making friends, and she was so accustomed to
+taking the lead and being the elder, that she was slow to enter into the
+give and take on more or less equal ground that is an essential
+condition of pleasant and profitable intercourse between the young.
+
+And her ideal friend--much as she learned to love and esteem hearty
+generous Bessie and gentle little Margaret--Jacinth's friend of friends
+came to be Camilla, whose two or three years' seniority seemed only to
+bring them closer, for Jacinth was in many ways 'old for her age.'
+
+Yes, it was a happy time, even though now and then some twinges of
+self-reproach made Jacinth feel how little she had at one time merited
+the loving confidence with which her new friends treated her.
+
+'But that you must bear, my dear,' said Lady Myrtle, when on one or two
+occasions this feeling grew so acute that she had to express it to some
+one. 'Take it as your punishment if you think you deserve it. For it
+would be cruel to distress these candid, unselfish girls by confessions
+of ill-will or prejudice which no longer exist. For my sake, dear
+Jacinth, for my sake too, try now to "let the dead past bury its dead."'
+
+And the girl did so.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Some happy years followed this good beginning. Years not untouched by
+trouble and trials, but with an undercurrent of good. Barmettle never
+became a congenial home, but Jacinth as she grew older lost her extreme
+dislike to it, in the happiness of being all together, and knowing that
+not only was her father satisfied with his work, but that many
+opportunities for helping others were open to herself and Frances, as
+well as to their active unselfish mother.
+
+And bright holidays with Lady Myrtle, when old Robin Redbreast stretched
+his wings in some wonderful way so as to take in his kind owner's
+grand-nephews and nieces as well as the Mildmay party, went far to
+reconcile Jacinth and Frances to the gloom and chill of their home in
+the north.
+
+Perhaps Christmas was the most trying time. For a merry family party
+would have been something to look forward to at that season. But the
+dear old lady, alas! had spent her last Christmas in England that
+year--that first year at Thetford--when Jacinth and Frances and Eugene
+were her guests. For her health grew more and more fragile, and every
+season her time at Robin Redbreast had to be cut shorter and shorter,
+till at length barely six months of the twelve could be spent by her in
+England.
+
+Most winters Jacinth spent some part of with her at Basse, and sometimes
+Camilla or Bessie replaced her. One year the whole Mildmay family joined
+her for two months. So there were many pleasant mitigations of her
+enforced banishment, though it gradually became impossible for those who
+had learned to love her so dearly to blind themselves to the fact that
+the gentle old woman was not far from the end of her chequered and at
+one time lonely life.
+
+And one day in the early spring-time, when the sunshine was already warm
+and the sky already deeply blue in the genial south, when the snowdrops
+were raising their pretty timid heads in the garden at Robin Redbreast,
+and the birds were beginning to hope that the winter was over and gone,
+Lady Myrtle died. There was no one with her at the time. Captain Harper
+had left her but the week before, and Jacinth Mildmay was to have joined
+her a few days later.
+
+'If I could but have been with her, mamma,' said the girl among her
+tears.
+
+But perhaps it was better not. To some natures the sorrow of others is
+very hard to see, and I think Lady Myrtle was one of those. Jacinth was
+nineteen at the time of her old friend's death. Two years of Colonel
+Mildmay's time at Barmettle had yet to expire.
+
+'We shall miss our summers at Robin Redbreast sadly, mamma, shall we
+not?' she said one day. 'What is to be done about it? Is it to be sold,
+or are the Harpers to have it? I hope so. Does papa know?'
+
+'He has only heard about it recently,' said her mother. 'He and Captain
+Harper are Lady Myrtle's executors, but there has been a good deal of
+trouble and delay, for owing to her death having taken place abroad,
+some difficulties occurred about proving the will. But now I believe all
+is right, and your father is going to tell you about it.'
+
+At that moment the door opened and Colonel Mildmay came in. He glanced
+at his wife with a half-inquiry in his eyes when he saw that she and his
+daughter were talking seriously.
+
+'Yes,' replied Mrs Mildmay to his unspoken question, 'I was just saying
+to Jacinth that you were going to explain to her about our dear old
+friend's disposal of things.'
+
+'I happened to ask mamma if the Harpers were going to live at Robin
+Redbreast,' said Jacinth. 'Somehow I hadn't thought about it before.'
+
+'It must have been a "brain wave,"' said her father, 'for only this
+morning I decided to have a talk with you about it.'
+
+Jacinth looked up with a slight feeling of apprehension. Colonel
+Mildmay's tone was very grave. But she had no reason for misgiving: she
+knew she had never--since her eyes had been awakened to the prejudice
+and jealousy she was in danger of yielding to--never felt or expressed
+anything but sincere esteem and affection for Lady Myrtle's relations.
+
+'I don't want to hear anything in particular, papa,' she said gently,
+'but just as you like, of course. It was only,' and her voice faltered a
+little, 'the associations with Robin Redbreast. We have been so happy
+there: I shouldn't like strangers to have it.'
+
+'Strangers are not going to have it,' Colonel Mildmay replied. 'But it
+is not left to the Harpers. They did not wish it. They have no special
+liking for that neighbourhood, and it suits them far better to make
+their headquarters farther south. But I know you will be glad to hear,
+Jacinth, that their aunt has left them a most fair and equitable
+proportion of the property at her disposal. They have no cause for
+future anxiety at all. Captain Harper is more than satisfied; he had
+expected nothing of the kind, and I perfectly believe that if, as he
+says, "just a little token of her restored goodwill" had been all that
+was to come to them, he would have been content. I never met with more
+truly unworldly and unselfish people.'
+
+He stopped for a moment.
+
+'I am so glad, so very glad,' said Jacinth.
+
+'And the Elvedons too are very grateful,' continued her father, 'for
+besides what they knew was to be theirs, she has left them her town
+house--a much better one than they have had hitherto. Then her favourite
+charities have no reason to complain; she has forgotten nothing and no
+one'----
+
+Again he hesitated, and for some undefined reason Jacinth's heart began
+to beat faster.
+
+'And Robin Redbreast, my dear child; Robin Redbreast is--is to be
+yours.'
+
+'Oh, papa,' exclaimed the girl with a curious choking sensation. 'Oh,
+papa; is it right? Do you and mamma think it is?'
+
+'Yes, dear. I think it is right. It is depriving no one of anything they
+had a claim upon. For Lady Myrtle had considerable savings: some part of
+those she surely had every right to leave as her own feelings prompted.
+Some of the land is to be sold; just enough kept to make the little
+place complete of its kind and not too expensive to manage. Enough money
+will be yours--or ours--Lady Myrtle wished it to be considered our home
+in the meantime, anyway, and she has managed all so that, if or when you
+marry, a certain separation of income can be easily made--for real
+comfort without extravagance or display. And some of her private
+charities she has left in your hands, trusting to your good judgment and
+unselfishness. All has been excellently thought over and wisely
+arranged.'
+
+'Oh, papa; oh, mamma!' was still all that Jacinth could say. But after a
+moment or two she asked the question which she had so much at heart,
+'Shall we all go to live there?'
+
+'Part of the year certainly. And when my time here is out--you will be
+of age by then, Jass--perhaps I may feel that the day for taking it
+easier has come, and I may get some less onerous post nearer Thetford.
+But there is time enough for these details. Now run and tell Francie. I
+know you are longing to do so.'
+
+So the curious prevision of the future which had come over them all at
+'Uncle Marmy's gates' was actually fulfilled. And kind Uncle Marmy
+himself came home before very long to find it so.
+
+There is talk of his leaving off soldiering--he has seen some active
+service in the East of late--and taking up his abode in his own home at
+Stannesley. For he has been economical to some purpose. And Jacinth, who
+still builds castles in the air in her quiet way, has one under
+construction on the completed roof of which a flag _may_ fly some day.
+It is that the very nicest and most entirely delightful wife Marmaduke
+Denison could possibly find, were he to search all the four quarters of
+the globe, would be Camilla Harper.
+
+THE END.
+
+Edinburgh:
+Printed by W. & R. Chambers, Limited.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Robin Redbreast, by Mary Louisa Molesworth
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+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Robin Redbreast, by Mary Louisa Molesworth
+
+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: Robin Redbreast
+       A Story for Girls
+
+Author: Mary Louisa Molesworth
+
+Illustrator: Robert Barnes
+
+Release Date: July 18, 2008 [EBook #26085]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROBIN REDBREAST ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Chris Curnow, Lindy Walsh, Josephine Paolucci
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+https://www.pgdp.net.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 413px;">
+<img src="images/icover.jpg" width="413" height="600" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+<p><br /><br /></p>
+<p><a name="front" id="front"></a></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 446px;">
+<img src="images/i002.jpg" width="446" height="601" alt="The old lady tapped her stick impatiently on the hard
+gravel." title="" />
+<span class="caption">The old lady tapped her stick impatiently on the hard
+gravel.<br /><br />Page 36.</span>
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h1>ROBIN REDBREAST</h1>
+
+<h3>A STORY FOR GIRLS</h3>
+
+<h4>BY</h4>
+
+<h2>MRS MOLESWORTH</h2>
+
+<h5>AUTHOR OF 'CARROTS;' 'THE PALACE IN THE GARDEN;' 'A CHARGE FULFILLED;'
+'IMOGEN;' 'THE BEWITCHED LAMP,' etc.</h5>
+
+<h3>WITH SIX ILLUSTRATIONS BY ROBERT BARNES</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+W. &amp; R. CHAMBERS, LIMITED<br />
+LONDON AND EDINBURGH<br />
+</p>
+
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">A good old country lodge, half hid with blooms<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Of honeyed green, and quaint with straggling rooms.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i30"><span class="smcap">Leigh Hunt.</span><br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Give me simplicity, that I may know Thy ways,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Know them and practise them.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i30"><span class="smcap">George Herbert.</span><br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;">
+<img src="images/i007.jpg" width="550" height="212" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+<span class="smcap">Chapter </span>                         <span class="tocnum">Page</span><br />
+<br />
+I. THE HOUSE IN THE LANE          <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_7'>7</a></span><br />
+<br />
+II. THE OLD LADY         <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_23'>23</a></span><br />
+<br />
+III. TWO JACINTHS         <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_39'>39</a></span><br />
+<br />
+IV. A LETTER AND A DISCUSSION         <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_54'>54</a></span><br />
+<br />
+V. AN OLD STORY         <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_69'>69</a></span><br />
+<br />
+VI. BESSIE'S MISGIVINGS          <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_84'>84</a></span><br />
+<br />
+VII. AN INVITATION         <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_99'>99</a></span><br />
+<br />
+VIII. DELICATE GROUND         <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_116'>116</a></span><br />
+<br />
+IX. THE INDIAN MAIL         <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_135'>135</a></span><br />
+<br />
+X. THE HARPERS' HOME         <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_150'>150</a></span><br />
+<br />
+XI. GREAT NEWS         <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_164'>164</a></span><br />
+<br />
+XII. '"CAMILLA" AND "MARGARET," YES'         <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_181'>181</a></span><br />
+<br />
+XIII. MAMMA            <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_192'>192</a></span><br />
+<br />
+XIV. A COURAGEOUS PLEADER      <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_206'>206</a></span><br />
+<br />
+XV. LADY MYRTLE'S INTENTIONS      <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_224'>224</a></span><br />
+<br />
+XVI. A BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT      <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_239'>239</a></span><br />
+<br />
+XVII. TWO DEGREES OF HONESTY      <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_255'>255</a></span><br />
+<br />
+XVIII. I WILL THINK IT OVER      <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_270'>270</a></span><br />
+<br />
+XIX. UNCLE MARMY'S GATES      <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_281'>281</a></span><br />
+</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2>
+
+
+<p>
+THE OLD LADY TAPPED HER STICK IMPATIENTLY ON THE
+HARD GRAVEL      <span class="tocnum"><i><a href="#front">Frontispiece</a></i></span><br />
+<br />
+AND THEN FRANCES RELATED THE WHOLE, MARGARET LISTENING
+INTENTLY TILL ALMOST THE END      <span class="tocnum">Page <a href="#Page_75">75</a></span><br />
+<br />
+JACINTH'S BROWS CONTRACTED, AND THE LINES OF HER
+DELICATE FACE HARDENED, BUT SHE SAID NOTHING      <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_141'>141</a></span><br />
+<br />
+JACINTH SAT DOWN ON A STOOL AT LADY MYRTLE'S FEET
+AND LOOKED UP IN HER FACE      <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_177'>177</a></span><br />
+<br />
+'IT IS SO GOOD OF YOU, MEETING ME LIKE THIS,' THE
+YOUNGER WOMAN WHISPERED      <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_207'>207</a></span><br />
+<br />
+'AH WELL!' SAID LADY MYRTLE, 'ANOTHER DREAM VANISHED!'      <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_243'>243</a></span><br />
+</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;">
+<img src="images/i009.jpg" width="550" height="174" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p>
+<h2>ROBIN REDBREAST.</h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE HOUSE IN THE LANE.</h3>
+
+
+<p>It stood not very far from the corner&mdash;the corner where the lane turned
+off from the high-road. And it suited its name, or its name suited it.
+It was such a pretty, cosy-looking house, much larger really than it
+seemed at the first glance, for it spread out wonderfully at the back.</p>
+
+<p>It was red too&mdash;the out-jutting front, where the deep porch was, looking
+specially red, in contrast with the wings, which were entirely covered
+with ivy, while this centre was kept clear of any creepers. And high up,
+almost in the roof, two curious round windows, which caught and
+reflected the sunset glow&mdash;for the front was due west&mdash;over the top of
+the wall, itself so ivy grown that it seemed more like a hedge, might
+easily have been taken as representing two bright, watchful eyes. For
+these windows were, or always looked as if they were, spotlessly clean
+and shining.</p>
+
+<p>'What a quaint name! how uncommon and picturesque!' people used to say
+the first time they saw the house and heard what it was called. I don't
+know if it will spoil<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> the prettiness and the quaintness if I reveal its
+real origin. Not so <i>very</i> long ago, the old house was a queer, rambling
+inn, and its sign was the redbreasted bird himself; somewhere up in the
+attics, the ancient board that used to swing and creak of a windy night,
+was still hidden&mdash;it may perhaps be there to this day! And somebody (it
+does not matter who, for it was not any somebody that has to do with
+this story) took a fancy to the house&mdash;fast growing dilapidated, and in
+danger of sinking from a respectable old inn into a very undesirable
+public-house, for the coaches had left off running, and the old traffic
+was all at an end&mdash;and bought it just in time to save it from such
+degradation.</p>
+
+<p>This somebody repaired and restored it to a certain extent, and then
+sold it again. The new owner enlarged and improved it, and built the
+high wall which now looked so venerable; for already this was many, many
+years ago. The present owner of Robin Redbreast was the daughter of this
+gentleman&mdash;or nobleman rather&mdash;and she had lived in it ever since the
+death of her husband, fully twenty years ago.</p>
+
+<p>She was an old woman now. Her name was Lady Myrtle Goodacre. The
+Goodacres, her husband's family, belonged to a distant county, and when
+<i>her</i> Mr Goodacre died, her connection with his part of the country
+seemed to cease, for she had no children, and her thoughts turned to the
+neighbourhood of her own old home, and the pretty quaint house not very
+far from it, which had been left her by her father, the late earl. And
+thither she came. But she was not exactly a sociable old lady, and few
+of the Thetford people knew her. So that there grew to be a slight
+flavour of mystery about Robin Redbreast.</p>
+
+<p>The lane was about three-quarters of a mile from the little town of
+Thetford. Not that it was a little town in its own<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> estimation; like
+many small things, it thought itself decidedly important. It was a
+pleasant, healthy place, and of late years it had wakened up a good deal
+in some directions, of which education was one, so that several families
+with boys and girls in want of schooling came and settled there. For the
+grammar-school was now prospering under an excellent and energetic
+head-master, and there was talk of a high-school for girls.</p>
+
+<p>But this latter institution was still in the clouds or the air, and so
+far, the girls of Thetford families had to content themselves with the
+teaching to be obtained at two steady-going, somewhat old-fashioned
+private schools, of which the respective heads were, oddly enough, the
+Misses Scarlett and the Misses Green. There were three Misses Scarlett
+and two Misses Green (I fear they were more often described as 'The Miss
+Scarletts' and 'The Miss Greens'), and all five were ladies of most
+estimable character.</p>
+
+<p>There was no rivalry between the two schools. Each had and held its own
+place and line. Ivy Lodge and Brook Bank were perfectly distinct, so
+distinct that neither trod on the other's toes. The former, that
+presided over by the Scarlett sisters, was recognisedly for the
+daughters of the Thetford upper ten thousand; Brook Bank existed for the
+little maidens belonging to the shopkeepers and small farmers of and
+near the town. Nowadays a high-school would ignore such distinctions and
+absorb them all&mdash;whether for better or worse is a matter of opinion. But
+as things were, I don't think any harm came from the division of
+classes; thanks in great measure, very probably, to the good sense and
+feeling of the heads of the two schools. On the rare occasions on which
+the Misses Scarlett met the Misses Green&mdash;at great parish entertainments
+or fancy fairs&mdash;the latter<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> gave precedence to the former with ready and
+smiling deference, sure to be graciously acknowledged by old
+white-haired Miss Scarlett with a kindly hand-shake or 'Many thanks,
+Miss Green;' the younger sisters following suit. For the Scarletts were
+well-born, much better born, indeed, than some of their pupils, and the
+Greens had got themselves educated with difficulty, and in their present
+position were higher on the social ladder than any of their progenitors
+had ever been&mdash;higher socially and more successful practically than they
+themselves had in past days dared to hope to be. Financially speaking,
+it was well known in Thetford that the Greens had made a much better
+thing of their school than the Scarletts. The Scarletts were inclined to
+be too liberal and too generous. Their boarders were in many instances
+the children of former friends or connections, who found it convenient
+to trade upon such ties when the questions and difficulties of education
+arose, and to suggest that <i>their</i> daughters might be taken on a
+different footing.</p>
+
+<p>In a side-street running out of the market-place stood a few well-built,
+old, red-brick houses, which were considered among the 'best' residences
+in Thetford. No two of them were exactly alike: some were nearly twice
+as large as the others; one was high and narrow, its neighbour short and
+broad. They were only alike in this, that they all opened straight on to
+the wide pavement, and had walled-in, sunny gardens at the back.</p>
+
+<p>In one of the smaller of these houses&mdash;a prim, thin-looking house, too
+tall for its breadth&mdash;lived a maiden lady, well known by some of the
+Thetford folk, not indeed <i>unknown</i> to any, for she had made her home in
+the town for many years. Her name was Miss Mildmay, or to be quite
+correct,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> Miss Alison Mildmay. For the actual Miss Mildmay was her
+niece, a very young girl whom you will hear more about presently.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Alison Mildmay was a very old friend of the Misses Scarlett.</p>
+
+<p>At Number 9 Market Square Place&mdash;that was the name of the short row of
+houses I have described&mdash;some six months or so before the date at which
+I think this story may really be said to begin, there had been an
+arrival one evening.</p>
+
+<p>It was late October: the days were drawing in; it was almost dark when
+the fly from the two-miles-off railway station&mdash;I should have explained
+that there was no station at Thetford; the inhabitants had petitioned
+against the railway coming near them, and now their children had to
+suffer the inconvenience of this shortsightedness as best they
+might&mdash;drew up at Miss Mildmay's door, and out of it stepped four
+people&mdash;three children, and a young man scarcely more than a boy. There
+were two girls, looking about twelve and fourteen, a little fellow of
+six or seven, and the young man.</p>
+
+<p>They were all in mourning, and they were all very silent, though in the
+momentary delay before the door was opened, the eldest member of the
+party found time to whisper to the girls a word or two of encouragement.</p>
+
+<p>'Try to be cheery, darlings,' he said. 'There's nothing to be afraid of,
+you know.'</p>
+
+<p>'I'm not afraid, Uncle Marmy,' replied the elder; 'I'm only <i>awfully</i>
+dull. If&mdash;oh, if Francie and I were old enough for you to be going to
+take us out to papa and mamma. Oh, if only'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Hush,' whispered Uncle Marmy. He looked young to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> be an uncle, younger
+still to be, as he was, a full-fledged lieutenant in the 200th. 'Hush,
+dear,' as the door opened.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Mildmay was at home&mdash;it would have been strange had she not been
+so, considering that she had known for quite a week the exact day and
+hour at which her guests were expected. But it would have seemed less
+strange and more natural had she been there in the hall, hurrying
+forward to meet them, instead of waiting, to all appearance calmly
+enough, in the long bare drawing-room, into which the parlour-maid at
+once ushered them. She was a small woman, neat and pleasing in
+appearance, and her manner was sufficiently cordial as she came forward;
+though the reverse of demonstrative, it was dry rather than cold.</p>
+
+<p>'You are very punctual,' she said as she kissed the children and shook
+hands with their young escort, saying as she did so, 'Mr Denison, I
+presume?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' he replied; adding in a cheerful tone, 'it is a case of
+introducing ourselves all round. You have never seen my&mdash;"our" I may
+say&mdash;nieces and nephew before?'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' said Miss Mildmay. 'I am a very, an exceedingly busy person, and I
+rarely leave home, and never have visitors. So, though my brother's
+children have been so many years in England, they might have been as
+many more without our meeting, but for&mdash;these unforeseen circumstances.'</p>
+
+<p>It seemed as if some less vague expression had been on her lips, but
+glancing round, she had caught sight of a tremulous flutter amidst the
+black garments of the two girls seated beside her&mdash;the elder stretching
+out her hand to clasp her sister's. Miss Alison Mildmay dreaded 'scenes'
+of all things; possibly, too, she felt conscious that her words sounded
+harsh. For she added quickly, 'Of course, I don't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> count these young
+folk as visitors. I hope they will very soon feel quite at home here,
+and no doubt we shall fall into each other's ways nicely.'</p>
+
+<p>The little speech cost her an effort; but she was rewarded for it.
+Marmaduke Denison could not restrain an audible sigh of relief.</p>
+
+<p>'Thank you,' he said, with what sounded almost exaggerated fervour,
+'thank you so much. It is&mdash;it has been very good of you to&mdash;to arrange
+as you have done. I assure you my sister and Mildmay appreciate it
+thoroughly.'</p>
+
+<p>A shade of stiffness returned again to her manner.</p>
+
+<p>'I quite understand my brother,' she said coldly. And though Uncle Marmy
+was too deeply in earnest to mind the snub, he wished he had answered
+less effusively.</p>
+
+<p>'Do you think Eugene is like his father?' he said quietly, drawing
+forward the little fellow, who had been standing somewhat in the
+background.</p>
+
+<p>The aunt's face softened again. And truly the boy was a pleasant object
+for her eyes to rest upon. He was very fair as to hair and complexion,
+though his eyes were dark and wistful; he was an extremely pretty child.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' she said more cordially than she had yet spoken. 'He is like
+Frank, but he has his mother's eyes.'</p>
+
+<p>Again the feeling of relief stole over the young man.</p>
+
+<p>'She can't be so cold as she seems,' he reflected. 'I fancy I could get
+on with her, and I daresay Francie and Eugene will. It is Jacinth I am
+anxious about.' And he glanced at the elder girl, as the thought passed
+through his mind. So far neither she nor her sister had spoken. Jacinth
+sat there with a grave, almost expressionless face, her lips compressed
+in a way which her uncle knew well. And suddenly he became aware of a
+curious thing. It almost made him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> smile. This was an undoubted
+resemblance between his elder niece and her aunt!</p>
+
+<p>'I wonder how that will work,' he thought. 'I wonder if it is only
+superficial or if it goes deeper? If so, I hope poor Jass will have a
+wider life than has evidently fallen to the lot of this good lady.' And
+then, as it struck him that they were all sitting silent in most
+constrained discomfort, he thrust aside his reflections and forced his
+attention to return to the present.</p>
+
+<p>'Perhaps I had better be looking up my quarters at the inn,' he said,
+rising. 'I found I could get up to town practically almost as early by
+the morning's express as by a night train. So if you will allow me, Miss
+Mildmay, I will look in first thing to-morrow for another glimpse of
+these little people.'</p>
+
+<p>'But you will return to dine&mdash;at least not to dine, but&mdash;well, call it
+high tea or supper, whichever you like,' said his hostess, cordially.
+'Unless, of course, you prefer'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Marmaduke stood irresolute. He was desperately afraid of annoying Miss
+Mildmay.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh no, of course not,' he began, 'but I'm'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>A sudden impulse seized Jacinth. She felt as if she must do
+something&mdash;if she sat still a moment longer she would burst into tears.
+She sprang to her feet and caught her uncle's arm. 'Oh, <i>do</i> come back,
+Marmy,' she said. 'You don't know.&mdash;Aunt Alison, do say he must.'</p>
+
+<p>'Of course he must,' said Miss Mildmay. 'I am not going out this evening
+as I usually do. I have given myself a holiday in honour of your
+arrival, so pray come back as soon as you have ordered your room at the
+<i>Swan</i>, Mr Denison,' And Marmaduke smilingly consented.</p>
+
+<p>This little incident seemed to have thawed them all.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'I will show you your rooms now,' said Miss Mildmay, when, the young man
+had gone. 'You two girls are to be together of course, and Eugene's
+little room is on the next floor.'</p>
+
+<p>Eugene, who was following with his sister Frances, whose hand he held,
+here squeezed it while he looked up in her face with anxiety.</p>
+
+<p>'Never mind,' she whispered. 'It's quite a little house compared to
+granny's, Eugene. You can't be far away. Very likely you'll be just
+overhead, and so if you want us in the night you can knock on the
+floor.'</p>
+
+<p>This seemed to satisfy the child, and the sight of his room, which
+though small was bright and cheerful, went still further to reassure
+him.</p>
+
+<p>'It will be nice to have a room of my own,' he said bravely. 'At
+granny's I slept in the night nursery with nurse.'</p>
+
+<p>'But you're a big boy now, you know,' said Jacinth, hastily, as if
+afraid of her aunt thinking him babyish.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, of course,' agreed Miss Mildmay. 'I cannot promise you that you
+will find everything here the same as at your poor grandmother's. You
+always called her your grandmother, I suppose,' she went on, turning to
+Jacinth, 'though she was not really any blood relation.'</p>
+
+<p>The girl's lip quivered, but she controlled herself. 'We&mdash;we never
+thought about that,' she said. 'And then, of course, she was Uncle
+Manny's own mother, and we are so <i>very</i> fond of him.'</p>
+
+<p>'Ah! he seems a nice young fellow, but so very young, and Mrs Denison
+was quite elderly. But she was more than middle-aged when she married,
+of course,' said Miss Mildmay.</p>
+
+<p>There was a slight, almost indescribable tone of condescension<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> or
+disparagement in her voice, the reason of which I will explain. Both the
+girls were conscious of it, but it affected them in different ways.</p>
+
+<p>'Ye&mdash;es,' began Jacinth, hesitatingly, 'I know'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>But Frances here broke in eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>'You are not explaining it properly to Aunt Alison, Jacinth. You know
+you're not. It wasn't only or principally for Uncle Marmy's sake that we
+loved dear granny. She was as sweet and good to us as she could be, and
+I'd have loved her awfully if she hadn't been&mdash;been any relation&mdash;at
+all;' but here the little girl ignominiously burst into tears.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Mildmay the elder glanced at her with scant sympathy.</p>
+
+<p>'I suppose she is over-tired, poor child,' she said to Jacinth. 'I will
+leave you to take off your things. Come down as soon as you can; you
+will feel better when you have had something to eat;' and she turned to
+go. They were standing in the girls' own room. But at the door she
+paused a moment. 'Shall I send up Phebe?' she said. 'That is the young
+girl I have engaged to wait upon you three. No, perhaps,' as her eyes
+fell on the still weeping Frances, 'it would be better to wait a little.
+Just take off your outdoor things. The trunks will be brought up while
+we are at tea, and then Phebe can begin to unpack.'</p>
+
+<p>She was scarcely out of hearing when Jacinth turned upon her sister.
+'I'm ashamed of you, Frances,' she said. 'Crying and sobbing like that,
+when you can see Aunt Alison isn't the sort of person to have any
+patience with silliness! Such a beginning to have made! And it isn't as
+if it was really about&mdash;about poor granny.' Here it must be owned her
+voice faltered. 'It was just that you were vexed with me.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Well, and if I was,' replied Frances, drying her eyes and swallowing
+down her sobs. 'I don't like you to speak coldly of granny, for you did
+love her in your heart, I know, dearly. Aunt Alison looks down upon her,
+just because she wasn't quite&mdash;no, she <i>was</i> quite a lady&mdash;but because
+she wasn't at all grand. And there's some excuse for her, because she
+didn't know her. But for us it would be <i>too</i> horrid, when she was so
+good to us, even all those years she was so suffering and feeble. And
+then, for Uncle Manny's sake too.'</p>
+
+<p>'There now,' said Jacinth, not sorry to turn aside the reproach which
+conscience told her she had merited. 'You are saying the very thing you
+blamed me for&mdash;but truly, Francie, I didn't mean anything not nice to
+dear granny. I felt that Aunt Alison couldn't <i>understand</i> what she was;
+and&mdash;and&mdash;it was no use seeming to take up the cudgels for our other
+relations the moment we came.'</p>
+
+<p>There was something in this, and no doubt a reluctance to discuss their
+grandmother with a stranger, and a prejudiced stranger, had mingled with
+Jacinth's desire to propitiate her aunt. So the sisters kissed and made
+friends, and when a few minutes afterwards they went down-stairs, and Mr
+Denison made his appearance again, the traces of tears had all but
+vanished from Frances's fair face.</p>
+
+<p>The two girls had been five years in England, little Eugene three; and
+during all these years, owing to exceptional circumstances and unlucky
+coincidences, they had never seen their parents. Nor was there any
+prospect of their doing so for three or four years to come. All this
+time had been spent under the care of their mother's step-mother, Mrs
+Denison, whose recent death had thrown them again, in a sense, on the
+world, and the best Colonel Mildmay could arrange for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> them was the
+somewhat unwilling guardianship of his elder sister Alison. She was an
+honourable and well-meaning woman, who had found her own sphere in
+active good works among the poor of Thetford. But she did not understand
+or care for children, and the charge of her nieces and nephew she only
+accepted as a duty.</p>
+
+<p>'I will do my best,' she wrote to the parents in India, 'but I dare not
+promise that it will be all you could wish. Still there are undoubtedly
+advantages here, in the way of schools, and the place is healthy. I will
+give what time I can to the children, but I cannot give up all my
+present responsibilities and occupations. You would not expect it. I
+fear the children may find my rules strict, for&mdash;owing to Mrs Denison's
+long ill-health and peculiarly gentle character&mdash;I think it scarcely to
+be expected that they are not somewhat spoilt.'</p>
+
+<p>She was right. It scarcely <i>was</i> to be expected. It was marvellous that
+the girls and their little brother were not more 'spoilt.' Mrs Denison
+adored them, and could see no fault in them. Nor was she in any sense a
+clever or strong-minded woman. Of inferior birth to her late
+husband&mdash;the daughter of merely the village doctor&mdash;she had married him
+when she was nearly forty, making the kindest of stepmothers to his only
+child, now Mrs Mildmay; loving her in no sense less devotedly than she
+loved her own son, Marmaduke, the child of Mr Denison's old age&mdash;the
+Uncle Marmy, who was more like an elder brother than an uncle to the
+little trio sent home to his mother's care.</p>
+
+<p>But Mrs Denison was so essentially <i>good</i>, so single-minded and
+truthful, that her influence, even her too great unselfishness for their
+sake, had not radically injured her grandchildren. Her death had been
+preceded by a slow and gradual decline&mdash;none<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> of those about her
+suspected the extent of the sufferings she hid so resolutely under a
+calm and cheerful exterior&mdash;and the end came gently with no bitterness
+or shock. Even to Marmaduke, though he loved her devotedly, she had
+seemed more like a grandmother than a mother, and her gradual enforced
+withdrawal from the family life had prepared him and the girls for what
+had to be.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps the full realisation of their loss only came home to them, when
+the question of where they were all to go was decided by a letter from
+Colonel Mildmay, telling of his arrangement with his sister, and by
+Marmaduke's receiving orders to start almost at once for India.</p>
+
+<p>'I'm glad they didn't come before,' he said. 'If only I could take you
+all out with me;' for his regiment was that of his brother-in-law.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes indeed&mdash;if only!' said Jacinth, as she said again that first
+evening at Thetford.</p>
+
+<p>Stannesley, the Denisons' old home, was to be let. Though not a very
+large place, it was expensive to keep up, and Marmaduke was somewhat
+short of ready money, and not as yet ambitious of the quiet life of a
+country squire. His father had been easy-going, his mother no specially
+endowed woman of business; things had suffered, and rents had gone down.
+It would need some years' economy before the young man could retire to
+live in the old liberal way. But he did not mind; the world was before
+him, and he loved his profession.</p>
+
+<p>That first evening in Market Square Place passed on the whole more
+cheerfully than might have been expected. Miss Mildmay was practically
+kind&mdash;more self-denying than her guests realised, for out of
+consideration for them, she had renounced attendance that evening at a
+committee meeting of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> which she was the ruling spirit, and those who
+knew her well would have seen that to sit for two or three hours 'with
+her hands before her,' in her drawing-room, made her feel sadly like a
+fish out of water.</p>
+
+<p>But the four new-comers were too preoccupied to observe her
+restlessness; the younger ones were tired too, and anxious for them to
+feel as cheerful as possible the next day, their uncle left early,
+advising Miss Mildmay to send them all off to bed.</p>
+
+<p>'I am not leaving till twelve o'clock after all,' he said, 'so, if you
+have no objection I'll call in about half-past ten, and take these three
+young people a walk. I'd like to see something of Thetford: its looks so
+pretty.'</p>
+
+<p>It was something to look forward to&mdash;another glimpse of the dear kind
+boyish face. And with the thought of the next morning's walk together,
+in their mind, the girls went to bed, and got up in good time for their
+aunt's early breakfast, trying to look and feel as cheerful as they
+could.</p>
+
+<p>Marmaduke was more than punctual. It was barely ten o'clock when he rang
+at the door and came in briskly, saying it was such a lovely day he had
+thought it a pity to lose any of it.</p>
+
+<p>It could not be anything but a sad walk, though they all tried to
+pretend it was not, and Uncle Marmy talked very fast and made all sorts
+of jokes, which Jacinth and Frances saw through, though they made Eugene
+laugh.</p>
+
+<p>'Thetford's a very pretty place, really,' said Jacinth. 'There are
+lovely walks on every side, I should think. Do you suppose we shall go
+walks with the girls at our school, Uncle Marmy, or by ourselves with
+Phebe?'</p>
+
+<p>'By yourselves, I should think. You are only to be at school till one
+o'clock,' he replied.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Oh, that will be much nicer,' said both the girls; 'we shall explore
+the neighbourhood. Oh what a pretty lane!' for they were just then
+passing Robin Redbreast corner. 'Do let us go down it a little way,
+uncle,' added Frances, 'I see what looks like a gate into a garden.'</p>
+
+<p>And a moment or two later, the four stood, breathless with admiration,
+in front of the great gates in the high ivy-covered wall I have
+described.</p>
+
+<p>The clear spring sunshine was falling brightly on the quaint old house;
+what of the garden could be seen was exquisitely neat and trim; Robin
+Redbreast was looking charming.</p>
+
+<p>'What a <i>delicious</i> old house!' said Jacinth. 'I wonder who lives here?'
+and she gave a little sigh. 'Now, Uncle Marmy, wouldn't it be perfectly
+lovely if papa's time was out, and he and mamma had come home and we
+were all going to live here&mdash;just <i>fancy</i>!'</p>
+
+<p>'It's awfully pretty,' said Marmaduke, 'but when your father's time's up
+I want you all to come back to live at Stannesley with me.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth laughed.</p>
+
+<p>'No, that wouldn't do,' she said. 'You'd be getting married. No, it
+would be much the nicest for us to live here and you at Stannesley, and
+for us to pay each other lovely visits. Of course we'd always be
+together at Christmas and times like that. And your wife must be very,
+<i>very</i> nice&mdash;like a sort of elder sister to us, you know, and'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'My darlings,' said poor Marmy, to whom it had suddenly occurred to look
+at his watch, 'time's up&mdash;or just about it. We must hurry back.'</p>
+
+<p>'Let's say good-bye here,' said Frances. 'Let's kiss you here, darling
+uncle, not before Aunt Alison in her drawing-room. And, oh, I <i>will</i> try
+not to cry.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>So it came to pass that almost their first memory of their new home was
+associated for the three children with Robin Redbreast, the old house in
+the lane. Often as they passed it, it always brought back to them Uncle
+Marmy's sunburnt face and kind eyes, and again they seemed to hear his
+'Good-bye, my darlings, good-bye,' which he strove hard to utter without
+letting them hear the break in his usually hearty and cheery voice.</p>
+
+<p>Half-an-hour later he was gone.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;">
+<img src="images/i024.jpg" width="250" height="116" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;">
+<img src="images/i025.jpg" width="550" height="136" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE OLD LADY.</h3>
+
+
+<p>It was six months now since the arrival at the house in Market Square
+Place. Mr Denison had been long with the regiment at&mdash;&mdash;No, it does not
+specially matter where it was in India. The sisters got letters from
+him, as well as from their mother, by almost every mail, and in each he
+repeated the same thing&mdash;that he had never in his life found himself a
+person of so much consequence as Colonel and Mrs Mildmay considered him,
+seeing that he could give them direct news and description of their
+three children. And on their side, this seemed to make their parents
+more real and to draw them nearer to Jacinth and Frances, increasing
+more and more the intense longing for their return.</p>
+
+<p>It is autumn, a pleasant season in this part of the country&mdash;really
+pleasanter perhaps, though one is reluctant to allow it, than the
+lovely, fascinating, capriciously joyous spring&mdash;and it is a Friday.
+Jacinth and Frances Mildmay are walking home from school, carrying their
+little bag of books. For Saturday is a whole holiday&mdash;no going to school
+that is to say&mdash;so, naturally, some lessons must be learnt at home for
+Monday.</p>
+
+<p>'Aren't you glad to think to-morrow's Saturday, Jass?' said Frances. 'If
+only Aunt Alison would let us stay in bed half-an-hour later on Saturday
+mornings, it <i>would</i> be nice.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'You lazy little thing!' said Jacinth, 'no, I don't think it would be
+nice at all. I'd rather get up even earlier than usual on a holiday, and
+feel we have the whole long day before us. It's one of the things I
+admire Aunt Alison for&mdash;that she's so punctual and regular; we'd <i>never</i>
+have been in time at school every morning, Francie, if our home had
+still been at poor granny's.'</p>
+
+<p>'I don't like you to say "poor" granny,' said Frances, rather irritably.
+'Say "dear" granny. And Jacinth, whether it's true or not that in some
+ways we were rather spoilt and&mdash;and&mdash;not methodical and all that, at
+Stannesley, I wish you'd <i>never</i> say it to Aunt Alison. She's quite
+ready enough to be down on all the ways there.'</p>
+
+<p>'If ever I've said anything of the kind,' said Jacinth, 'it's only been
+as a sort of excuse for <i>you</i>; for you know, Frances, you were
+dreadfully unpunctual and careless in little ways when we first came,
+though I do think you're getting better.'</p>
+
+<p>'Much obliged,' said Frances, rather snappishly, for she was a
+quick-tempered girl. 'It's no thanks to Aunt Alison if I am. It's simply
+that I see it is right to try and be more careful, and&mdash;partly too for
+your sake, Jass. But it isn't for love of Aunt Alison. I don't love her.
+I'd have&mdash;what wouldn't I have done for granny or Uncle Marmy?&mdash;they
+loved us and Aunt Alison doesn't. She's good, in one way I daresay she's
+very good, but it's all duty. Why, just think how she leaves us to
+ourselves, once she's ordered our meals and told us what we are to do.
+Evening after evening we're alone. <i>That</i>'s not loving us.'</p>
+
+<p>'I think you should be very glad indeed that she trusts us,' said
+Jacinth. 'It's much better as it is than to have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> her fussing after us
+out of duty, as you say. It would be very uncomfortable for us to feel
+that she was always thinking we interrupted all the things she has to
+do. She told me a while ago that it was the greatest possible relief to
+her to find she <i>could</i> trust us, and that having us interfered with her
+life much less than she expected.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, <i>I</i> don't want any more of her,' said Frances hastily. 'Don't think
+that. But you must allow it's scarcely like having a home; sometimes I
+really think I would rather be boarders at school, do you know, Jass? It
+would be a good deal jollier. Don't you think so?'</p>
+
+<p>'No, indeed,' said Jacinth, very decidedly. 'I certainly wouldn't like
+it at all. School's all very well for lessons, but I should hate to be
+so tied up. I like being independent. Of course Aunt Alison knows we're
+to be trusted, but if we were at school we should have to ask leave for
+every single thing we wanted to do. And think of poor little Eugene
+without us.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, it was only an idea,' said Frances. 'I didn't really mean it
+seriously. But I like some of the girls very much, especially the
+Harpers; don't you like the Harpers exceedingly, Jass? I've liked school
+itself ever so much better since the two younger ones came. Of course
+Camilla Harper wasn't much good to us, as she was quite one of the
+biggest ones. But I think they're all nice. I <i>love</i> Bessie and
+Margaret.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' her sister agreed. 'I think they're very nice. But they're rather
+babyish; you see they've always lived at home, and never had to depend
+on themselves at all. I think they're not at all rich.'</p>
+
+<p>'That makes them all the nicer, <i>I</i> think,' said Frances. 'I don't know
+if it's always the way, but it certainly is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> at school&mdash;the richest
+girls aren't nearly as nice as some of the others.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, that's nonsense,' said Jacinth. 'It may just happen that some of
+those we know to be richer are&mdash;well, rather commoner&mdash;but you can't
+make any rule about it.'</p>
+
+<p>'I wish Aunt Alison would let us ask the Harpers to tea, sometimes,'
+said Frances. 'I'm almost sure Miss Scarlett would let them come.'</p>
+
+<p>'But I'm <i>more</i> sure that Aunt Alison wouldn't like anything of the
+kind,' said Jacinth, and even she sighed a little. 'So it's no use
+thinking of it. I hope you're prepared for a good long walk this
+afternoon, Francie. It's a lovely day, and we've been so little out
+lately. We needn't do our lessons till to-morrow. Ah, there's Eugene!'
+as at that moment the boy came flying down the street to meet them. 'How
+have you got on to-day, old man?' she said, fondly. 'Would you like to
+go a good long walk this afternoon?'</p>
+
+<p>Eugene went to a small boys' school, a few doors only from his aunt's.
+He was certainly the least to be pitied in the children's somewhat
+lonely life, for his sisters were devoted to him, and their affection
+made up to him for the absence of other love. Yet this sounds too severe
+on Miss Mildmay, who in her own undemonstrative way <i>did</i> love her
+nephew and nieces. But she had mapped out her life on lines independent
+of home ties, and she had not the breadth and nobility of nature to
+recognise that the charge unexpectedly laid upon her was as much a
+heaven-sent mission as the labours among the poor, which she fulfilled
+with such devotion and enthusiastic self-denial. Her 'duty,' her dry
+duty, she performed to the children, but it never entered her mind or
+imagination that more than this could, under the circumstances, be
+demanded of her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Oh yes,' Eugene replied. 'I'm game for as many miles as you girls, any
+way.'</p>
+
+<p>His sisters burst out laughing. Their seven-years' old brother was
+developing fast.</p>
+
+<p>'Where shall we go to, then?' said Jacinth, as they rang at their own
+door. 'I hope Phebe will be "game" too, Eugene, for we can't go without
+her, and she doesn't love very long walks.'</p>
+
+<p>But Phebe proved to be in an unusually enterprising mood. She was a very
+good-natured girl, honest and well-principled, her only important fault
+being laziness, which her young charges did their best to conceal from
+Miss Mildmay.</p>
+
+<p>'Aunt Alison would <i>certainly</i> send her away, if she knew how late Phebe
+sometimes calls us in the morning,' Jacinth used to say. 'There's
+nothing that would vex her more than laziness, and it is very tiresome.
+But then, very likely, she'd get us some prim maid that would be
+ill-natured and crabbed, and perhaps not <i>really</i> as good as Phebe.'</p>
+
+<p>So, though they shook the terrors of a probable dismissal over the
+delinquent's head, they made no further complaint. And every time Phebe
+had been specially in fault, she was so exceedingly penitent that she
+almost persuaded her young mistresses as well as herself that it would
+never happen again.</p>
+
+<p>She had been very late that Friday morning, and in consequence was now
+doubly on the alert. Not only did she profess herself equal to walking
+ten miles if the young ladies wished it, but she undertook to carry
+Master Eugene pick-a-back, should he feel tired, a proposal which did
+not find favour in Master Eugene's eyes, though her next suggestion that
+she should escort the party to a lovely wood<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> they had not yet visited,
+'round by Aldersmere' was received with acclamations.</p>
+
+<p>'We've always wanted to go along the Aldersmere road,' said Frances.
+'You remember, Jass, we went a tiny bit up it that morning&mdash;that first
+morning with dear old Marmy.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' said Jacinth, with a sigh, 'that first and last day.'</p>
+
+<p>'Is it the way along by Uncle Marmy's gates?' asked Eugene.</p>
+
+<p>Phebe did not understand him, but Jacinth explained.</p>
+
+<p>'He means past that lovely old house, Robin Redbreast, you know,' she
+said.</p>
+
+<p>'We could come home by that lane; we can get into it by the other end
+and come out at Robin Redbreast corner on to the high-road,' said Phebe;
+'it's a very pretty way indeed, though it's a long walk,' her voice
+sounding rather doleful.</p>
+
+<p>'Phebe's thinking better of it,' said Frances laughing. 'Ah well, if you
+don't want to go a long walk, you'd better tell Aunt Alison that you
+can't stand the hard work here&mdash;so late in bed, and up so <i>dreadfully</i>
+early in the morning.'</p>
+
+<p>The maid's face flushed scarlet.</p>
+
+<p>'Miss Frances!' she began reproachfully.</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth looked annoyed. In spite of her defence of her aunt's system and
+her own love of independence and self-confidence, she did feel conscious
+that the three of them were left in some ways too much to themselves:
+her sister's tone was not quite what a young lady's should be in
+speaking to a servant.</p>
+
+<p>'Frances,' she said. 'I think it's very bad taste to joke about serious
+things, and being too late nearly every morning is a serious thing.'</p>
+
+<p>'I wasn't joking,' Frances replied.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Well, say no more about it. We'd better start if we're going to. Phebe,
+do you think there's any chance of cook's giving us some cake, or even
+some bread-and-butter, to take with us?'</p>
+
+<p>Phebe shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>'I'm afraid not, Miss Jacinth,' she replied. 'She'd only complain to
+Miss Mildmay; it's best not to ask.'</p>
+
+<p>'And I really can't afford any more pennies for buns,' said Jacinth. 'We
+must trust to getting a good tea when we come home.'</p>
+
+<p>'Will Aunt Alison be in for tea?' said Frances. 'Oh no&mdash;it's Friday. I
+forgot,' with a distinct note of satisfaction in her voice.</p>
+
+<p>'So there'll be nobody to say we're greedy if we do eat a great lot,'
+said Eugene, with satisfaction still less disguised.</p>
+
+<p>Friday was one of Miss Alison Mildmay's busiest days, as she went out
+immediately after breakfast and did not return till the children were
+about going to bed. They had had dinner by themselves, and were now in
+the little room, half schoolroom, half nursery, appropriated to their
+use, on the same floor as the sisters' bedroom.</p>
+
+<p>'Do let us go,' said Jacinth, impatiently, 'and don't even talk of being
+greedy, Eugene; it's not nice.'</p>
+
+<p>Notwithstanding these little elements of discord before they started,
+the walk turned out a great success. It was a delicious day, to begin
+with, and lovely autumn weather is no doubt more soothing in its effect
+on both old and young than that of any other season. The little party
+stepped out bravely; the four miles to Aldersmere seemed only half the
+real distance, and the place itself, when they reached it, would have
+rewarded a much greater amount of exertion.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It was a little lake, lying in a hollow; the trees, from which came its
+name, growing almost into the water. There was a curious charm about the
+intense loneliness of the place, none the less that it was not actually
+very far removed from the haunts of men. The pool was said in the
+neighbourhood to be exceedingly deep, and the dark still water looked
+mysterious enough to be so; but then this is said of every pond or lake
+of romantic appearance in all parts of the country, just as every
+tumble-down ruin or gloomy deserted house is sure to have the name of
+being haunted.</p>
+
+<p>At one side there was a little clearing and a tempting stretch of
+velvety-looking grass, disfigured, however, by blackened patches where
+gipsy-fires, amateur or professional, had recently been lighted.</p>
+
+<p>'It would be a jolly place for a picnic,' said Frances. 'I wonder if
+it's picnickers who've been here, or gipsies.'</p>
+
+<p>'Real gipsies choose opener places generally,' said Jacinth. 'Still this
+would be a very cosy place in hot weather, but I suspect it's only been
+picnics. Let's remember it for next summer, Francie, and try to coax
+Aunt Alison to let us bring our dinner or at least our tea with us one
+nice hot day.'</p>
+
+<p>'It wouldn't be much fun all by ourselves,' said Frances. 'If we could
+ask the Harpers to come too some holiday, <i>that</i> would be fun.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh how you tease about the Harpers!' replied Jacinth impatiently. 'I
+daresay you'll have quarrelled with them long before next summer, as you
+did with the Beckinghams.'</p>
+
+<p>'Jacinth, it's very unkind of you to say that,' said Frances,
+indignantly. 'I <i>didn't</i> quarrel with the Beckinghams, only you wouldn't
+have had me stand Priscilla saying that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> papa and mamma can't care for
+us much if they leave us all these years without troubling to come home
+to see us.'</p>
+
+<p>'It was very impertinent,' said the elder sister, 'but I think you make
+friends too quickly. You told Priscilla Beckingham our whole history
+almost the first day we were at school. None of the girls would say such
+a thing as that to <i>me</i>.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances was on the brink of a still more indignant reply, when
+Phebe&mdash;one of whose best points was a very sweet temper, which made her
+always ready to avert a storm if she could&mdash;broke in, just in time.</p>
+
+<p>'Miss Jacinth,' she said, 'I think we should be turning towards home.
+We've been here longer than you'd think, and Master Eugene will be
+getting tired.'</p>
+
+<p>'I'm not a bit tired,' said the little boy, 'but I'll tell you what I
+am, or what I'm going to be, and that's awfully nungry. Talking of
+bringing our dinner or tea out with us next summer has put it into my
+head. If even I'd a bit of bread, I'd eat it.'</p>
+
+<p>'Come on, then,' said Jacinth, encouragingly, 'the sooner we go, the
+sooner we'll be home. And we can have tea the minute we get in, can't
+we, Phebe, even if it's not quite five o'clock.'</p>
+
+<p>'Certainly, miss, I don't think there'll be any difficulty about that,'
+said Phebe, who was pretty well persuaded in her own mind that it would
+be quite the orthodox tea-time before they could reach Market Square
+Place.</p>
+
+<p>The first part of the way was pleasant walking, even though they were
+beginning to be just a little tired, for it was over level ground; but
+the next two miles were stiffer, for they were almost entirely up-hill,
+which had naturally made<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> the outstart down-hill, an easy commencement
+of the expedition.</p>
+
+<p>Eugene was soon rather done up, though he would not hear of Phebe's
+carrying him.</p>
+
+<p>'If it wasn't so climby, I wouldn't mind,' he said, 'but my legs does
+get so tired of always shortening themselves up.'</p>
+
+<p>'Never mind, Master Eugene,' said the maid; 'we'll be at the back end of
+the Redbreast Lane, directly, and after that, there's no more climbing.'</p>
+
+<p>'And once there we shall be less than a mile from home,' said Jacinth.
+'Oh Francie, do you remember how nice it was at Stannesley with the old
+donkey, whenever we were going a long walk?'</p>
+
+<p>'And granny watching for us at home with tea in her own sitting-room for
+a treat, and those <i>exquisite</i> little scones,' said Frances. 'Oh don't
+speak of it.'</p>
+
+<p>'No, please don't,' said Eugene, 'for it makes me nungrier and nungrier.
+And&mdash;I'm afraid I'm beginning to be <i>firsty</i> too, and that's worser than
+being nungry. It always says so in shipwreck stories. They read us one
+at school the other day, and it said so.'</p>
+
+<p>'Eugene, how silly you are!' said Frances, 'as if your feeling a little
+hungry and a tiny atom thirsty could compare with dreadful sufferings
+like sailors have.'</p>
+
+<p>'And really, Eugene, considering you're past seven, you should try to
+speak better,' added Jacinth. 'I hope you don't say "nungry and firsty"
+at school. How they must laugh at you!'</p>
+
+<p>'They don't then,' said the little boy, 'and they don't need to. I'm
+very pertickler at school, and I always say 'ungry and wursty properly.
+But it's a great trouble to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> remember, and I like a rest from being
+pertickler at home. You needn't be so cross. Why, there's a boy at
+school, older than me, who calls the sun the "fun"&mdash;he does really.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well, I know papa and mamma would like you to speak well,' said
+Jacinth, 'so you should try for their sake. "Ungry" is worse than
+"nungry"; you mustn't get into the way of dropping your "h's," whatever
+you do. That matters more than baby talking; it's <i>vulgar</i>.'</p>
+
+<p>'It's very unkind of you to call me vulgar,' said Eugene, in a very
+plaintive voice, 'and I'll tell you what, Jass, I'm getting <i>so</i>
+fir&mdash;wursty, I mean, that I just can't go all the way back wifout a
+drink.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth and Frances looked about them in despair; Eugene was a very good
+little fellow generally, but he was rather delicate and nervous, and
+notwithstanding the dignity of his seven years, they knew by experience
+that once he was fairly started on a fit of crying, it was far from easy
+to predict when it would be over. They were now in the long lane known
+as Robin Redbreast Lane, or the Redbreast Lane; another quarter of a
+mile at most would bring them out on to the high-road, where they were
+at no great distance from Thetford.</p>
+
+<p>'I'm afraid it's been too long a walk for him,' said Jacinth. 'It's such
+a pity, for it's so good for him to have a nice country walk, now that
+he goes to school every day.'</p>
+
+<p>'I'm not tired,' said Eugene, 'I'm only firsty now; I can wait for being
+nungry till tea-time, quite well, but I must have somefin to drink.'</p>
+
+<p>'Is there any cottage along this lane, that we could ask for a glass of
+water at?' Jacinth inquired of Phebe.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But the girl shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>'There's no cottage nor house of any kind between this and the
+high-road, except the Robin Redbreast itself,' said she. 'And that's not
+a place where one could ask for a glass of water even. The old lady's
+very stiff in her ways, and the servants are just the same.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh no,' said Jacinth, 'of course it wouldn't do to ask for anything at
+a <i>gentleman's</i> house. You must just bear it, Eugene dear, and perhaps
+we'll pass some cottage when we leave the lane; though I'm not very fond
+of drinking water at any cottage&mdash;one's never sure of its being good.'</p>
+
+<p>'There's the drinking fountain just outside the town; I daresay Master
+Eugene can get along till we come to that,' said Phebe, encouragingly.</p>
+
+<p>And for a few moments nothing more was heard of the little boy's woes.
+He plodded along silently, till just as they were approaching 'Uncle
+Marmy's gate' as they called it, he burst out again.</p>
+
+<p>'I <i>must</i> have a drink, Jass. I tell you I must. Let me go and ask for
+one at this house. It wouldn't be naughty. I <i>can't</i> go any furder.'</p>
+
+<p>The girls hesitated. It went very much against the grain with them&mdash;with
+Jacinth especially&mdash;to let the boy go up to the front door of this
+strange house to ask for the boon of even a glass of water. And yet it
+wouldn't do to let him go to the back-door, 'as if we were beggars,'
+said Frances.</p>
+
+<p>'Would it be better to send Phebe? Well, perhaps that would be best.
+Phebe, will you go with Master Eugene&mdash;to the front door? But Eugene,
+you are really very tiresome,' said the elder girl.</p>
+
+<p>'I <i>must</i> have a drink, Jacinth. It's not my fault. I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> can't help being
+firsty,' said the boy, in his doleful tone. 'If you say I mustn't, I'll
+<i>try</i> to bear it, but'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>At this moment an unexpected turn was given to the state of affairs by
+the gate, a few feet in front of them, being pushed open, to allow some
+one to come out.</p>
+
+<p>The sound interrupted the children's discussion; they all looked towards
+the gate.</p>
+
+<p>The 'some one' was an elderly, more correctly speaking, perhaps, an old
+lady. She was not <i>very</i> tall, but she was thin, and, considering her
+years, wonderfully erect. As she stood there at the gate, her thick
+black silk skirt trailing a little, a large fleecy white shawl thrown
+round her head and shoulders&mdash;her bright dark eyes glancing out all the
+darker and brighter from the contrast with her snowy hair and
+draperies&mdash;she looked both striking and stately. Not a person to take
+liberties with, assuredly.</p>
+
+<p>Phebe shook in her shoes. As I have said, there was a considerable
+amount of awe felt in Thetford for the somewhat mysterious inhabitant of
+Robin Redbreast, and Phebe was a Thetford girl.</p>
+
+<p>As for the young Mildmays, they stood motionless, not overawed, but both
+impressed and startled, gazing at the unexpected apparition in a way
+which Jacinth afterwards hoped to herself had not seemed like ill-bred
+staring.</p>
+
+<p>But the lady was looking at them too. She had a stick in her hand&mdash;a
+polished black-wood stick, with a gold knob at the top&mdash;and for the
+first moment or two she stood as if leaning on it. Then she raised it
+with a little gesture, as if inviting them to come nearer.</p>
+
+<p>'What was that name I heard you say just now?' she began. 'I heard you
+from the other side of my garden-wall. I have quick ears, though I am
+old.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The mention of ears was unfortunate. Somehow it recalled the story of
+Red Riding-hood and her grandmother to Eugene; tired and excited
+already, he grew perfectly white and caught hold of his elder sister's
+dress. And for a moment or two the presence of mind of the whole party
+seemed to have deserted them. No one spoke.</p>
+
+<p>The old lady tapped her stick impatiently on the hard gravel.</p>
+
+<p>'Don't you understand me?' she said. 'You were talking fast enough just
+now. The little boy was complaining of being thirsty. I think it was he
+that said the&mdash;the name. What is the matter with him? does he think I am
+going to eat him?'</p>
+
+<p>This last was addressed to Frances, now standing a little in front of
+the others, partly with an instinct of coming between the terrified
+little boy and those keen, searching eyes.</p>
+
+<p>'My brother is very tired&mdash;and very thirsty,' she said. 'It was he that
+was speaking, and I daresay he said our names. Mine is Frances, but my
+sister's is Jacinth. Perhaps you heard that name: it is very uncommon.'</p>
+
+<p>'Jacinth!' repeated the old lady, '<i>Jacinth!</i>'</p>
+
+<p>Her voice sounded far away and dreamy. A queer feeling came over the two
+girls, as if by a strange chance they had strayed unawares into some
+secret chamber, some long-closed deserted house; or as if a vague
+momentary glimpse into some long-ago story, some old romance, of the
+distant past had been suddenly opened to them.</p>
+
+<p>They could not themselves have put this feeling into words; it came to
+them, I think, in the subtle way in which sometimes we are conscious of
+the unexpressed emotions and sensations of those near us. Nevertheless
+they stood silent,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> surprised and almost awe-struck. Then the old lady
+seemed to rouse herself: with a little effort she came back into the
+present, as it were.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' she said, 'that was the name I heard. Are you Jacinth?' she went
+on, addressing the elder girl, and as she fixed her eyes on Jacinth, a
+little tremor passed over her. 'I think,' she whispered to herself, but
+the children caught the words, 'I think&mdash;I wonder if it is fancy&mdash;I
+almost think I see a likeness.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth was tall and well grown for her age. She was not <i>pretty</i>&mdash;not
+as pretty as fair, fluffy-haired Frances&mdash;but there was promise of more
+than prettiness in her almost severely regular features, and her
+colouring when one examined her carefully, was good too. Her hair a rich
+dark brown, of a shade one hardly does justice to at the first careless
+glance; her complexion healthily pale, with a tinge of sun-burning,
+perhaps a few freckles; her eyes clear, strong, hazel eyes, with long
+softening lashes. The whole was spoilt by a want of light&mdash;of the
+sunshine one loves to see in a young face&mdash;the expression was too grave
+and impassive; there was the suggestion of future hardness, unless time
+should mellow instead of stiffening and accentuating the already
+somewhat rigid lines.</p>
+
+<p>It must have been this expression, more than any actual resemblance in
+feature, which had made Marmaduke Denison smile to himself at the
+curious likeness which had struck him between Jacinth and her Aunt
+Alison.</p>
+
+<p>The girl looked up in the old lady's face, and something&mdash;the oddity of
+the whole situation, some indefinite sympathy which unconsciously sought
+for an outlet&mdash;made her smile. Jacinth's smile was charming. Already to
+her thin young face it gave the roundness and bloom it wanted&mdash;every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span>
+feature softened and the clear observant eyes grew sweet.</p>
+
+<p>A faint flush&mdash;the mere suggestion of colour which in the aged often
+denotes intense emotion&mdash;rose to Lady Myrtle Goodacre's face, as she met
+Jacinth's smile. She scarcely waited for the girl's reply to her
+question.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' she went on, 'it must be. I cannot be mistaken. My dear,' she
+added, 'I want to ask you several things, but this poor little fellow is
+tired&mdash;and thirsty, didn't you say? Will you come in for a moment or
+two? Not farther than the porch, if you prefer; perhaps you are in haste
+to get home, and I must see you again.'</p>
+
+<p>She turned and walked quickly back towards the house&mdash;the door of which
+stood open&mdash;along the straight smooth gravel path leading from the gate;
+the children following her, without seeming quite to know why, and Phebe
+bringing up the rear with a face which looked as if she were doubting
+whether they were about to enter an ogre's castle or a white cats'
+palace.</p>
+
+<p>'Miss Jacinth, Miss Frances,' she panted in vague remonstrance. But they
+took no notice.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 273px;">
+<img src="images/i040.jpg" width="273" height="75" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;">
+<img src="images/i041.jpg" width="550" height="135" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<h3>TWO JACINTHS.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The porch was almost like a room. It had cushioned seats all round, a
+rustic table at one side, and stained glass, tiny-paned windows. The old
+lady hurried through it, looking back over her shoulder to say, 'Sit
+down for a minute or two. I will order some milk for the little boy,'
+and nothing loth, the children did so, though in silence.</p>
+
+<p>Then Eugene glanced round in triumph.</p>
+
+<p>'There now,' he said, 'you see I was right. She doesn't mind a bit. I
+shouldn't wonder if she brought us out cakes too.'</p>
+
+<p>'<i>Hush</i>,' said Frances, 'you needn't talk like that, Eugene. You were as
+frightened as anything when she first came out. And how can you be so
+greedy?'</p>
+
+<p>'Hush,' said Jacinth in her turn, and still more authoritatively. 'Don't
+you hear? she's coming back.'</p>
+
+<p>The door standing slightly ajar was pushed open more widely, disclosing
+a trim-looking maid, carrying a tray with a large glass jug full of
+milk, and&mdash;joyful sight!&mdash;a plate of small brown crisp-looking cakes.
+Eugene's eyes glistened, though, poor little chap, it was more at the
+sight of the milk than the cakes, for he was very thirsty indeed. But he
+sat still, to outward appearance patiently enough, for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> just behind the
+maid came the old lady again, looking quite eager and excited, a bright
+spot of colour on each cheek.</p>
+
+<p>'Put the tray on the little table,' she said. 'Yes, that will do. You
+need not stay;' and the trim maid disappeared again.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle poured out a glass of milk and gave it to Eugene.</p>
+
+<p>'Your sisters will excuse my attending to you first, I am sure,' she
+said. 'You are very thirsty, I know.&mdash;Now, will you two have some milk
+and some cake?' she went on, turning to Jacinth and Frances.</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth felt half inclined to refuse, but something in the old lady's
+manner made it difficult to do so. She did not seem accustomed to have
+even her suggestions disregarded, and her invitation was more like a
+command.</p>
+
+<p>'After your brother has finished his milk,' their hostess went on,
+'perhaps he would like to walk about the garden a little with your maid,
+or if he is tired, there is a nice arbour over there in the corner. I
+want to speak to you two a little. I have some questions to ask you, but
+I want you to understand that I will not invite you to come in till you
+have got leave from&mdash;from your parents or your guardians. When I was a
+child I would not have entered any stranger's house without leave, and I
+approve of strict ways of bringing up children.'</p>
+
+<p>The girls listened respectfully, making a little sign of assent. But
+Eugene's whole attention had been given to the milk and cakes. Now that
+his thirst was satisfied, he began to think about others, and for the
+first time found his voice.</p>
+
+<p>'Mayn't Phebe have some milk and cake, too, please?'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> he said. 'We've
+been a drefful long walk. I'm sure Phebe's firsty too.'</p>
+
+<p>Phebe blushed scarlet, but in spite of her terror, her good manners&mdash;and
+she was a specially good-mannered girl&mdash;did not forsake her.</p>
+
+<p>'Master Eugene, my dear,' she said quietly. 'You forget I am not a
+little young gentleman like you.&mdash;If I might take his glass and plate to
+the arbour, my lady, he would be very happy, and out of the way.'</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle smiled benignly. She liked 'tact.'</p>
+
+<p>'Certainly, my good girl,' she said, 'and take a glass and some cakes
+for yourself too.&mdash;That is a nice-mannered girl,' she added to Jacinth
+and Frances. 'She is both modest and sensible.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' said Jacinth, 'we like her very much. Aunt Alison got her for us
+before we came here.'</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle's face grew grave.</p>
+
+<p>'Is Aunt Alison the relation you live with?' she asked. 'Is her name Mrs
+Alison? And where and with whom did you live before? Have you no
+parents? I am not asking out of curiosity, but because I think you must
+be related to a very dear friend of mine&mdash;now dead.' Here her breath
+seemed to catch her voice. 'I may be mistaken, but I do not think so.'</p>
+
+<p>'Our parents are in India,' said Jacinth. 'Our father is Colonel
+Mildmay, and Aunt Alison is his sister. Alison is her first name. We
+have only lived with her since our&mdash;grandmother, Mrs Denison, died.'</p>
+
+<p>'<i>Denison!</i>' repeated Lady Myrtle, 'I was sure of it. But <i>Mrs</i> Denison?
+I cannot understand it. Are you not making a mistake, my dear? Are you
+sure that your grandmother was <i>Mrs</i> Denison? Was she not'&mdash;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span>&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Mrs Denison was only our <i>step</i>-grandmother,' interrupted Jacinth,
+eagerly. Frances could not blame her now for explaining this! 'She was
+very good to us, but&mdash;she wasn't our own grandmother. <i>She</i> died before
+we were born. She was mamma's mother, and I am called after her. She was
+Lady Jacinth Denison, and'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'I knew it,' exclaimed the old lady. 'And her name before she was
+married was'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth hesitated a little. It is sometimes rather confusing to remember
+relations so far back.</p>
+
+<p>'I know,' said Frances; 'it was More'&mdash;&mdash;but here she too stopped.</p>
+
+<p>'Moreland?' said Lady Myrtle.</p>
+
+<p>The girls' faces cleared. Yes, that was it.</p>
+
+<p>'But the Christian name&mdash;"Jacinth"&mdash;satisfied me,' said the old lady.
+'The name, and your face, my dear,' to Jacinth herself. 'Thank you, for
+answering my questions. Perhaps I must not keep you any longer to-day,
+but I will write to your aunt&mdash;Miss Mildmay&mdash;Miss Alison Mildmay&mdash;I
+think I have heard of her at Thetford&mdash;and ask her to allow you to come
+to see me again very soon. If I keep you longer just now, she may be
+uneasy.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh no,' said Frances, 'she won't be at home when we get back. It's one
+of the days she's out all day&mdash;till after we're in bed, generally.'</p>
+
+<p>'Dear me!' said Lady Myrtle, 'she must be a very busy person.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' said Jacinth, 'she is. She is very, <i>very</i> useful, I know. And
+one couldn't have expected her to give up all the things she'd been at
+so many years, all of a sudden, when we came. We don't mind, except that
+it seems a little lonely sometimes; but&mdash;I don't think Aunt Alison<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>
+cares much for children or girls like us. She says she's got out of the
+way of it. But she's quite kind.'</p>
+
+<p>'You have a governess, I suppose?' asked Lady Myrtle.</p>
+
+<p>'No,' said Jacinth, 'we go every day but Saturday to Miss Scarlett's
+school.'</p>
+
+<p>She coloured a little as she said it, for she had an instinct that
+'school' for girls was hardly one of the things that her hostess had
+been accustomed to in <i>her</i> youth, and notwithstanding Jacinth's
+decision of character, she was apt to be much influenced by the opinions
+and even prejudices of those about her. But still she knew that Miss
+Scarlett's was really a somewhat exceptional school.</p>
+
+<p>'To Miss Scarlett's,' repeated Lady Myrtle. 'I have heard of it. I
+believe it is very nice, but still&mdash;I prefer home education. But perhaps
+I should not say so. No doubt your parents and guardians have acted for
+the best. I should like you to tell Miss Alison Mildmay all I have asked
+you, and I will write to her. And in the meantime, that she may not
+think me too eccentric an old woman, pray tell her that I was&mdash;that your
+own grandmother&mdash;I like you to call her that&mdash;Lady Jacinth Moreland,
+afterwards Lady Jacinth Denison, and I, were the&mdash;yes, the very dearest
+of friends when we were young. It is possible that Miss Alison Mildmay
+may have heard my name from your mother. I think your mother&mdash;what is
+her name&mdash;"Eugenia," oh yes, I remember&mdash;I think your mother must have
+heard of me even in her childhood. My unmarried name was Harper, "Myrtle
+Harper;" your grandmother and I first took to each other, I think,
+because we had such uncommon names.'</p>
+
+<p>'Harper!' exclaimed Frances eagerly, 'there are some&mdash;what is it,
+Jacinth?&mdash;I mean Bessie and Margar'&mdash;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span>&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'We must go,' said Jacinth, getting up, as she spoke. 'Frances, will you
+call Eugene? and'&mdash;turning to her hostess, 'thank you <i>very</i> much for
+being so kind. And oh, if you will ask Aunt Alison to let us come again,
+it would be such a pleasure.'</p>
+
+<p>She raised her beautiful eyes to Lady Myrtle's face. A mist came over
+the keen bright old pair gazing at her in return. Partly perhaps to
+conceal this sudden emotion, Lady Myrtle stooped&mdash;for, tall though
+Jacinth was for her age, she was shorter than her grandmother's old
+friend&mdash;and kissed the soft up-turned cheek. 'My dear, you are <i>so</i> like
+her&mdash;my Jacinth, sometimes,' she murmured, 'that it is almost too much
+for me.'</p>
+
+<p>Then a practical thought struck her.</p>
+
+<p>'You have not told me your address at Thetford,' she said. 'I had better
+have it, though no doubt Miss Alison Mildmay is well known in the
+place.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth gave it.</p>
+
+<p>'Number 9, Market Square Place,' she said.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, I know where it is&mdash;a row of rather nice quaint old houses. Still,
+you must feel rather cooped up there sometimes, after Stannesley; was
+not that the Denisons' place? I was there once.'</p>
+
+<p>'We miss the grounds, and&mdash;yes, we miss a good many things,' said
+Jacinth simply.</p>
+
+<p>'Then I hope that Robin Redbreast will make up to you for some of them,'
+said Lady Myrtle. 'You know the name of my funny old house, I daresay?'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh yes,' said Francis, who had just rejoined them with Eugene and
+Phebe, 'we heard it the very first day. And we've always thought it
+lovely&mdash;both the house and the name. And we always pass by this way when
+we can,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> because of the gates. We call them 'Uncle Marmy's gates,' for
+it was here we said good-bye to him&mdash;good-bye <i>properly</i>, I mean.'</p>
+
+<p>'Kissing, and trying not to cry,' added Eugene, by way of explanation.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle seemed a little startled.</p>
+
+<p>'Uncle Marmy!' she repeated, 'that was your grandfather's name. I
+thought your mother was an only child.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' said Jacinth, 'Uncle Marmaduke is not our real&mdash;not our full
+uncle. He is mamma's half-brother only.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh,' exclaimed the old lady, 'now I understand.'</p>
+
+<p>'But we love him just as much&mdash;<i>quite</i> as much as if he was our whole
+uncle,' said Frances, eagerly. 'He's perfectly&mdash;oh, he's as nice as he
+can <i>possibly</i> be.'</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle smiled, and gave a little pat to Frances's shining tangle of
+curly hair.</p>
+
+<p>'Good-bye then, my dears, for to-day,' she said.</p>
+
+<p>But she stood at the gate looking after them till they reached the
+corner of the lane, when some happy impulse made
+Jacinth&mdash;undemonstrative Jacinth&mdash;turn round and kiss her hand to the
+solitary old figure.</p>
+
+<p>'She's like a sort of a grandmother to us,' said Eugene. 'What a good
+thing,' with extreme self-complacency, 'I made you go in!&mdash;what a good
+thing I was'&mdash;after a great effort&mdash;'wursty!'</p>
+
+<p>But Jacinth's face was slightly clouded. She drew Frances a little apart
+from the others.</p>
+
+<p>'Frances,' she said severely, 'you must have more sense. How could you
+begin about those girls at school?' Lady Myrtle, if she does notice us,
+won't want to hear all the chatter and gossip of Miss Scarlett's. And
+it's such a common sort of thing, the moment you hear a name, to start<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span>
+up and say "Oh, <i>I</i> know somebody called that," and then go on about
+your somebodies that no one wants to hear anything of.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances looked rather ashamed. She was barely two years younger than her
+sister, but on almost every subject&mdash;on questions of good manners and
+propriety above all&mdash;Jacinth's verdict was always accepted by her as
+infallible, though whence Jacinth had derived her knowledge on such
+points it would have been difficult to say. No one could have been less
+a woman of the world than the late Mrs Denison; indeed, the much misused
+but really sweet old word 'homely' might have been applied to her in its
+conventional sense without unkindly severity. And no life could have
+been simpler, though from that very fact not without a certain dignity
+of its own, than the family life at Stannesley, which was in reality the
+only training these girls had ever known.</p>
+
+<p>'I'm very sorry, Jass,' said the younger sister, penitently. 'It was
+only&mdash;it did seem funny that her name was Harper, when I am so fond of
+Bessie and Marg'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'I'm getting tired of your always talking of them,' said Jacinth. 'I
+daresay they're nice enough'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'And they're <i>quite</i> ladies,' interposed Frances, 'though they are so
+very poor.'</p>
+
+<p>'I wouldn't look down on them for <i>that</i>; I should think you might know
+me better,' said Jacinth. 'We're not at all rich ourselves, though I
+suppose papa and mamma seem so in India with all the parties and things
+they're obliged to have. And I never said the girls weren't "quite
+ladies," as you say. But I know how it will end: in a little while you
+won't like Bessie and Margaret any better than Prissy Beckingham. You
+fly at people so at first.'</p>
+
+<p>'I don't think it will be that way this time,' said Frances<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> in a tone
+of quiet conviction. 'There's something <i>different</i> about the Harpers.'</p>
+
+<p>'It isn't a very uncommon name,' said Jacinth. 'There are all sorts of
+Harpers. Why, at Stannesley, the village schoolmaster's wife was called
+Harper before she married, I remember. And then Lord Elvedon's family
+name is Harper.'</p>
+
+<p>They had drawn nearer to the other two by this time, and Phebe overheard
+the last words.</p>
+
+<p>'If you please, Miss Jacinth, that is Lady Myrtle's family. Her father
+was Lord Elvedon, two or three back, and the Lord Elvedon now is a
+nephew or a cousin's son to her, though they never come near the place;
+it's been let ever since I can remember.'</p>
+
+<p>'I wonder if she was brought up at Elvedon,' said Frances. 'It must seem
+rather sad to her, if she was there when she was a little girl, to have
+no one belonging to her there now.'</p>
+
+<p>Altogether the adventure&mdash;and a real adventure it was&mdash;gave them plenty
+to think of and to talk about all the way home and after they got there.
+Eugene forgot his fatigue, and chattered briskly about the goodness of
+the little brown cakes, till he got a snub from Jacinth about being so
+greedy. His appetite, however, did not seem to have suffered, and he was
+quite ready to do justice to the tea waiting for them at home, though
+not without some allusions to Lady Myrtle's delicious cakes, and wishes
+that Aunt Alison would sometimes give them 'a change from bread and
+butter.'</p>
+
+<p>For one of Miss Mildmay's fixed ideas about children was that they could
+not be brought up too plainly.</p>
+
+<p>'We do have a change sometimes,' said Jacinth. 'We always have golden
+syrup on Saturdays and jam on Sundays,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> and you know we've had buns two
+or three times on birthdays.'</p>
+
+<p>'Other children have buns and cakes far oftener than us,' said Eugene.
+'Like we used to at Stannesley.'</p>
+
+<p>'It was quite different there,' said Jacinth; 'a big country-house and
+baking at home.'</p>
+
+<p>'<i>Everything</i> was nice at Stannesley,' said Frances with a sigh. 'Granny
+and Uncle Marmy really loved us; that makes the difference.'</p>
+
+<p>'Aunt Alison loves us in her way,' said Jacinth. 'Everybody can't be the
+same. I think you're getting into a very bad habit of grumbling,
+Frances. And this afternoon you really should be pleased. For I
+shouldn't at all wonder if Lady Myrtle often asks us to go to see her,
+and that would be a treat and a change. But what you say about poor
+granny and Uncle Marmy reminds me to say something. You really needn't
+fly up so on the defensive every time I name them; you did it again
+to-day, and I'm sure Lady Myrtle must have thought it very queer, just
+as if I'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>But this second reproof for her behaviour at Robin Redbreast did not
+find Frances as meek as the former one, which, in deference to Jacinth's
+superior knowledge on such subjects, she had felt she perhaps deserved.</p>
+
+<p>'I will "fly up" as you call it,' she interrupted angrily, 'when you
+talk in that cold measured way about dear granny and Uncle Marmy, as if
+you were almost ashamed of them. For one thing I can't bear you to say
+"poor" granny; it's not right. She was a sort of a saint, and I'm quite
+sure that now she's'&mdash;&mdash;But here Frances burst into tears.</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth felt sorry, but annoyed and irritated also. She blamed herself
+for having begun any private talk of the kind before Eugene and Phebe;
+for, as sometimes happened<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> when they had come in late, Phebe was having
+tea with them this evening. And she felt conscious also of deserving, to
+a certain extent, her sister's blame. But Jacinth had a good deal of
+self-control.</p>
+
+<p>'I cannot understand,' she said quietly, though the colour rose to her
+cheeks&mdash;'I cannot understand how you can think such things of me&mdash;as if
+I&mdash;as if anybody could have loved <i>them</i> more than I did; as if'&mdash;&mdash;But
+here the tears rose to her own eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Frances was at once melted.</p>
+
+<p>'I didn't mean <i>that</i>,' she said. 'I know you did. I wouldn't love <i>you</i>
+if I didn't know it. But it's your manner; you seem in such a hurry
+always to explain that granny wasn't our own grandmother.'</p>
+
+<p>'I don't think that's fair,' said Jacinth. 'How could I possibly have
+helped explaining about it when it is <i>only</i> because of our own
+grandmother that Lady Myrtle cares anything at all about us. And I
+wasn't in a hurry to explain; don't you remember that Lady Myrtle kept
+asking if we were sure our grandmother was only <i>Mrs</i>?'</p>
+
+<p>Yes, that had been so, but still the slightly hurt feeling which
+Jacinth's tone about the dear Stannesley people had more than once given
+Frances still remained, and she might have said more, had not her sister
+prevented her doing so.</p>
+
+<p>'Anyway,' she said, 'we need not say any more about it just now.'</p>
+
+<p>After tea they got out their lesson-books, anxious to do all they could,
+so as to wake on Saturday morning with the delightful sensation of a
+real whole holiday. But their long walk, perhaps the excitement of their
+adventure, had tired them. Lessons, with Frances especially, seemed more
+difficult than usual, and after a good many yawns and not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> a few groans,
+she decided that it was no use to attempt anything calling for a 'clear
+head' that evening.</p>
+
+<p>'I'll just copy out my dictation and exercises,' she said, 'and do all
+the fresh learning to-morrow morning. Won't you do so too, Jass, for
+there are two or three things we can learn together?'</p>
+
+<p>'Very well,' said Jacinth, though with a little sigh, 'perhaps it would
+be better.'</p>
+
+<p>It was not only that she was tired&mdash;her head was full of Robin Redbreast
+and its owner, and all manner of fancies and castles in the air were
+crowding upon her. It was really so romantic, she thought; it was not
+silly to picture to herself the delightful possibilities of the future.</p>
+
+<p>'Suppose Lady Myrtle really gets very fond of us'&mdash;she said 'us,' but
+'<i>me</i>' would perhaps have been more correct, and after all this was
+scarcely unnatural, as it was she who had specially recalled the Jacinth
+Moreland of her enthusiastic youthful affection to the old
+lady&mdash;'supposing she in a sort of way adopted us&mdash;or me'&mdash;for Jacinth
+was not selfish in the common acceptation of the word, though
+self-important and fond of ruling, 'what happiness it might bring us!
+She doesn't seem to have any relations, and she must be very well off.
+Supposing she took us to live with her, and treated us just like her own
+children, I wonder if mamma wouldn't come home then, and papa too
+perhaps. For of course, if they knew we were going to be well off, papa
+wouldn't worry so about staying out in India his full time and all that.
+How I should <i>love</i> to be the one to be able to do everything for them
+all.'</p>
+
+<p>Still it would not do to begin speculating on what might happen in the
+far future when&mdash;Jacinth felt shocked when she realised that, in
+picturing herself as Lady Myrtle's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> possible heir, she was anticipating
+the old lady's death; yet she certainly could not 'fit in' the idea of
+their all living together at Robin Redbreast with its present
+ch&acirc;telaine. And she laughed at her own absurdity.</p>
+
+<p>'Papa is so independent,' she reflected. 'Even if <i>mamma</i> had a lot of
+money, I don't believe he'd be satisfied without working as hard as
+ever. And of course he loves his profession.'</p>
+
+<p>Then she determined not to be silly, and to think no more about it. But
+her dreams that night were very fantastic and rosy-hued. She awoke in
+the morning from a vision of a wonderful room of which the walls were
+painted all over with robins, which suddenly burst out singing her name,
+'Jacinth, Jacinth,' to find that Frances was awake and calling to her.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh Francie, I was having <i>such</i> an interesting dream,' she said. 'I
+wish you hadn't awakened me: I can't remember what was dreams and what
+wasn't,' she went on sleepily. 'Did we really go inside Uncle Marmy's
+gates, and see?'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Of course we did,' said Frances, 'and I've got such a good thought.
+Don't you think we might go that way again to-day and take mamma's last
+photograph with us? Lady Myrtle would be sure to like to see it, and we
+needn't ask for her, you know. And it would keep her from forgetting us,
+and anyway we might walk round the garden, I should think.'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' said Jacinth, 'we can't do anything like that without Aunt
+Alison's leave, and of course we can't ask for leave unless Lady Myrtle
+writes to Aunt Alison. And there's no telling if she will. She may be
+one of those whimsical old people that mean to do a thing, and then
+think better of it and do nothing.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Frances's face fell.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, I do hope not,' she said. 'Somehow I don't <i>think</i> she's that sort
+of old lady.'</p>
+
+<p>Nor in her heart did Jacinth. The expression of her misgivings had been
+as much or more to damp or check herself as Frances. For she was
+startled to find how wildly she had been indulging in building
+air-castles. Few, if any, even of those she had spent her life among,
+knew Jacinth Mildmay thoroughly, or had any suspicion of the
+impressionableness, the almost fantastic imagination, hidden under her
+quiet, almost cold exterior. But to some extent she knew herself better
+than is often the case at her age. She was well aware that she needed
+strict holding in hand; she sometimes even went too far in judging as
+contemptible weaknesses, feelings and impulses which were full of good.</p>
+
+<p>But as regards the fancies which since yesterday had been so absorbing
+her, she was in the right. Even apparently harmless hopes and wishes
+dependent on the caprice, or, if carried where they <i>may</i> lead to,
+contingent on the life or death of others, are better checked at once.
+Indulgence in such can do no good, and <i>may</i> do harm.</p>
+
+<p>They had not seen their aunt the night before. And her manner was
+somewhat 'carried' and preoccupied when she kissed the girls as they
+entered the dining-room, where she was already seated at the table
+waiting to read prayers.</p>
+
+<p>A slight misgiving came over Jacinth. She glanced at the sideboard where
+the morning letters were always placed. Yes, one or two torn wrappers
+were lying there: evidently the letters had come and been opened. For
+Miss Alison Mildmay was, as Frances expressed it, 'a <i>dreadfully</i> early
+getter-up,' and had always an hour or more to herself before the younger
+members of the household appeared.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>I am afraid Jacinth's attention that morning was rather distracted. She
+sat glancing at her aunt's profile, cold and almost hard, as she was
+accustomed to see it, but with just now the addition of some irritable
+lines about the forehead which were certainly not <i>always</i> there.</p>
+
+<p>'Something has vexed her, I am certain,' said Jacinth to herself. 'I do
+wonder if it has anything to do with Lady Myrtle. Oh dear, if she has
+written so as to vex Aunt Alison, and we get blamed for it, and
+everything is spoilt!'</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;">
+<img src="images/i055.jpg" width="250" height="142" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;">
+<img src="images/i056.jpg" width="550" height="138" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<h3>A LETTER AND A DISCUSSION.</h3>
+
+
+<p>'Were you very late last night, Aunt Alison? Are you tired?'</p>
+
+<p>The questions came from Frances, who had noticed the unusual silence at
+the breakfast-table&mdash;not that they were ever very loquacious, for Eugene
+had his meals up-stairs and he was the chatterbox of the party&mdash;but
+without any of her sister's fears or misgivings. So that she looked up
+at her aunt in happy freedom from any self-conscious embarrassment.</p>
+
+<p>'I was not later than I am usually on Fridays,' said Miss Mildmay. 'No,
+thank you, I am not tired. Will you have some more tea, Jacinth?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, please,' said the elder girl. She was growing more and more
+nervous, and yet her anxiety to know if Lady Myrtle really had written
+already made her remain near her aunt as long as possible.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Mildmay had apparently finished her own breakfast, for after
+handing Jacinth her cup, she took up a little pile of letters which lay
+beside her, and drew out one, which she unfolded and glanced at with a
+peculiar expression on her face.</p>
+
+<p>'Have you&mdash;have you nothing to tell me&mdash;no message to give me?' she said
+at last, still fingering the letter.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>She spoke to both girls, but it seemed to Jacinth as if her words were
+more specially addressed to her, and she started, while a flush rose to
+her face. And suddenly she remembered&mdash;or realised rather&mdash;that Lady
+Myrtle <i>had</i> given them a message for their aunt; though, oddly enough,
+in spite of her thoughts having been so much absorbed with the adventure
+of the day before, it had never once occurred to her during that silent
+breakfast that she should have spoken of it to her aunt&mdash;should, in
+fact, have related all that had passed. There had been no reason for her
+not doing so&mdash;the old lady had specially desired it&mdash;it was only that
+her strong impression that Miss Mildmay had something to say to them had
+made her wait.</p>
+
+<p>'Of course,' she exclaimed nervously. 'I really don't know what we've
+been thinking of <i>not</i> to tell you. For we <i>have</i> a message for
+you.&mdash;Frances, why didn't you remind me?'</p>
+
+<p>Frances stared. It was seldom her way to take the initiative, she was so
+accustomed to follow Jacinth's lead; and just now she had been quite
+contentedly waiting to speak of their visit to Robin Redbreast till her
+sister saw fit to do so.</p>
+
+<p>'I&mdash;I didn't know. I thought'&mdash;&mdash;began Frances confusedly.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Mildmay turned upon her sharply.</p>
+
+<p>'Have you been planning together not to speak of this&mdash;this curious
+affair to me?' she said. 'I don't pretend not to know all about it. I
+do,' and she touched the letter, 'by this, but I must say I think I
+should not have heard of it <i>first</i> from a stranger. There is one thing
+I cannot and will not stand, I warn you, girls, and that is any approach
+to want of candour.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Aunt Alison,' exclaimed Jacinth in hot indignation, 'how can you? Did
+you not hear me ask Frances why she had not reminded me to tell you?'</p>
+
+<p>'No, I cannot understand that,' said her aunt, still coldly. 'It is
+quite impossible that you had <i>forgotten</i> about it, when it only
+happened'&mdash;&mdash;She glanced at the letter and hesitated. 'When was it, it
+happened?'</p>
+
+<p>'Only yesterday,' said Jacinth quietly. 'No, <i>of course</i>, I hadn't
+forgotten. But I had forgotten that I had a message for you that I
+should have given immediately I saw you. That I <i>had</i> forgotten, and if
+you don't believe me, I can't help it.'</p>
+
+<p>Her voice choked, and the tears rushed to her eyes, though with a strong
+effort she kept them from falling.</p>
+
+<p>Frances glanced at her, her face working with sympathy.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Mildmay seemed perplexed.</p>
+
+<p>'Only yesterday!' she said. 'I don't see how I have got this letter so
+quickly. I thought it was at least the day before.'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' said Frances, 'it was only yesterday. We went a long walk in the
+afternoon, and of course we didn't see you till this morning. We
+couldn't have told you till just now, and I thought&mdash;I think&mdash;I thought
+Jass was waiting to speak to you alone after breakfast.'</p>
+
+<p>'It wasn't that,' said Jacinth. 'If you want to know exactly why I
+didn't begin about it at breakfast, Aunt Alison, it was because I had a
+sort of idea or fancy that you had heard already from Lady Myrtle. I
+thought you looked just a little annoyed, and I kept expecting you to
+say something about it, and then, of course, I would have told you
+everything there was to tell.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Miss Alison Mildmay was severe, but she was not distrustful or
+suspicious, and the candour of the two girls was unmistakable.</p>
+
+<p>'I am sorry,' she said, 'to have judged you unfairly. Tell me the whole
+story now, and then I will read you what this eccentric old lady says.'</p>
+
+<p>She smiled a little.</p>
+
+<p>'That was just what she said you'd call her,' broke in Frances. 'But she
+said her letter would make you understand.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh yes, of course it does, to a certain extent,' replied her aunt. Then
+her eyes fell on the envelope&mdash;'Miss Alison Mildmay.'</p>
+
+<p>'Considering I have lived twenty years at Thetford,' she said, rather
+bitterly, 'I think it, to say the least, unnecessary to address me like
+this, though of course I don't deny that it is, strictly speaking,
+correct.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth glanced at it.</p>
+
+<p>'I am sure'&mdash;she began. 'You don't think <i>I</i> had anything to do with
+it?'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh no, I don't suppose you ever thought of it. But Lady Myrtle Goodacre
+has never seen fit to call upon me, so it is all of a piece. I really
+must not waste any more time, however; I have a dozen things waiting for
+me to do. You say it was yesterday afternoon?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' said Jacinth. 'We went a long walk&mdash;to Aldersmere, and coming
+back, Eugene was tired and very thirsty, and he begged us to let him ask
+for a drink just as we were getting near Robin Redbreast, and the old
+lady heard us talking over the wall'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'And she heard Jass's name,' interrupted Frances, 'and'&mdash;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Let Jacinth tell it, if you please, Frances,' said Miss Mildmay.</p>
+
+<p>So Jacinth took up the story again, and related all that had happened.</p>
+
+<p>Her aunt listened attentively, her face softened.</p>
+
+<p>'I don't think I need read you what Lady Myrtle has written, after all,'
+she said, when Jacinth had finished speaking. 'I understand it well
+enough, and I have no doubt your father and mother would like you to go
+to Robin Redbreast now and then; of course, not to any extreme, or so as
+to interfere with your lessons or regular ways.'</p>
+
+<p>'Does Lady Myrtle ask you to go to see her too?' inquired Jacinth, half
+timidly.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh dear, no,' replied Miss Mildmay: 'she is straightforward enough. She
+does not pretend to want to make <i>my</i> acquaintance, and after all why
+should she? She has had plenty of time to do so if she had wished it
+during all these years; and honestly,' and here again she smiled quite
+naturally, 'I don't want to know her. I have no time for fresh
+acquaintances. And her interest in you children, Jacinth especially, has
+nothing to do with our side. It is entirely connected with the
+Morelands.'</p>
+
+<p>'I wonder how she and our grandmother came to be such friends,' said
+Jacinth. 'Lady Myrtle's old home was near here, and the Morelands didn't
+belong to this neighbourhood.'</p>
+
+<p>'No, but the Elvedons have another place in the north near your
+grandmother's old home,' said Miss Mildmay, who was very well posted up
+in such matters. 'They have never lived all the year round at Elvedon, I
+fancy, and now of course it is let.'</p>
+
+<p>'Lady Myrtle's name used to be Harper, she told us,'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> said Frances, who
+never cared to be very long left out of the conversation, 'and there are
+some girls called Harper at our school. But Jacinth says it's quite a
+common name.'</p>
+
+<p>'No, Frances, I didn't say that,' said Jacinth. 'I said it wasn't an
+<i>un</i>common name; that sounds quite different.'</p>
+
+<p>'Possibly the Harpers at Miss Scarlett's may be some
+connection&mdash;distant, probably&mdash;of the Elvedons,' said Miss Mildmay,
+carelessly. 'But of course it is not, as Jacinth says, an uncommon
+name.'</p>
+
+<p>But her remark set Frances's imagination to work.</p>
+
+<p>'They are very, <i>very</i> nice girls&mdash;the nicest at the school,' she said.
+'Their names are Bessie and Margaret. If you could only see them, Aunt
+Alison! I do <i>so</i> wish you would let us ask them to tea some Saturday.'</p>
+
+<p>'Nonsense, child,' said Miss Mildmay, impatiently. 'I cannot begin
+things of that kind, as you might understand. You have companionship at
+school, and when you are at home you must be content with your own
+society. Now you must leave me: I have to see the cook, and I have made
+myself late already.'</p>
+
+<p>'Frances,' said Jacinth on their way up-stairs to their own little
+sitting-room, 'I do think you are the <i>silliest</i> girl I ever knew. Just
+after all that discussion&mdash;and I can tell you I was shaking in my shoes
+for ever so long&mdash;just when it had ended so well, you must go and vex
+Aunt Alison by wanting to have the Harpers here at tea. I think you are
+absurd about those girls, as you always are about new friends. <i>I</i> don't
+want them here at tea, or at anything.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well, I do, then, or rather I did,' said Frances doggedly. 'That's just
+all the difference. No girls have as dull a life as we have.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'It's a very silly time for you to begin complaining, just when we have
+a chance of some amusement and change,' said Jacinth. 'I'm almost sure
+Lady Myrtle will ask us to spend the day, or something like that, very
+soon.'</p>
+
+<p>'I don't want to go. It's you she cares for, and you may keep her to
+yourself,' said Frances, waxing more and more cross. 'I wish I was a
+boarder at school. I'd like it far better than being always scolded by
+you.'</p>
+
+<p>It was not often that Frances so rebelled, or that their small squabbles
+went so nearly the length of a quarrel. But this morning there seemed
+disturbance in the air; and to add to it, when Frances had finished her
+English lessons, and was about to begin her French translation, she
+found, to her dismay, that she had forgotten to bring an important book
+home with her.</p>
+
+<p>'What <i>shall</i> I do?' she exclaimed, forgetting, in her distress, the
+unfriendly state of feeling between herself and her sister. 'I really
+must have it, or I shall miss all my marks in the French class, and you
+know, Jacinth, I had set my heart on getting the prize.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth's sympathy was aroused. She herself was in a higher class than
+her sister, but she was greatly interested in Frances's success. For
+Frances was rather a giddy little person. Till the companionship and
+emulation at school had roused her, she had never bestowed more
+attention on her lessons than was absolutely unavoidable.</p>
+
+<p>'I don't know what to do,' said the elder girl after some reflection. 'I
+don't see how you are to get the book till Monday.'</p>
+
+<p>For there was a strict rule at the school, that day-scholars were
+neither to go there nor to send messages from their homes, out of school
+hours. So that forgettings of books<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> required for preparation, or other
+carelessnesses of the kind, became serious matters.</p>
+
+<p>'If I don't get it till I go to school on Monday, I needn't get it at
+all,' said Frances. 'There's no comfort in telling me that. You know the
+class <i>is</i> on Monday morning, so I've as good as lost my chance already,
+and I needn't bother about it any more. I'll never try for a prize
+again, I know that.'</p>
+
+<p>She began to hum a tune in a would-be-indifferent, reckless way, but
+Jacinth knew that this was only bravado, and that it would be followed
+by great vexation of spirit, and she felt sorry and anxious.</p>
+
+<p>'I'll tell you what, Frances,' she said at last, after sitting for some
+time, her head resting on her hand, her own work at a standstill for the
+moment&mdash;'I'll tell you what: the only plan is this&mdash;for you to go
+straight to Miss Scarlett herself and tell her all about your having
+forgotten the book, and how anxious you are about the prize. I daresay
+she'd let you go to your shelf and fetch it; she would see you had not
+broken her rule.'</p>
+
+<p>It was a good idea, and Frances recognised this, but all the same she
+did not like it at all.</p>
+
+<p>'I'd have to go to the front-door,' she said reluctantly, as she sat
+drumming her fingers on the table, 'and I can't go alone.'</p>
+
+<p>'There's no need for you to go alone: take Phebe. Aunt Alison wouldn't
+mind your taking her in the morning for once. I'll help her to put away
+our things from the laundress, or whatever it is she's busy about. And I
+think you'd better go at once, Frances, if you're going.'</p>
+
+<p>'Aunt Alison won't be in till dinner-time, so I can't go till after
+then,' said Frances.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Yes, you can,' Jacinth persisted. 'You know you can. I undertake to put
+it all right with Aunt Alison. Do go at once. If I have half an hour
+quietly to myself, I shall have finished my lessons by the time you come
+in&mdash;it won't take you more than half an hour&mdash;and then I can help
+Phebe.'</p>
+
+<p>'If I could see Miss Marcia Scarlett I shouldn't mind so much,' next
+said Frances, still irresolutely.</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth's patience began to give way.</p>
+
+<p>'You are too bad, Frances,' she said. 'You are spoiling my work and
+losing any chance you have of getting the book. If you wait till the
+afternoon, most likely all the Miss Scarletts will be out or engaged,
+and I rather think&mdash;yes, I am sure the boarders told me that the
+school-books are locked up at noon on Saturday till Monday morning. Ask
+for Miss Marcia, if you like; you've just as good a chance of seeing her
+as the others. But you must decide. Are you going or not?'</p>
+
+<p>Frances got up slowly from her seat and moved towards the door.</p>
+
+<p>'I suppose I must,' she said in a martyrised tone. 'You do scurry one
+so, Jacinth.' And then when, having borne this certainly unmerited
+reproach in silence, Jacinth with relief heard the door close on her
+sister and began to hope she was going to have a little peace, it was
+opened again sufficiently to admit Frances's fluffy head, while she
+asked, in a half-grumbling, half-conciliatory tone, if she might take
+Eugene.</p>
+
+<p>'Of course,' said Jacinth; 'a little fresh air in the morning is always
+good for him.'</p>
+
+<p>She heard no more except, ten minutes or so later, the closing of the
+front-door, and the next three-quarters of an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> hour passed, rapidly, so
+absorbed was she in her own work, till the old church clock striking
+twelve&mdash;for St Blaise's in the Market Square was but a stone's-throw
+from Miss Mildmay's house&mdash;made her look up suddenly, and at that moment
+came a rushing of eager feet across the stone-tiled hall, quickly
+followed by Frances's voice in great excitement.</p>
+
+<p>'Jacinth, Jass!' she exclaimed, and almost before the elder girl had
+time to say to herself, 'I do hope nothing has gone wrong,' her sister's
+bright face reassured her.</p>
+
+<p>Frances was like a veritable April day&mdash;gloom and sparkle, tears and
+laughter, succeeded each other with her as swiftly as the clouds rushing
+before the wind alternately veil and reveal the sun's bright face,
+though underneath all this fitfulness and caprice lay a sturdy
+foundation of principle and loyalty which circumstances, so far, had
+scarcely brought out, and which Jacinth certainly did not as yet realise
+or appreciate.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh Jass,' exclaimed the little girl, 'I am so glad I went. <i>Such</i> a
+nice thing has happened! I saw Miss Marcia&mdash;I asked for her at the door,
+and she was crossing the hall; wasn't it lucky? She <i>was</i> so kind about
+the book, and she took me herself to the big schoolroom to fetch it.
+None of the girls were there&mdash;it looked so funny all empty, you can't
+think&mdash;they were out in the garden. And Jass, to-day they 're going to
+have their last out-of-doors tea for this year, you know, as it's
+getting cold. They have tea in the garden every fortnight all through
+the fine weather. And she invited <i>me</i>, Jass&mdash;just fancy! She said she
+was sure you wouldn't mind, as it's quite an extra thing to invite a
+day-scholar, you see, and'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Here Frances was forced to take breath, and Jacinth got a chance of
+putting in a word.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Of course I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm very glad indeed, <i>very</i> glad
+for you to have a little fun. And we couldn't have gone much of a walk
+this afternoon, as Eugene is still tired with yesterday.'</p>
+
+<p>'And you think Aunt Alison will let me go?' said Frances.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh yes, I'm sure she will. If you will get on with your lessons now,
+Frances, so as to be able to say at dinner that you have quite finished,
+I will go down-stairs and watch for Aunt Alison. She will be in by one,
+to-day, and I'll ask her for you.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh thank you, Jass,' said Frances gratefully. 'Yes, I'll hurry up.
+But&mdash;Jass'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Well?'</p>
+
+<p>Francie's face grew very grave.</p>
+
+<p>'It's about my things, Jass. What do you think I should wear? I'm so
+afraid Aunt Alison will be vexed if I put on my best things&mdash;and of
+course black frocks do get spoilt if one runs about much&mdash;and yet my
+every-day frock is so shabby now, and&mdash;I don't want the girls to think
+we're never properly dressed.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth considered. They were still in deep mourning, for Miss Mildmay's
+ideas on such subjects were 'old-fashioned,' and she quite recognised
+that the late Mrs Denison's memory should be treated with the fullest
+respect. But Jacinth sympathised with Frances's feelings.</p>
+
+<p>'I was looking at our dark-gray frocks with Phebe the other day,' she
+said. 'The ones we had new just before&mdash;before our mourning. You know
+they were got for half-mourning because of old Sir George
+Mildmay's&mdash;papa's uncle's&mdash;death, and they look quite fresh and nice. I
+don't think you've grown much, Francie&mdash;and oh, by-the-bye, I believe
+there's a tuck that could be let down.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' said Frances, 'there are little tucks&mdash;a lot&mdash;above the hem.'</p>
+
+<p>'Then I'll run up and tell Phebe to get them out, yours at least. I'll
+explain to Aunt Alison; and if I lend you my wide black sash, I'm sure
+it will look quite mourning enough.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh Jass,' exclaimed Frances, '<i>how</i> good of you!'</p>
+
+<p>The honour and glory of Jacinth's best black sash was almost too much
+for her.</p>
+
+<p>'Really, I should never be cross to Jass. She is so very, very kind and
+unselfish,' thought the grateful little girl.</p>
+
+<p>The gray frock was looked out and soon got ready. It was lying on a
+chair in the girls' room when Jacinth, a little before half-past one, at
+last heard her aunt's step in the hall, and ran forward to meet her,
+primed with her request.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Mildmay was still in a somewhat conciliatory mood, and she listened
+to Jacinth's story with as much kindliness as was in her nature to show.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' she said, 'I suppose she may as well go, though you know, my
+dear, I cannot encourage any schoolgirl friendships. It would be
+impossible for me to invite other children here, and yet I could not
+accept attentions for you which I could not return.'</p>
+
+<p>'But this is different, being at Miss Scarlett's, where we go to school.
+You didn't mind our going to the breaking-up party before the midsummer
+holiday,' said Jacinth, trembling a little at the irresolution in her
+aunt's face.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, I don't mean to stop her going,' said Miss Mildmay. 'It is very
+nice of you to be so eager for Frances to have the little pleasure. But
+just warn her, if you can, not to get too intimate with the other girls.
+It will only cause<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> trouble and annoyance. Frances is an impulsive
+little creature, but she is old enough to understand that she should be
+discreet. The worst of any girls' school, even the best, is the chatter
+and gossip that go on.'</p>
+
+<p>'I have often warned Frances about that kind of thing,' said Jacinth.
+'The girls are all very nice and lady-like, but of course we don't see
+very much of them; it is not as if we were boarders. Francie is more
+sensible about making friends than she was at first. The only two she
+really likes <i>very</i> much are the Harpers&mdash;Bessie and Margaret
+Harper&mdash;the girls she was speaking of to you.'</p>
+
+<p>'They are nice girls, I believe,' said Miss Mildmay. 'Miss Scarlett told
+me about them. I don't think we need discourage her friendship with
+them. After all, any gossip one would dislike is more probable with the
+other day-scholars, and you have not much to do with them, I think.'</p>
+
+<p>'There are so few compared with the boarders,' said Jacinth, 'and
+they're all great friends together. I don't think any of them are
+particularly interesting. Thank you so much, Aunt Alison, for letting
+Frances go. I'll run and tell her, she will be so delighted.'</p>
+
+<p>And so she was, delighted and grateful, so that she took in good part
+the little lecture Jacinth proceeded to give her in accordance with her
+aunt's wish.</p>
+
+<p>'I <i>am</i> careful, I really am, Jass,' she maintained. 'I don't care a bit
+for any of the day-scholars. They are rather common just because they
+think they're not, and they do <i>so</i> look down on Miss Green's scholars.
+It's quite absurd. The only girls I really care for are the Harpers,
+and&mdash;well, a little for Prissy Beckingham, though she's rather silly.'</p>
+
+<p>'It's the day-scholars Aunt Alison doesn't want you to be great friends
+with,' said Jacinth. 'In a little place like this,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> there's always a lot
+of chatter. She knows the Harpers are nice girls.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well, that's all I want,' said Frances, with satisfaction. 'I don't
+want a lot of friends. Bessie and Margaret are quite enough for me&mdash;and
+you, Jass. If I hadn't any one but you I should be content, especially
+when you're so very kind to me as you've been to-day.'</p>
+
+<p>And at the appointed time, Frances made her appearance dressed for her
+garden party, in great spirits, very conscious of the grand effect of
+her sister's best black silk sash.</p>
+
+<p>'And what are you going to do with yourself, Jacinth?' inquired her
+aunt, who happened to be crossing the hall at the moment that the two
+girls came running down&mdash;Frances ready to start. 'Are you and Eugene
+going a walk? or have you lessons to do still?'</p>
+
+<p>'No, I finished them all this morning, and Eugene is tired. I don't
+quite know what I'm going to do,' said Jacinth.</p>
+
+<p>She was not the least of a complaining nature; she had no thought of
+complaining just then, but as Miss Mildmay's glance fell on the young
+figure standing there so interested in her sister's pleasure, it struck
+her almost for the first time, in any thorough way, that the life with
+her here at Thetford was somewhat lonely for her nieces, and that it was
+not by any means every girl of Jacinth's age who would accommodate
+herself to it so contentedly.</p>
+
+<p>'It is always a pity when parents and children have to be separated,'
+she said to herself. 'It is unnatural. It should not have to be. From
+the effects of such a separation in my childhood, I believe I have
+suffered ever since. It made me hard and unable to understand family
+life as I might have done.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And her tone was unusually kind and gentle when she spoke again.</p>
+
+<p>'Would you care'&mdash;&mdash;she began. 'I scarcely think you would, but would
+you care to come with me for once in a way to our girls' club? I shall
+be there all the afternoon giving out the lending-library books, and a
+good many volumes need re-covering. I could find you plenty to do, and
+we can have a cup of tea there.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, I should like to come&mdash;very much,' said Jacinth, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Mildmay seemed pleased.</p>
+
+<p>'Well, I think I had better make sure of you while I can have you for
+this one Saturday afternoon,' she said. 'In future I shall not be
+surprised if you spend Saturdays often with your old lady at Robin
+Redbreast. I have written to her, Jacinth. I am just going to post the
+letter.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, thank you,' said the girl.&mdash;'Good-bye, Francie; you see I shall not
+be dull without you,' and the two kissed each other affectionately.</p>
+
+<p>Then Frances, escorted by Phebe, set off, and Jacinth ran up-stairs to
+get ready for her expedition with her aunt.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;">
+<img src="images/i070.jpg" width="250" height="52" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;">
+<img src="images/i071.jpg" width="550" height="139" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<h3>AN OLD STORY.</h3>
+
+
+<p>That Saturday afternoon passed very pleasantly for both the sisters.
+Jacinth earned her aunt's commendation by her quick neat-handedness and
+accuracy, and a modicum of praise from Miss Mildmay meant a good deal.
+The little misunderstanding of the morning, ending as it had done in
+making the aunt, an essentially just woman, blame herself for hasty
+judgment, had drawn her and her elder niece closer together than had yet
+been the case. And no doubt there was a substratum of resemblance in
+their natures, deeper and more real than the curious capricious likeness
+which had struck Marmaduke so oddly&mdash;which was indeed perhaps but a
+casual coming to the surface of a real underlying similarity.</p>
+
+<p>Things were turning out quite other than the young uncle in his anxiety
+had anticipated.</p>
+
+<p>'If fate had sent me Jacinth alone,' thought Miss Mildmay, 'I rather
+think we should have got on very well, and have fitted into each other's
+ways. There is so much more in her than in Frances. I strongly suspect,
+in spite of her looks, that Jacinth takes after our side of the
+house&mdash;she almost seems older than Eugenia in some ways&mdash;whereas
+Frances, I suppose, is her mother over again.'</p>
+
+<p>But here she checked herself. Any implied disparagement of her
+sister-in-law she did not, even in her secret thoughts,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> intend or
+encourage, for Alison Mildmay was truly and firmly attached to her
+brother's wife, widely different though their characters were.</p>
+
+<p>'Frances is really only a baby,' she went on thinking. 'There's no
+telling as yet what she will turn out.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth on her side was conscious of a good deal of congeniality between
+herself and her aunt. It was not the congeniality of affection, often
+all the stronger for a certain amount of intellectual dissimilarity, or
+differences of temperament, thus leaving scope for complementary
+qualities which love welds together and cements; it was scarcely even
+that of friendliness. It consisted in a certain satisfaction and
+approval of Miss Mildmay's ways of seeing and doing things. The girl
+felt positive pleasure in her aunt's perfect 'method;' in the clear and
+well-considered manner in which her time was mapped out; in the quick
+discrimination with which she divined what would be the right place and
+treatment for each girl in her club; even in the beautiful order of the
+book-shelves and the neat clerk-like writing of the savings-bank
+entries. It was all so complete and accurate, with no loose ends left
+about&mdash;all so perfect in its way, thought Jacinth, as she cut and folded
+and manipulated the brown paper entrusted to her charge for the books'
+new coats, rewarded by her aunt's 'Very nice&mdash;very nice indeed, my
+dear,' when it was time to go home, and she pointed out the neat little
+pile of clean tidy volumes.</p>
+
+<p>Frances on her side had enjoyed herself greatly. She was the only
+outsider, otherwise day-scholar, at the garden tea, which fact in no way
+lessened her satisfaction while it increased her importance.</p>
+
+<p>'I wish you were a boarder, Frances,' said Margaret Harper, the younger
+of her two friends, as they were walking up and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> down a shady path in
+the intervals of the games all the girls had joined in. 'Don't you? It
+would be so nice, and I am sure we should be great, <i>great</i> friends&mdash;you
+and Bessie and I.'</p>
+
+<p>'And not Jass?' said Frances. 'I shouldn't like to be a boarder unless
+Jass was too. Then, I daresay, I wouldn't mind.'</p>
+
+<p>'We'd like to be friends with Jacinth too,' said Margaret, 'but Bessie
+and I don't think she cares very much about being great friends. She
+seems so much older, though she's only a year more than Bessie, isn't
+she?'</p>
+
+<p>'She's fifteen,' said Frances. 'She is old in some ways, but still she
+and I do everything nearly together. She's very good to me. She's very
+nice about you, and I'm quite happy about having you and Bessie for my
+best friends, for Jacinth and Aunt Alison think you're the nicest girls
+here.'</p>
+
+<p>Margaret coloured with pleasure, but with some shyness too.</p>
+
+<p>'I'm glad they think we're nice,' she said; 'and I'm sure, if your aunt
+knew father and mother, they'd think we <i>should</i> be far, far better than
+we are, at least than I am. I don't think Bessie <i>could</i> be much better
+than she is. But a good many others of the girls are very nice indeed;
+they are none of them not nice, except that Prissy Beckingham talks too
+much and says rather rude things without meaning it, and Laura French
+certainly has a very bad temper. But she's always sorry for it
+afterwards. And who could be nicer than the Eves or Honor Falmouth.'</p>
+
+<p>'I don't know them much; they're too big for me, you see,' said Frances.
+'Of course I'd know them better if we were boarders. Do you like my gray
+frock, Margaret? It's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> the first day I've had on anything but black for
+such a time; it does feel so funny.'</p>
+
+<p>'I think it's very pretty, and you've got such a beautiful sash!' said
+Margaret admiringly. 'But I always think you and Jacinth are so nicely
+dressed, even though you've been in black all the time. Bessie and I
+can't have anything but very plain frocks, you know. Mother couldn't
+afford it, for we're not <i>at all</i> rich.'</p>
+
+<p>'I don't fancy we are, either,' said Frances; 'I shouldn't think papa
+would stay out in India if we were. But at Stannesley, where we lived
+before, granny always got us very nice dresses: she used often to send
+to London for them. I don't believe Aunt Alison will care so much how we
+are dressed. Do you have an allowance for your gloves, Margaret? We do.
+I got a new pair yesterday, but I'm afraid they're not very good; where
+are they, I wonder? Oh yes, here in my pocket; there are little whity
+marks in the black kid already, as if they were going to split.'</p>
+
+<p>She drew the gloves out, as she spoke, but with them came something
+else&mdash;a doubled-up, rather soiled white card.</p>
+
+<p>'What's this?' said Frances, as she unfolded it. 'Oh, I declare! Just
+look, Margaret&mdash;it's an old Christmas card of last year. I remember one
+of the children gave it me at the Sunday school, and I've never had this
+frock on since. Isn't it strange?'</p>
+
+<p>She stood looking at the card&mdash;an ordinary enough little picture of a
+robin on a bough, with 'Merry Christmas' in one corner&mdash;a mixture of
+sadness and almost reverence in her young face. 'Last Christmas' seemed
+so very long ago to Frances. And indeed, so much had happened since then
+to change things for herself and her brother and sister, that it did
+naturally seem like looking back to the other<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> side of a lifetime to
+recall the circumstances which then surrounded them. How well she
+remembered that very Sunday, the last of the old year; how they had
+chattered and laughed as they ran home over the frosty ground, and Uncle
+Marmaduke, who had just joined them, had predicted skating before the
+week was out! How tenderly granny had kissed them that night when they
+went to bed, with some little remark about the ending of the year, and
+how the next morning she was not well enough to get up, anxious though
+she was in no way to cloud or damp their enjoyment; and how the doctor
+had begun to come every day, and then&mdash;and then&mdash;&mdash;The tears started to
+Frances's eyes as she seemed to live through it all again, and for a
+moment or two she did not speak; she forgot that Margaret was standing
+beside her with sympathising face.</p>
+
+<p>'Dear Frances,' she said, 'does it remind you of something sad? Has it
+to do with when you went into mourning?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' said Frances, 'it was soon after last Christmas that granny&mdash;our
+grandmother that we lived with&mdash;got ill and died, you know, Margaret.
+It's for her we are still in mourning.'</p>
+
+<p>'And you were very fond of her, of course?' said Margaret.</p>
+
+<p>'Very, <i>very</i>,' said Frances.</p>
+
+<p>Then she almost seemed anxious to change the subject: she was afraid of
+beginning to cry, which 'before all the girls' would have certainly been
+ill-timed. And her glance fell on the card in her hand.</p>
+
+<p>'Robin Redbreast,' she said consideringly. 'Margaret, have you ever
+passed that lovely old house, down the lane on the Crickthorne Road,
+that's called "Robin Redbreast?" The bird on the card reminded me of it
+just now.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Oh yes,' said Margaret rather eagerly. 'I know it quite well. Once or
+twice Bessie and I have stood at the gate and looked in. Isn't it a
+delicious quaint old place?'</p>
+
+<p>'It's perfectly beautiful,' said Frances. 'You can't think what it looks
+like from the inside.'</p>
+
+<p>'Have you ever been inside?' questioned Margaret, evidently intensely
+interested. 'Do tell me about it.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances glanced round, as if to make sure that no one was within
+hearing, partly perhaps from a feeling that Jacinth would not have liked
+her to go 'chattering' about their yesterday's adventure, partly from a
+childish love of importance and mystery.</p>
+
+<p>'Is it anything you shouldn't tell me, perhaps?' said Margaret, with
+quick delicacy. 'Don't mind my having asked you; it wasn't&mdash;it wasn't
+exactly curiosity, Frances.'</p>
+
+<p>And Frances, glancing at her friend, saw that her face had reddened all
+over. Margaret was not a pretty child, but she was very sweet-looking,
+with honest gray eyes and smooth brown hair. Her features were good, but
+the cheeks were less round than one likes to see at her age; there was a
+rather wistful expression about the whole face, almost suggesting
+premature cares and anxiety.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh no, dear,' said Frances reassuringly. 'It's not that. It <i>was</i>
+rather queer, and you see we weren't quite sure at first how Aunt Alison
+was going to take it. And Jacinth is always rather down upon me for
+talking too much. But I know I may tell <i>you</i>, for it's quite fixed that
+you and Bessie are to be my best friends: it's the day-scholars that
+Aunt Alison doesn't want me to talk much to.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' agreed Margaret, 'I quite understand.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 438px;">
+<img src="images/i077.jpg" width="438" height="600" alt="And then Frances related the whole, Margaret listening
+intently till almost the end." title="" />
+<span class="caption">And then Frances related the whole, Margaret listening
+intently till almost the end.</span>
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>She was in a fever, poor child, and from no selfish motive assuredly, to
+hear more about the mysterious house. But she restrained herself,
+scrupulously careful in no way to force the other's confidence.</p>
+
+<p>'When I said what Robin Redbreast looked like from the inside, I meant
+from inside the gates,' began Frances, after a moment or two's
+reflection. For she was scrupulously truthful. 'I've not been inside the
+house&mdash;not farther than the porch. But the porch is like a little room,
+it <i>is</i> so pretty. I'll tell you how it all was; you may tell Bessie,
+but not any one else, because, you see, there's quite a story about it.'</p>
+
+<p>And then Frances related the whole, Margaret listening intently till
+almost the end, when the little narrator, stopping for a moment to take
+breath, after 'So you see our grandmother was her very dearest friend,
+and she really seemed as if she could scarcely bear to let Jacinth go,
+and&mdash;<i>isn't</i> it like a real story?' saw, to her surprise, that her
+hearer's face, instead of being rosier than usual, had now grown quite
+pale.</p>
+
+<p>'Why, Margaret, what's the matter? You look as if I had been telling you
+a ghost-story, you're so white,' she exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>Margaret gave a little gasp.</p>
+
+<p>'It is so strange,' she said. 'I'll tell you why it has made me feel so
+queer. Mine is a sort of a secret, Frances; at least when we came here
+to school mother told us not to talk about it. But I know I can trust
+you, and what you've told me makes it seem as if somehow&mdash;I don't know
+how to say what I mean&mdash;as if we must be a sort of relation to each
+other, from our people long ago having been such friends. For, do you
+know, Frances, Lady Myrtle Goodacre is our aunt&mdash;our great-aunt, that is
+to say&mdash;father's own aunt?'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Frances stopped short and <i>almost</i> clapped her hands.</p>
+
+<p>'There now,' she said, 'I had a feeling there was something like that. I
+<i>wish</i> Jacinth hadn't stopped my speaking of you, when Lady Myrtle told
+us her name used to be Harper.'</p>
+
+<p>'Were you going to speak of us?' asked Margaret.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, it was on the very tip of my tongue. Indeed I believe I did get as
+far as "There are some," when Jacinth stopped me. She said afterwards
+that it is "common," when any one mentions a name, to say immediately,
+"Oh, <i>I</i> know somebody called that." I don't quite see why it should be
+common; it's rather interesting, I think. Still I daresay it's true that
+common people often do speak like that, when you come to think of it.
+They've always got an aunt, or a cousin, or a friend's friend called
+so-and-so, or living somewhere, if you mention a place.'</p>
+
+<p>'I daresay they do,' said Margaret; but she seemed to be giving only
+half her attention. 'Frances,' she went on, 'I wonder what would have
+happened if you <i>had</i> spoken of us? I wonder if Lady Myrtle would have
+taken any notice?'</p>
+
+<p>Frances stared.</p>
+
+<p>'Of course she would!' she exclaimed. 'Do you mean to say she wouldn't
+have taken any notice of hearing that her own grand-nieces were so near
+her? Why, she'&mdash;&mdash;But suddenly the actual state of the case struck her.
+'Do you&mdash;does she <i>not</i> know you're here?' she went on, raising her blue
+eyes in bewilderment to Margaret's face. 'No, I suppose she doesn't, or
+of course you would be asked to Robin Redbreast on holidays and all that
+sort of thing.'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' Margaret replied, 'she doesn't know anything about us. I'm not
+even sure that she knows of our existence;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> anyway she has never heard
+our names, or how many of us there are, and I can't believe she really
+understands how&mdash;how very poor we are. For she is very, very rich, you
+know, Frances, though she lives in that quiet way.'</p>
+
+<p>'<i>Is</i> she?' said Frances. 'I do wish I had spoken of you, whether it was
+"common" or not.'</p>
+
+<p>'She mightn't have thought that we were any relation,' said Margaret,
+simply. 'Harper isn't a very particular name. And you see we're not very
+near to the head of the family now. Lord Elvedon is only father's
+cousin, and they never stay near here. Father and mother see them
+sometimes in London, but they've got a very large family, and they're
+not rich&mdash;not <i>extra</i> rich themselves; for the one before this Lord
+Elvedon, the one who was father's uncle, you see, was very extravagant,
+though it was mostly his brother's fault&mdash;that was our grandfather. His
+name was Bernard Harper, and'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'It's awfully interesting,' said Frances, 'but I'm afraid I'm getting
+rather muddled. Your <i>grandfather</i>&mdash;what was he, then, to Lady Myrtle?'</p>
+
+<p>'I'll begin at the other end,' said Margaret; 'that will make it
+plainer. There was a Lord Elvedon who had two sons and a daughter; the
+daughter was Lady Myrtle. The sons were younger than the daughter, and
+they were both extravagant. The elder one was a weaker character than
+his brother, and quite led by him, and before their father died they had
+already wasted a lot of money, and given him a great deal of trouble,
+especially Bernard, the second one. So old Lord Elvedon left all he
+<i>could</i> to his daughter, Lady Myrtle; of course the estates and a good
+deal had to go with the title, but still the new Lord Elvedon was much
+less rich than he should have been, you see, and our grandfather&mdash;that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span>
+was the son called Bernard&mdash;was really poor, and his children, our
+father and his sisters, have always been poor. Father says a good deal
+will go back to the title when Lady Myrtle dies, and she is quite
+friends with the present Lord Elvedon, her nephew. But she couldn't bear
+her brother Bernard&mdash;I believe he behaved very badly to her and to all
+his people&mdash;and she has never taken the least notice of father, though
+father is really a sort of an angel;' and Margaret's eyes glistened.
+'You know it is like that sometimes,' she went on; 'a bad father&mdash;and I
+am afraid our grandfather was a bad man, though I don't quite like
+saying it&mdash;sometimes has very good children.'</p>
+
+<p>'But Lady Myrtle <i>can't</i> know about you all&mdash;about your father
+especially,' said Frances. 'I think he should write to her, or do
+something. Very likely she's got quite wrong ideas about him.'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' said Margaret, 'she must know he is a very good man. He was in the
+army, you know, like your father, and he was very brave and did lots of
+things, but he had to leave because of a wound, when he was only a
+captain. When he and mother married he hoped to stay on till he became a
+general, and at first they weren't so badly off, for mother had some
+money. But a good deal of it was lost somehow.'</p>
+
+<p>'I do think Lady Myrtle should be told&mdash;I really do,' said Frances,
+stopping short and speaking with great energy.</p>
+
+<p>But Margaret only shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>'She does know a good deal,' she said. 'We are sure she does, for some
+years ago my aunt&mdash;that's father's only sister&mdash;the other died quite
+young&mdash;wrote to her about us. Aunt Flora isn't badly off in a way, for
+she has no children, and her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> husband is a judge in India. But she can't
+do much for us, and&mdash;you see it's her husband's money; it isn't as if it
+was a relation of <i>ours</i>.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances had never thought of things in this way; she was years and years
+younger in mind, or rather in experience and knowledge of life, than
+Margaret Harper, her junior by nearly twelve months. For Margaret with
+her older brothers and sisters had early had to face practical
+difficulties and troubles, the very existence of which was unknown to
+her young companion.</p>
+
+<p>'It's a shame&mdash;a regular shame; that's what it is!' said Frances
+vehemently, her face flushing with indignation, 'and something should be
+done.'</p>
+
+<p>Just at that moment a figure came running towards them. It was Bessie,
+the elder of the Harper girls.</p>
+
+<p>'Margaret, Frances, where have you been? what have you been doing all
+this time?' she exclaimed. 'We've had ever so many games, and now tea
+will be ready directly. What are you looking so mournful about,
+Margaret, and you so excited, Frances? You haven't&mdash;oh no, you couldn't
+have been quarrelling.'</p>
+
+<p>The smile on both faces was sufficient answer&mdash;no, certainly they had
+not been quarrelling!</p>
+
+<p>'What have you been talking about, then?' said Bessie again, and she
+looked at them with considerable curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie was two years older than her sister. She was handsomer too, and
+much stronger. There was a bright, fearless, resolute look about her,
+very attractive and prepossessing. But she was less intellectual, less
+thoughtful, more joyous and confident, though tenderly and devotedly
+unselfish to those she loved, especially to all weak and dependent
+creatures.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Margaret has been telling me <i>such</i> interesting things,' began Frances
+eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>'And Frances has been telling <i>me</i> about&mdash;about Lady Myrtle and Robin
+Redbreast. Just fancy, Bessie, they know her! She was a very, very old
+friend of their grandmother's.'</p>
+
+<p>And between them the two girls soon put the elder one in possession of
+all they had been discussing.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie Harper's bright face grew grave; she could not blame her sister
+and Frances, but still, on the whole, she almost wished the discovery
+had not been made, though 'it was bound to come some time or other, I
+suppose,' she reflected.</p>
+
+<p>'I call it a perfect shame!' said Frances, her cheeks flaming up again.
+'To think of that horrid old woman having more money than she knows what
+to do with, and keeping it all to herself, when it <i>really</i> belongs&mdash;a
+good part of it, at least&mdash;to your father.'</p>
+
+<p>'No, no,' said Bessie, 'we can't say that. Our great-grandfather had a
+right to do what he did with his money. And if he <i>had</i> left it to our
+grandfather, it would all have been wasted, most likely.'</p>
+
+<p>'If he had known how good <i>father</i> was going to be, he'd have left it to
+him, I daresay,' said Margaret.</p>
+
+<p>'He couldn't have known that,' said Bessie with a merry laugh. 'Father
+wasn't born when he died.'</p>
+
+<p>'No, but just because of that, Lady Myrtle should make up for it now,'
+said Frances. 'I daresay I shouldn't call her "horrid," and of course
+she's your aunt, and I can scarcely believe she <i>does</i> know all about
+you. Perhaps she never got your other aunt's letter.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh yes, she did,' said Bessie. 'She answered it by sending<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> it back
+with a note saying that none of the descendants of the late Bernard
+Harper were kith or kin of hers.'</p>
+
+<p>'How wicked!' exclaimed Frances.</p>
+
+<p>'No, no, it's not right to say that, Frances dear,' said both sisters.
+'Father says,' Bessie went on, 'that no one knows what her brothers made
+her suffer, and how good she was to them, standing between them and her
+father, and devoting herself to them, and hoping against hope, even
+about our grandfather, till I suppose she <i>had</i> to give him up. It is
+awfully sad, and for her sake as well as ours, mother and I have often
+said how we wished she knew father. He would make up to her for the
+disappointment in her brothers.'</p>
+
+<p>'Isn't Lord Elvedon nice?' asked Frances; 'that's her other nephew,
+isn't he?'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh yes, I think he's a good sort of a man, but not clever,' said
+Bessie. 'Not like <i>father</i>.'</p>
+
+<p>'And then our boys,' added Margaret. 'They are so good and so clever.'</p>
+
+<p>Her pale little face flushed with rosy pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>'How nice!' said Frances, with ready sympathy. 'How many brothers have
+you?'</p>
+
+<p>'Two big&mdash;older than we are, and one little one of eleven. There are six
+of us,' Margaret replied.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;">
+<img src="images/i085.jpg" width="250" height="120" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;">
+<img src="images/i086.jpg" width="550" height="141" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+<h3>BESSIE'S MISGIVINGS.</h3>
+
+
+<p>But just then came the sound of approaching voices.</p>
+
+<p>'Bessie, Bessie, where are you? Haven't you found them? Tea's quite
+ready.'</p>
+
+<p>And Bessie started. She had forgotten the errand on which she had come.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, we must be quick!' she said. 'That's Honor and the others calling
+us; I forgot how the time was going. But Frances, I must speak to you
+for a moment before you go. Don't forget.'</p>
+
+<p>And then the three ran off to rejoin their companions.</p>
+
+<p>Never had Frances enjoyed herself more, her only regret being that
+Jacinth was not there to share her pleasure. There was the element of
+novelty to add zest to the whole, and then as the 'boarders' looked upon
+her as in some sense their guest, they vied with each other in making
+much of her&mdash;for her own sake too, for Frances was a great favourite, a
+much greater favourite than her sister, among their companions. It is to
+be doubted if Frances would have enjoyed herself quite as much had
+Jacinth been with her. For not only did Jacinth's rather cold, stand-off
+manner destroy any geniality towards herself; it often acted on Frances
+as a sort of tacit reproach to her own overflowing spirits.</p>
+
+<p>And through all the little girl's fun and merriment there<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> ran the
+consciousness of the trust reposed in her by the Harpers. She was full
+of intense interest in their family history; it was really quite like a
+story in a book, she kept saying to herself, and she felt bursting with
+eagerness to relate it all to Jacinth.</p>
+
+<p>How good and delightful they must all be, Bessie and Margaret's father
+and mother, and brothers and sisters! It was easy to believe it, the
+girls were so nice themselves! How lovely it would be if, somehow, she,
+or Jacinth and she, could be the means of healing the family breach and
+introducing her relations to Lady Myrtle, so that in the end they might
+be restored to their lost rights. For 'rights' Frances was determined to
+consider them, in her vehement young judgment and hot partisanship of
+her friends.</p>
+
+<p>'It is not fair or just!' she said to herself; 'it is shameful that they
+and their father should suffer for their <i>grandfather's</i> fault. But
+nobody could help seeing how good they are: if only Lady Myrtle knew
+them it would all be right. I wonder how would be the best way to tell
+her? Jacinth will know&mdash;she is so much cleverer than I, and then she is
+sure to be Lady Myrtle's favourite. I am glad she is, for in spite of
+what Bessie and Margaret say, I don't feel as if I could ever like that
+old lady.'</p>
+
+<p>And her eagerness to go home and talk it all over with 'Jass,' made her,
+notwithstanding her enjoyment of the afternoon, scarcely sorry when one
+of Miss Scarlett's servants came out to tell her that her maid had
+called to fetch her.</p>
+
+<p>She said good-bye to her companions and ran in for a moment, by old Miss
+Scarlett's special desire, to the drawing-room, where the ladies were
+sitting. They kissed her affectionately.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'I've been so happy,' she said. 'We've had such beautiful games; I've
+not had such fun for ever so long.'</p>
+
+<p>'I am so glad, my dear child,' said the eldest lady, and she smoothed
+the little girl's soft hair. 'You must come again and see something of
+your companions out of lesson hours as well as in the schoolroom.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances's eyes sparkled with pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>'I would like it very much,' she said.</p>
+
+<p>'What is your sister about this afternoon?' said Miss Marcia. 'Perhaps
+she does not care so much about games and romping as you do?'</p>
+
+<p>'No, she doesn't,' replied Frances, bluntly. 'This afternoon she's gone
+with Aunt Alison to the girls' club.'</p>
+
+<p>'Very nice,' said Miss Scarlett, approvingly. 'Jacinth is a thoughtful
+girl and older than her years, in some ways. Is she interested already
+in Miss Mildmay's good works?'</p>
+
+<p>The old lady was pleased to hear of any bond of sympathy likely to draw
+the aunt and niece together, for much as she respected Miss Mildmay, she
+had had strong doubts of her fitness for the charge of the girls, and
+considerable misgivings as to their happiness with her. And Miss
+Scarlett was old-fashioned, and but for her native kindliness of <i>heart</i>
+she might almost have been prejudiced and narrow-minded. She scarcely
+belonged to the present generation. Her youth had been passed in a
+somewhat restricted groove, where the Lady Bountiful notions of
+benevolent work among the poor were still predominant. Her sisters, a
+good many years her juniors, had to a certain extent assimilated modern
+ideas.</p>
+
+<p>Frances hesitated. She could not bear in the least to decry her dear
+'Jass,' and yet she knew that her sister had so far troubled her head
+very little, if at all, about her aunt's girls' club or other
+philanthropic undertakings.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Aunt Alison doesn't tell us much about all these things,' she said.
+'To-day was the first time she asked Jacinth to go with her, but Jass
+was very pleased indeed, and I'm sure she'll like to be of use.'</p>
+
+<p>Miss Scarlett smiled. She was quick of perception in some ways; she
+understood the little girl's loyal admiration of her sister, and again
+she patted her fair head.</p>
+
+<p>'Well,' she said, encouragingly, 'sometimes, I hope, Jacinth may like to
+spend a holiday afternoon with us. But tell her and your aunt from me,
+that if ever they are at a loss what to do with <i>you</i>, Frances, Miss
+Mildmay must let me know. We can manage a good run in the garden even in
+wintry weather, and there <i>are</i> such things as blindman's-buff and
+hide-and-seek in the house sometimes.'</p>
+
+<p>'Thank you <i>very</i> much,' said Frances. 'I think&mdash;I would like to come
+sometimes on Saturdays, for, besides going with Aunt Alison, I shouldn't
+wonder if&mdash;I daresay Jass may have often to go'&mdash;&mdash;She stopped and
+hesitated, and finally blushed. 'I don't think I can explain,' she said.</p>
+
+<p>'Never mind, my dear,' said Miss Marcia, coming to the rescue, with a
+vague idea that perhaps Jacinth had some private charities of her own in
+prospect which she did not wish talked about. 'Give Miss Scarlett's
+message to your aunt and sister, and good-bye till Monday morning.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances ran off, much relieved in her mind.</p>
+
+<p>'But I really must be careful how I talk,' she reflected sagely. 'I had
+quite forgotten that I wasn't to chatter about Lady Myrtle&mdash;except to
+Bessie and Margaret. Jacinth said I might really count them my friends,
+and that means being able to tell them anything I like. Besides, how
+could I have helped telling Margaret about Lady Myrtle, when she told me
+all the story of her being their great-aunt?'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Her conscience nevertheless was not absolutely at rest, and joined to
+her eagerness to tell her sister all she had heard of the Harpers'
+family history was now a slight fear of Jacinth's considering her
+indiscreet, and she was so preoccupied that, as she hurried out to the
+hall, where Phebe was waiting, she almost ran against Bessie, who was
+eagerly watching for her.</p>
+
+<p>'Frances,' she said, 'I must speak to you a moment. I asked Miss Linley,
+and she let me run in, and she said I might walk down to the gate with
+you.' There was rather a long drive up to the door of Ivy Lodge.
+'Listen, dear; it's this. I can't bear to ask you to keep anything a
+secret from your aunt or your sister, but <i>sometimes</i> secrets may be
+right, if they concern other people and are not about anything in any
+way wrong. And I don't see what else to do. It is this&mdash;would you mind
+promising me not to tell <i>anybody</i> about Lady Myrtle Goodacre being our
+relation, till I have written home to mother and told her that you and
+Jacinth know her, and about your grandmother having been her dear
+friend? I am <i>so</i> afraid of doing harm, or vexing father, for though he
+is so good, he is&mdash;very proud, you know, and&mdash;he could not bear it
+to&mdash;to come round to Lady Myrtle that we were talking about her,
+or&mdash;thinking about her money.'</p>
+
+<p>Bessie's face by this time was crimson. Frances opened her mouth as if
+about to speak, then shut it again, and gazed at Bessie with a variety
+of contradictory feelings looking out of her blue eyes. There was
+disappointment, strong disappointment that her wonderful schemes for
+bringing the Harpers and their old relative together threatened thus to
+be nipped in the bud; there was disappointment, too, that she was not to
+have the pleasure<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> and importance of relating the story 'just like one
+in a book' to her sister; and yet there was considerable relief, born of
+her recently aroused misgiving as to how Jacinth would look upon her
+confidences with Margaret.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie meanwhile stood looking at her in undisguised anxiety.</p>
+
+<p>'It doesn't matter a bit about Aunt Alison,' Frances at last blurted
+out. 'We're not at all bound to tell her everything; mamma knows she
+wouldn't understand or take the trouble to listen. And so, when we came
+here, mamma said we must just do the best we could. I've always told
+Jass everything, and we write long, <i>long</i> letters to mamma. We tell
+her&mdash;at least I do&mdash;everything that puzzles us, even things I can't
+understand about&mdash;about religion,' and here Frances grew red. 'Though
+that's <i>one</i> thing that's better here than at Stannesley; the Bible
+classes are so nice.'</p>
+
+<p>'But Frances,' repeated Bessie, 'about not telling Jacinth? It is only
+till I write to mother and get her answer. And I'm not asking you to
+hide anything wrong; it's really our own family affairs.'</p>
+
+<p>'I know,' said Frances. 'No, I don't think it could be wrong to
+promise.'</p>
+
+<p>'Put it this way,' said Bessie: 'suppose you had, by some sort of
+accident, overheard anything about other people, you wouldn't at all
+think you were bound to tell Jacinth. Well, you see it was a <i>little</i>
+like that; Margaret shouldn't by rights have told you without asking
+mamma.'</p>
+
+<p>'I see,' said Frances. 'Well then, Bessie, I promise not to tell anybody
+till you give me leave. Only, you won't count my writing it all to
+mamma? I write the most of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> my weekly letter to her on Sunday, so I'd
+like to know, because to-morrow's Sunday, you see.'</p>
+
+<p>'<i>Of course</i>,' said Bessie with the utmost heartiness, '<i>of course</i> you
+must write everything to your mother, just as I shall to mamma. Thank
+you so much, dear Francie, for understanding so well. And&mdash;and&mdash;just one
+other little thing&mdash;don't you think, just now, it will be better for you
+and Margaret not to talk about Lady Myrtle to each other? I mean if she
+invites you to Robin Redbreast and you go, I don't think you'd better
+tell Margaret. She's not very strong, and she thinks of things so, once
+she gets them in her head. She's different from me. I can put them right
+away.'</p>
+
+<p>And Bessie gave herself a little shake and stood there, all the anxiety
+gone out of her face, bright, fearless, and handsome as usual.</p>
+
+<p>Frances, however, gave a little sigh.</p>
+
+<p>'Very well,' she said, 'I won't speak about it any more to Margaret if
+you think I'd better not. But it's rather hard not to have any one I can
+tell about it, when I've been so interested.'</p>
+
+<p>And Frances's face grew very doleful.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie Harper looked and felt sorry for her. She knew what a warm
+faithful little heart she had to do with, and unaware as she was of
+Frances's slight fear of Jacinth's displeasure, she perhaps
+overestimated the trial it was to the younger sister to be debarred from
+giving her confidences to the elder one.</p>
+
+<p>'I'm very sorry,' she said, sympathisingly. 'I really am very sorry
+indeed. But still I'm sure it's better for Jacinth not to know about it
+till I hear what mother says. You see she <i>may</i> be invited to Lady
+Myrtle's any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> day, and if anything about the Elvedons or our family was
+said, it would be impossible for her not to feel uncomfortable
+and&mdash;and&mdash;not open, you know, unless she told what Margaret told you,
+and that might be just what father would dislike.'</p>
+
+<p>'And suppose <i>I</i> go to Robin Redbreast too,' said Frances, 'what am I to
+do?'</p>
+
+<p>'I thought you said Jacinth was the one who would go,' said Bessie.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh well,' replied Frances, who had raised the difficulty partly out of
+half-petulant contradiction, 'I am pretty sure it will be Jass. I don't
+think Lady Myrtle noticed me much, and I don't want to go. I don't like
+her; at least I don't care about her unless she could be made nice to
+you. And any way she wouldn't ask <i>me</i> questions, even if by chance she
+did hear your name'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'And Jacinth isn't the least likely to speak about us, as things are. So
+it's all right; and any way, Frances, you can write a very long letter
+to your mother to-morrow.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' the little girl agreed. 'That's better than nothing; only, just
+think of the weeks and weeks before I can get an answer! Whatever other
+troubles you have, Bessie, you <i>are</i> lucky to have your father and
+mother in England, and to know them. I don't know mamma for myself a
+bit; only by her letters, and because I just feel she <i>must</i> be very
+good and kind. When I was very little it seemed something like&mdash;no,
+perhaps you wouldn't understand'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'I think I would,' said Bessie, who was eager to make up by every means
+in her power for any distress she was causing to her friend. 'Tell me.'</p>
+
+<p>'I was only thinking what queer feelings children have,' said Frances.
+'When I was little, before I had ever seen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> mamma&mdash;of course I can
+remember her since the time I <i>did</i> see her, five years ago, and since
+then she has seemed real&mdash;but before that, it was only a kind of faith.
+Writing letters to her was a very little&mdash;don't think it's naughty of me
+to say it&mdash;a very little like saying our prayers. They went out, away to
+somewhere, to some one I'd never seen; just like, you know, when we
+pray.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' said Bessie gently, 'but the answers came.'</p>
+
+<p>'I know,' replied Frances simply. 'And sometimes I think it helped to
+make me feel that there is something <i>real</i> in saying our prayers. But I
+must go.'</p>
+
+<p>'And so must I,' said Bessie. 'And thank you, dear Francie.'</p>
+
+<p>She kissed the little face affectionately, and then hastened back to her
+companions.</p>
+
+<p>'I do love Frances,' she thought. 'Somehow, I don't feel as if I could
+ever love Jacinth quite as much. I do hope all this won't bother the
+poor little thing. I should make Margaret unhappy if I blamed her for
+having told Frances, and I scarcely see how she could have helped it. It
+isn't as if we were in disgrace,' and Bessie threw back her head
+proudly. 'We have no secrets: father's whole life and character are
+<i>grand</i>; and rather than have that horrid old Lady Myrtle&mdash;there, now,
+I'm calling her just what I told Frances she mustn't&mdash;rather than have
+her thinking <i>we</i> want her money, I'd&mdash;I don't know what I wouldn't do.
+If only'&mdash;&mdash;And here poor Bessie's heroics broke down a little. There
+came before her a vision of 'father' with his crutch&mdash;for he had been
+wounded in the hip and was very lame&mdash;with the lines of suffering on his
+face, showing through the cheery smile which it was seldom without; and
+of 'mother' in her well-worn black poplin,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> which she used to declare
+was 'never going to look shabby,' planning and contriving how to send
+the two girls, neatly and sufficiently provided for, to school, when the
+wonderful chance of a year at Miss Scarlett's had so unexpectedly come
+in their way.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie's eyes filled with tears.</p>
+
+<p>'I'd do anything for them,' she thought. 'I'd go to be Lady Myrtle's
+companion or lady's-maid or <i>anything</i>, if it would do any good. It's
+all very well to be "proud," but I'm afraid my pride would melt very
+quickly if I could see any way to help them. But I'm glad I stopped
+Frances talking about it; it really might have done harm. I must write a
+long letter to mother. I wonder if I can begin it to-night?'</p>
+
+<p>Frances, escorted by Phebe, made her way home in greater silence for
+some minutes than was usual with her. She was revolving many things in
+her fluffy little head.</p>
+
+<p>'Had they come in when you started to fetch me?' she inquired at last of
+the maid.</p>
+
+<p>'Not yet, Miss Frances. Miss Mildmay gave me orders to go for you at
+half-past six, before she went out. But I don't think they'll be long.
+Late tea is ordered for half-past seven, and Miss Mildmay is never
+behind time on Saturday evenings.'</p>
+
+<p>'I don't mind whether they're in or not&mdash;not much,' said Frances. 'I
+don't want any more tea. I suppose Eugene has had his?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, Miss Frances, his tea and an egg. He was very pleased. Master
+Eugene does enjoy a nice boiled fresh egg. I think you'll have to go
+down to late tea, though, Miss Frances; perhaps Miss Mildmay wouldn't be
+pleased if you didn't; and perhaps'&mdash;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Nonsense, Phebe,' said her young mistress; 'Aunt Alison doesn't care.
+You speak as if she was like a mamma, wanting to have us beside her
+always. She's had Miss Jacinth all the afternoon, and she likes her
+better than me. I'm sure she wouldn't care if she never saw me again.
+Well, no; perhaps I shouldn't say that, for she's quite kind. She was
+very kind about letting me go this afternoon, and sending you to take me
+and to fetch me, Phebe.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, Miss Frances,' began Phebe, again with some hesitation, 'it was
+just that I was thinking about. If you go down to tea just as usual,
+nice and neat, it'll make it more likely that she will let you go again.
+It will show that a little change now and then will do you no harm, nor
+get you out of regular ways, so to say, Miss Frances.'</p>
+
+<p>'Very well,' the child agreed; 'I don't care much one way or another. Oh
+Phebe,' she went on, brightening up again&mdash;it would have been difficult
+to depress Francie for long&mdash;'we had such fun this afternoon;' and she
+went into some particulars of the games, which Phebe listened to with
+great interest. 'I wish Aunt Alison would <i>sometimes</i> let us have
+friends to play with us. We could have beautiful "I spy" in the garden.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, Miss Frances, so you could,' agreed Phebe.</p>
+
+<p>'You see at Stannesley there were really no children, no girls any way
+near our age except the Vicar's daughter, and though she came to have
+tea with us sometimes it wasn't much pleasure&mdash;not <i>fun</i>, at least.
+She's a little older than Miss Jacinth, and oh, Phebe, she's so
+<i>awfully</i> deaf. It's almost like not hearing at all.'</p>
+
+<p>'Poor young lady!' said Phebe, sympathisingly.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, isn't it sad? And so, you see, the one thing we were glad of about
+coming here&mdash;I was, any way&mdash;was about going<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> to school; just what some
+girls wouldn't have liked. I've always wanted so to have some
+companions, only it isn't half as much good having them if you only see
+them at lessons. I don't think Miss Jacinth minds. She was pleased to go
+to school because of learning better and finding out how much other
+girls know compared with us, but I don't think she minds the way I do.'</p>
+
+<p>She had almost forgotten whom she was speaking to, or indeed that she
+was speaking aloud, and half started when Phebe replied again to this
+long speech.</p>
+
+<p>'It's just because of that, Miss Frances,' said the girl, 'that I was
+thinking how nice it will be if you're invited sometimes to play with
+the young ladies of a holiday afternoon like to-day. And if I were you,
+I'd take care to show Miss Mildmay that it doesn't unsettle you, and I'd
+just put out of my mind about having any young ladies to come to you.
+It'd not suit your aunt's ways.'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' said Frances, 'I suppose not. It's only really the Harpers I care
+about,' she added to herself. 'And now,' she went on thinking, 'with
+this muddle about the old lady at Robin Redbreast&mdash;if their mother
+doesn't want her to know about them, perhaps it's best for Jacinth not
+to see them much. And I'll have to forget what Margaret told me, after
+I've written to mamma. I want to remember it <i>exactly</i> to tell her.'</p>
+
+<p>She sighed a little. Almost for the first time Frances began to realise
+that, even when one is possessed of the purest motives and the best
+intentions, life may be a complicated business. Right and wrong are not
+always written up before us on conspicuous finger-posts, as we fancy in
+childhood will be the case. There are shades and modifications, wisdom
+and unwisdom; apparently, though, thank God,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> only 'apparently,'
+conflicting duties, whose rival claims it is not always easy to measure.
+And it is not till some stages later in our journey that we come to see
+how our own prejudices or shortsightedness or self-will are really at
+the root of the perplexity. For God demands no impossibilities. As has
+been quaintly said, 'He neither expects us to be in two places at once,
+nor to put twenty-five hours' work into twenty-four.'</p>
+
+<p>To do what is the least agreeable to us, though far from an invariable
+rule, is often a safe one. Frances would have liked to run up-stairs to
+the nursery, and to sit down there and then to the long letter to
+'mamma,' to the outpouring of confidence to the almost unknown friend
+she had learned to trust. But common-sense and a certain docility, which
+was strongly developed in her, in spite of her superficial
+self-assertion and blunt, even abrupt outspokenness, made her yield to
+Phebe's advice.</p>
+
+<p>And it was a neat, composed-looking little maiden who met her aunt and
+sister on their return half an hour or so later, somewhat tired and
+fagged by their rather tedious afternoon's work.</p>
+
+<p>'I am glad you are back, my dear,' said her aunt. 'I wished afterwards I
+had made a point of your not keeping Phebe waiting, as I had forgotten
+that Eugene would be alone, and I am always afraid of any accident with
+the fire, or anything of that kind.'</p>
+
+<p>'I did keep her waiting a little,' said Frances, honestly. 'But I've
+been back a good while. I've heard Eugene his Sunday lessons: he knows
+them quite well. And I think tea is quite ready, Aunt Alison.'</p>
+
+<p>'That's right,' Miss Mildmay replied. 'You may ring for it to be brought
+in, while Jacinth and I take off our things.&mdash;Frances<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> seems none the
+worse for her visit,' she added to her elder niece as they made their
+way up-stairs. 'I shall not object to her going to Ivy Lodge sometimes
+in this way, if it does not make her rough or hoydenish.'</p>
+
+<p>'I don't think there is much fear of her learning anything of that kind
+from the <i>boarders</i>,' said Jacinth, gratified by her aunt's confidential
+tone. 'I shouldn't be so sure of the day-scholars, but you know, Aunt
+Alison, the Miss Scarletts keep them very distinct. It is a&mdash;well,' with
+a little smile, 'a great compliment for Francie to be asked this way.'</p>
+
+<p>'The Miss Scarletts have plenty of discrimination,' her aunt replied.
+'They know that my nieces&mdash;your father's daughters&mdash;going to any school,
+especially a day-school, is a great compliment to that school.'</p>
+
+<p>It was not often that Miss Mildmay indulged in any expression of her
+underlying family pride. It suited Jacinth's ideas 'down to the ground.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, of course,' she agreed quietly. 'Still the school <i>is</i> an
+exceptional one. I think Frances is learning to understand some things
+better,' she went on. 'But of course she is <i>very</i> young for her age. At
+first she was far too ready to rush into bosom friendships and
+enthusiastic admirations and all that sort of thing. And she perfectly
+adores games,' with a slight intonation of contempt.</p>
+
+<p>'<i>You</i> don't?' said Miss Mildmay, smiling. 'There is nothing to be
+ashamed of in liking games, if not allowed to go too far.'</p>
+
+<p>'I think it must be born in some people,' said Jacinth. 'It isn't
+laziness that makes me not care for them. For I love riding and long
+walks and dancing. Only, somehow, I feel so much <i>older</i>.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'I can sympathise with you,' said her aunt. 'I have never been able to
+care for any game that ever was invented. So I have not been victimising
+you this afternoon, you are sure?'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh indeed, no,' replied Jacinth heartily.</p>
+
+<p>On the whole the domestic atmosphere in Market Square Place seemed more
+genial.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;">
+<img src="images/i100.jpg" width="250" height="251" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;">
+<img src="images/i101.jpg" width="550" height="139" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+<h3>AN INVITATION.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Jacinth was quick of observation. They had not been many minutes seated
+at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent&mdash;or
+rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking
+much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.</p>
+
+<p>She glanced at Frances once or twice inquiringly, then she tried to draw
+her into the conversation, but only succeeded in extracting
+monosyllables in reply. Still her sister did not look depressed,
+certainly not cross; it was much more as if her thoughts were elsewhere.</p>
+
+<p>'What are you dreaming about, Frances?' said Jacinth at last with a
+touch of sharpness. 'Are you very tired?'</p>
+
+<p>'Did you not enjoy yourself this afternoon?' asked Miss Mildmay,
+following suit.</p>
+
+<p>Frances started, and pulled herself together.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh yes,' she said, '<i>very</i> much. I never enjoyed myself more. I was
+only&mdash;oh, I was only thinking of things.'</p>
+
+<p>'What sort of things?' asked her aunt good-humouredly. 'Had you much
+grave and learned discussion at Ivy Lodge?'</p>
+
+<p>Frances reddened a little.</p>
+
+<p>'We did talk quietly part of the time,' she said. 'We weren't playing
+games <i>all</i> the afternoon. I was a good<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> while walking up and down with
+Margaret, and afterwards with Bessie.'</p>
+
+<p>Miss Mildmay glanced inquiringly at her elder niece.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' said Jacinth, replying to the unspoken question. 'Those are the
+girls Frances is so fond of&mdash;the Harpers.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh yes, I remember,' said Miss Mildmay. 'Their mother is an old friend
+of the Scarletts, and the good souls were delighted to take the girls
+at'&mdash;&mdash;She stopped suddenly, aware that she had been on the point of
+betraying a confidence, realising, too, that the subject of it was
+scarcely suited for her young auditors, for Frances especially. But in
+her slight confusion she stumbled on the very thing she was anxious to
+avoid, so that it required little 'putting of two and two together' for
+Jacinth to complete to herself, with an inward smile, her aunt's
+broken-off sentence. 'They are not&mdash;the Harpers, I mean&mdash;they are not at
+all well off, and&mdash;a large family, I fancy,' Miss Mildmay went on.</p>
+
+<p>'No,' said Frances in her clear young voice, rather to her hearers'
+surprise, 'no, they are not <i>at all</i> rich.'</p>
+
+<p>Then she started, grew crimson, and looked round in affright: had she
+said something she should not have said? A strange, silly, nervous
+feeling came over her; as if she must, in another moment, burst into
+tears.</p>
+
+<p>'Frances,' said Jacinth, 'what are you looking so terrified about?
+There's no harm in what you said. It's no secret; Aunt Alison said it
+herself first.'</p>
+
+<p>Her tone was not unkindly, though slightly sharp. But a look of relief
+overspread her sister's face.</p>
+
+<p>'No, of course not. I'm very silly,' she murmured.</p>
+
+<p>'I think you must be a little over-tired,' said Miss Mildmay vaguely.
+She had not specially noticed Frances's expression. 'I wonder,' she went
+on, 'I wonder if those Harpers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> are any relation to the Elvedons? I
+can't quite remember what Miss Scarlett said about them. It was their
+mother she was interested in, though&mdash;not their father. If they were
+Elvedon Harpers, Lady Myrtle would know about them; at least'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Harper isn't at all an uncommon name,' interrupted Jacinth.</p>
+
+<p>But Miss Mildmay did not resent the little discourtesy&mdash;her mind was
+pursuing its own train of thought. 'I don't know that it <i>would</i> follow
+that she could know anything of them,' she said. 'Some of the last
+generation of Harpers were sadly unsatisfactory, and I believe the old
+man, Lady Myrtle's father, disinherited one or more of his sons. So if
+you ever go to Robin Redbreast, girls, I think it would be just as well
+not to mention your school-fellows of the name.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth shot a rather triumphant glance at her sister.</p>
+
+<p>'It is generally better, and more well-bred, not to begin about "Are you
+related to the so-and-so's?" or "I have friends of your name," and
+remarks like that; isn't it, Aunt Alison?' she said. 'I was telling
+Frances so, only yesterday.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances reddened again.</p>
+
+<p>'Well, yes,' said Miss Mildmay. 'Still, one cannot make a hard and fast
+rule about such matters. It calls for a little tact.'</p>
+
+<p>She was very inconsistent; who is not? Something in Jacinth's premature
+wisdom&mdash;almost savouring of 'worldly' wisdom&mdash;rather repelled her,
+careful and unimpulsive though she herself was. Then she felt annoyed
+with her own annoyance: it was unjust to blame the girl, when she
+herself had been inculcating caution.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'In this case,' she added, 'I am sure it is best to keep off family
+affairs, you being so young and Lady Myrtle Goodacre so old; and as I
+know, there have been sore spots in her history.'</p>
+
+<p>Then she rose from the table.</p>
+
+<p>'Francie, dear, I think you had better go to bed early. You <i>are</i>
+looking tired,' she said kindly, and as she kissed the little girl she
+almost fancied&mdash;was it fancy?&mdash;that she felt a touch of dew on her
+cheek.</p>
+
+<p>'I'm afraid I don't understand children at all,' she thought to herself,
+though with a little sigh. 'What in the world can Frances be crying
+about?'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth, once they were alone, did not spare her sister.</p>
+
+<p>'I do think you are too silly,' she said. 'If you go on so oddly after
+having an afternoon's play, I am sure Aunt Alison won't let you go
+again. First you seemed half asleep, then you jumped and looked
+terrified for nothing at all, and now you are actually crying. What <i>is</i>
+the matter?'</p>
+
+<p>'I didn't mean'&mdash;&mdash;began Frances.</p>
+
+<p>'I believe it's those girls,' continued Jacinth, working herself up to
+rare irritation, for as a rule she was gentle to her sister. 'They
+really seem to bewitch you. Are you crying because you're not a boarder
+at school, so that you could be always beside them?' she added
+ironically.</p>
+
+<p>'No, of course not. I wouldn't be so silly,' said Frances, with a touch
+of her usual spirit.</p>
+
+<p>'Then what <i>are</i> you crying about?'</p>
+
+<p>Frances murmured something about 'thinking Jacinth was vexed with her.'</p>
+
+<p>'Nonsense,' said Jacinth. 'You know I wasn't in the least till you got
+so silly. I don't understand you to-night one bit, but I will say I
+think it has something to do with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> the Harpers, and if they begin coming
+between you and me, Frances, I shall end by really disliking them.'</p>
+
+<p>'I think you dislike them already,' retorted Frances, 'and I'm sure I
+don't know why.'</p>
+
+<p>To this Jacinth vouchsafed no reply. She would have said the accusation
+was not worth noticing. But yet at the bottom of her heart she knew
+there was something in it. A vague, ridiculous, unfounded sort of
+jealousy of the Harpers had begun to insinuate itself.</p>
+
+<p>'I wish their name had been anything else,' she said to herself. 'I
+don't believe they are really any relation to Lady Myrtle&mdash;at least not
+anything countable. But it is so disagreeable to have the feeling of
+knowing anything of people who <i>may</i> be&mdash;well, rather objectionable
+relations of hers. Well, no; perhaps that's putting it too strong. I
+mean relations she doesn't want to have to do with, and I don't see why
+she <i>should</i> want to have to do with them. I shall take care, I know,
+not to speak of them to her, for it would only annoy her, and it's no
+business of mine. I do wish Frances hadn't taken them up so, she is so
+silly sometimes.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances on her side began to think she had gone too far. She glanced up
+at Jacinth, and saw that her face was very grave.</p>
+
+<p>'Jass,' she said, stealing up to her and speaking in a soft apologetic
+tone, 'I'm very sorry for being cross. I think I <i>am</i> rather tired,
+though I did so enjoy myself this afternoon. Perhaps I'd better go to
+bed, for I want to write most of my letter to mamma to-morrow. I want to
+write her a good long one this time.'</p>
+
+<p>'Very well,' said Jacinth as graciously as she could. 'I'm sure I
+haven't meant to be cross either, Francie; but&mdash;I don't like the idea of
+<i>any one</i> coming between you and me.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Of course not; nobody <i>could</i>, never,' said Frances eagerly. 'Kiss me,
+Jass. I really don't know what made me begin to cry; it was a mixture.'</p>
+
+<p>Her voice trembled a little again. In terror of incurring Jacinth's
+displeasure, Frances tugged at her pocket-handkerchief. Out came, for
+the second time that day, the old Christmas card.</p>
+
+<p>'What's that?' said Jacinth.</p>
+
+<p>Frances smoothed it out and showed it her, reminding her of its history.</p>
+
+<p>'I think it was that that made me feel rather&mdash;queer&mdash;this afternoon,
+first,' she said. 'It brought things back so.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well, dear, go to bed and have a good night. And to-morrow you'll be
+fresh for a nice long letter to mamma in the afternoon, when we come
+back from the children's service; there's always plenty of time. I want
+to write her a long letter too.'</p>
+
+<p>The letters were written, neither sister reading the other's. This was a
+recognised rule, and a wise one, as it kept each child more directly in
+touch with the absent mother, and also enabled her to judge of her
+children's gradually developing characters. The very way in which the
+same occurrence was related by each threw many an unsuspected light on
+the 'Jacinth' and 'Frances' she had personally so sadly little knowledge
+of.</p>
+
+<p>And then for some days life at Number 9 Market Square Place, which had
+been to a certain extent enlivened or disturbed, seemed to revert again
+to its usual monotony. It was almost like a dream to Jacinth to recall
+the strange visit to the quaint old house and the unexpected confidences
+of Lady Myrtle Goodacre; the more so that she had at first allowed her
+imagination to run wild on all the possibilities<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> thus opened up. And to
+Frances it was even more bewildering to remember the glimpse vouchsafed
+to her by her young friends into their past family history. For though
+they were both as affectionate and friendly as before&mdash;more so, indeed,
+it seemed to her&mdash;neither by word nor allusion was the Saturday's
+conversation referred to. Margaret had evidently promised Bessie to keep
+off the subject, and Frances of course could but do the same.</p>
+
+<p>'Perhaps,' she thought to herself, 'they will never speak of it again to
+me; perhaps that is what their mother has told them she wished. But
+after all, it doesn't look as if this would much matter, for there is no
+sign that Lady Myrtle means to take any more notice of us, not even of
+poor Jass. I'm not surprised; any one that can be so unkind about her
+own relations <i>can't</i> be very nice.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances was sorry for Jacinth, and a little disappointed for herself,
+and there had still lingered in her some dim hopes that possibly
+<i>somehow</i> their own acquaintance with the old lady might have been of
+use to her friends. Jacinth, though she said nothing, was feeling very
+chagrined indeed, and not a little bitter.</p>
+
+<p>What could have happened to change Lady Myrtle so? Could it be that she
+was really very fanciful and whimsical? It scarcely seemed so,
+considering that she had written so promptly to Miss Mildmay, not losing
+even one post! And this thought suggested another explanation. Could
+their aunt's letter in reply have contained something to annoy the old
+lady? Jacinth began to be very much afraid it must be so, and it made
+her very vexed with Miss Mildmay, though she did not in the least
+suppose it had been done <i>intentionally</i>.</p>
+
+<p>'Aunt Alison is perfectly straightforward,' thought the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> girl. 'If she
+meant to stop our going to Robin Redbreast, she would have said so right
+out. But she may have written in a stiff, stuck-up way, as if it would
+be a great favour to let us go, which would very likely offend Lady
+Myrtle. I do think she might have told me what she said.'</p>
+
+<p>And but for Miss Mildmay's being particularly busy that week, and very
+engrossed by some unexpected difficulties which had arisen in connection
+with one of her benevolent works, she could scarcely have failed to
+notice Jacinth's extremely icy manner and unusual silence.</p>
+
+<p>But on Friday morning came a thaw.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Mildmay looked up with a smile&mdash;her smiles were somewhat rare, but
+not without a certain charm&mdash;as the girls entered the dining-room,
+<i>even</i> though they were too late for prayers.</p>
+
+<p>'We are so sorry, Aunt Alison,' said Frances eagerly. 'We <i>just</i> got to
+the door in time to be too late.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well, I must forgive you, for I cannot say that it often happens.
+And&mdash;I have something to tell you, Jacinth,' was the gracious reply.</p>
+
+<p>Two things had pleased Miss Mildmay that morning: a letter with the
+welcome news that, thanks to her judicious management, the difficulty
+alluded to had been got over, and another letter from Lady Myrtle
+Goodacre, with a cordial invitation to her elder niece. For Miss Mildmay
+herself, though it was not her way to express such things, had felt a
+little annoyed and considerably surprised at no further communication
+from the owner of Robin Redbreast.</p>
+
+<p>Now, however, all was cleared up. The old lady had been ill,
+'otherwise,' she wrote with studied courtesy, 'she had hoped before this
+to have had the pleasure of calling.' But<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> under the circumstances she
+felt sure that Miss Mildmay would excuse her, and in proof of this,
+would she allow her niece Jacinth to spend Sunday at Robin Redbreast? by
+which she explained that she meant from Saturday to Monday morning.</p>
+
+<p>'My carriage shall call for her about noon,' wrote Lady Myrtle, 'and she
+shall be sent home, or straight to school, at any hour she names on
+Monday.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth's eyes sparkled. This was just the sort of thing she had been
+hoping for, but with the self-restraint peculiar to her, unusual in one
+so young, she said nothing till her aunt directly addressed her, after
+reading aloud Lady Myrtle's note.</p>
+
+<p>'Well, what do you say to it? Would you like to go?' asked Miss Mildmay.</p>
+
+<p>'Very much indeed,' Jacinth replied, 'except'&mdash;&mdash;And as her eyes fell on
+her sister she hesitated. 'I wish Frances had been invited too,' she was
+on the point of saying, but she changed the words into, 'I hope Frances
+won't be dull without me.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh no, don't think about that,' said the younger girl. 'I really and
+truly would not like to go; I shouldn't care about it in the least, and
+I am <i>very</i> glad I'm not asked.'</p>
+
+<p>And Jacinth saw that Frances thoroughly meant what she said.</p>
+
+<p>Before the day was over, Frances felt still more glad that she had not
+been included in the invitation, for as soon as morning lessons were
+finished, and the day-scholars were getting ready to go, Bessie Harper
+came running to her with a letter in her hand.</p>
+
+<p>'This is for you, Frances,' she said. 'It is from my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> sister Camilla,
+who was here, you know, when you first came, for a little.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances was staring at the letter in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>'I scarcely knew your sister at all,' she said. 'She was so big compared
+with me&mdash;even with Jacinth.'</p>
+
+<p>'Ah well, you will understand when you've read it. It came inside one to
+me,' said Bessie. 'It'll be all right when you've read it. But I must
+go.' And off she ran.</p>
+
+<p>Frances looked again at the envelope and then deposited the letter in
+her pocket. She had a feeling that she would read it when she was alone,
+for she began to have some idea what it was about. She read it at home
+that afternoon. It ran as follows:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i28"><span class="smcap">Southcliff</span>, <i>October 7th</i>.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">My dear Frances</span>&mdash;I am writing to you instead of my mother,
+for as you and I were, though only for a short time,
+school-fellows, we think perhaps I can explain better what
+Bessie's letter makes us think necessary to say. Mother is
+not vexed with Margaret for what she told you, for there is
+nothing secret about us or our history, though there have
+been sad things in father's family long ago, as you know.
+Bessie told us of your kind feelings about us, and though I
+saw so little of you, I can well believe them. But with
+regard to our great-aunt, both my father and mother hope she
+will hear nothing about us. Father has long left off any
+thought of friendly relations with her. Of course there is
+no reason why our name should not be mentioned to her by
+yourself, or your sister, if it happened to come up in
+conversation; but we should be sorry for her to think we
+murmured about being poor, or that any of us ever thought of
+her as a rich relation who might help us. So we shall all be
+very glad indeed if you will try to forget that you know
+anything of us Harpers except as school-fellows who will
+always be pleased to count you a true friend. Mother wishes
+you to do just what you think best about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> showing this
+letter to your sister or not. And of course you will tell
+your mother anything or everything about the matter. Yours
+affectionately,</p></div>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i32"><span class="smcap">Camilla Harper.</span><br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Frances gave a sigh.</p>
+
+<p>'I won't show it to Jacinth,' she thought. 'Aunt Alison said it was
+better for her not to speak about the Harpers to Lady Myrtle, so there's
+no use in saying anything about them. And it's more comfortable not to
+have something in your head you're not to tell. I suppose I must try to
+put it all out of my head, but it <i>would</i> have been nice to help to make
+that old aunt of theirs like them. I'll put the letter in an envelope
+ready addressed to mamma&mdash;that'll keep any one from touching it&mdash;and
+I'll send it to her in my next letter.'</p>
+
+<p>But it called for some self-control not to tell it all to her sister,
+even at the risk of her displeasure. And Frances was conscious of a very
+slight feeling of relief when Jacinth, evidently in high spirits, though
+quiet as she always was, set off in state the next day for her visit to
+Robin Redbreast.</p>
+
+<p>She had made up her mind to enjoy herself and to be pleased with
+everything, and it was not difficult to carry out this programme.
+Everything Lady Myrtle could think of to make her young guest feel at
+home had been done, and Jacinth was both quick to see this and most
+ready to appreciate it.</p>
+
+<p>She drew a deep breath of satisfaction when she found herself seated in
+Lady Myrtle's comfortable brougham, which, though a trifle
+old-fashioned, was, like everything belonging to the Robin Redbreast
+establishment, thoroughly good of its kind.</p>
+
+<p>'It is like being at Stannesley again,' thought Jacinth,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> 'only poor
+granny's carriage and horses, and old Simpson the coachman, weren't half
+so nice as all this is.'</p>
+
+<p>And, to confess the truth, I think a passing regret went through her
+that the road to her destination lay straight out from the town on the
+Market Square Place side, so that there was no chance of her meeting any
+of her school-fellows and giving them a smiling nod of recognition.</p>
+
+<p>The door was opened by the neat parlour-maid, but behind her
+appeared&mdash;to do special honour to the young lady, no doubt&mdash;a
+functionary whom Jacinth had not seen before&mdash;no less a personage than
+Mr Thornley, Lady Myrtle's old, not to say aged butler. He came forward
+gently rubbing his hands, and bending with a decorous mixture of
+paternal solicitude and deference which Jacinth by no means objected to,
+though it made her inclined to smile a little.</p>
+
+<p>'Miss Mildmay, I presume?'</p>
+
+<p>'Miss Mildmay' was quite equal to the occasion. She bent her head
+graciously.</p>
+
+<p>'Her ladyship is awaiting you in her boudoir, if you will have the
+goodness to follow me,' the old man proceeded.</p>
+
+<p>They were standing in the hall. It was large&mdash;at least it seemed so in
+comparison with the impression given by the outside of the house, which
+Jacinth knew so well, and which was really cottage-like. The hall was
+wainscoted in oak half-way up, where the panels met a bluish-green
+Japanese-looking paper. A really old oriental paper it was, such as is
+not even nowadays to be procured in England, so thickly covered with
+tracery of leaves and flowers and birds and butterflies in a delightful
+tangle, that the underlying colour was more felt than seen. A short
+staircase of wide shallow steps ran up one side, disappearing apparently
+into the wall, and up this staircase, rather to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> Jacinth's surprise&mdash;for
+there were several doors in the hall leading, no doubt, to the principal
+ground-floor rooms&mdash;stepped Thornley in a gingerly manner till he
+reached the little landing at the top. There he threw open a door,
+papered like the walls so cleverly as to be invisible when closed,
+though it was a good-sized door&mdash;wide and high. And as soon as the girl,
+following behind, caught sight of the vista now revealed, she wondered
+no more, as she had been doing, at Lady Myrtle's choosing an up-stairs
+room for her boudoir.</p>
+
+<p>'In a town it would be different,' Jacinth had been saying to herself,
+'but in the country it's so much nicer to be able to get out into the
+garden at once.'</p>
+
+<p>But she did not understand the peculiar architecture of Robin Redbreast.
+A glow of colour met her eyes, for the door in the wall opened on to a
+gallery, three sides of which ran round an inner hall on the
+ground-floor, while the fourth&mdash;that facing her&mdash;was all conservatory,
+and conservatory of the most perfect kind. The girl started,
+half-dazzled by the unexpected radiance, and drew a quick breath of
+satisfaction, as the butler passed along the side of the gallery and
+threw open a door leading in among the flowers&mdash;she, following closely,
+lingered a moment while the old servant passed on, partly to give him
+time to announce her, partly to enjoy for half an instant the fragrance
+and beauty around her.</p>
+
+<p>Then came a voice, and a figure in the inner doorway&mdash;the figure that
+already seemed so familiar to her, though she had seen it but once.</p>
+
+<p>'My dear child&mdash;my dear Jacinth,' and she felt two kind arms thrown
+round her, and the soft withered cheek of the old lady pressed against
+her own. 'This is delightful&mdash;to have you all to myself&mdash;my own child
+for the time.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth's usually cold unimpulsive nature was strongly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> moved; there is
+always something impressive and touching in the emotion of the aged. And
+Lady Myrtle, one felt by instinct, was rarely demonstrative.</p>
+
+<p>The girl looked up in her face, and there came a slight mistiness over
+the hazel eyes, which her new old friend seemed to know so well&mdash;oh so
+well!&mdash;the sight of them carried her back half a century; and, above
+all, when Jacinth began to speak, she felt as if all the intervening
+years were a dream, and that she was again a girl herself, listening to
+the voice of Jacinth Moreland.</p>
+
+<p>'I am so very pleased to come. I have been longing to see you again,'
+said her young guest. Thornley had discreetly withdrawn. 'And how lovely
+it is here! You don't know how I enjoy seeing flowers again like these.'</p>
+
+<p>'It <i>is</i> pretty, isn't it?' said Lady Myrtle, pleased by the frank
+admiration. 'In cold weather I am sometimes shut up a good deal, and my
+garden is my great delight. So I tried to make myself a little winter
+garden, you see. I have had to stay up here the last few days, but I
+hope to go about again as usual to-morrow. And of course I shall go down
+to luncheon and dinner to-day. I waited to ask you to come, my dear,
+till I was better. I could not have let you be all by yourself in the
+dining-room.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh,' exclaimed Jacinth, with sudden compunction, 'I should have asked
+if you were better. How could I forget?'</p>
+
+<p>'Why, you have not been two minutes here, my dear child. And I wrote
+that I was better. It was only a cold. But at my age, "only a cold" may
+come to be a great deal, and I have got into the way of taking care of
+myself, I scarcely know why; it is natural, I suppose, and after all,
+however alone one is, life is a gift. We must<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> not throw it away. I am
+not <i>quite</i> well yet'&mdash;she had coughed more than once while
+speaking&mdash;'but the weather is milder again.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' said Jacinth, 'a sort of St Martin's summer. I hope,' she added
+gently, 'you will let me wait upon you a little while I am here.
+Wouldn't you like the door shut?'</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle smiled. She liked the allusion to St Martin's summer; it
+seemed like a good omen. Was this bright young life, so strangely
+associated with her own youth, to bring back some spring-time to her
+winter?&mdash;was Jacinth to be a St Martin's summer to her?</p>
+
+<p>'Thank you,' she said. 'Yes, please shut the outer door. Poor old
+Thornley often thinks he has closed it when he hasn't; his hands are so
+rheumatic. I like the door into the conservatory left open. Yes, that's
+right. And now come and talk to me for a few minutes before you take off
+your things. There is still half an hour to luncheon. Tell me what you
+have been doing these last few days&mdash;busy at lessons? That fair-haired
+little sister of yours doesn't look as if she <i>over</i>worked.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth smiled.</p>
+
+<p>'No,' she said, 'I don't think Francie <i>over</i>works, but she does very
+well. The being at school has really been a good thing for her, for she
+feels herself that she is the better for emulation.'</p>
+
+<p>'And the Scarletts are gentlewomen, thorough gentlewomen,' said Lady
+Myrtle, musingly. 'That makes a difference. And I suppose a good many of
+the pupils are really nice&mdash;lady-like and refined?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' said Jacinth, readily. 'The boarders are all nice&mdash;some of them
+really as nice in every way as they can be,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> clever, too, and anxious to
+learn. I don't seem to know them quite as well as Frances does, for,
+somehow, I am not very quick at making friends,' and she looked up at
+Lady Myrtle with a slight questioning in her eyes. The confession did
+not sound very amiable. But the old lady nodded reassuringly.</p>
+
+<p>'Just as well or better that it should be so,' she said. 'Few friends
+and faithful has been my motto. Indeed, as for <i>great</i> friends I never
+had but one, and you know who that was, and I verily believe she never
+had any one as much to her as I was.' She sighed a little. 'Your sister
+is quite a child&mdash;a very nice child, I am sure, but she is not a
+Moreland at all. I have heard of some girls at Miss Scarlett's&mdash;let me
+see, who were they? What are the names of the ones you like best?'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth hesitated.</p>
+
+<p>'There are the&mdash;the Eves,' she said, 'two sisters, and the Beckinghams,
+and Miss Falmouth. She is almost too old for us.'</p>
+
+<p>But the Harpers she did not name, saying to herself that her aunt had
+advised her not to do so. In this she deceived herself. Miss Mildmay
+would never have counselled her direct avoidance of mention of the two
+girls whom Frances&mdash;and she herself in her heart&mdash;thought the most
+highly of among their companions.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle caught at the last name.</p>
+
+<p>'Falmouth,' she repeated. 'Yes, it must have been of her I heard. I know
+her aunt. Very nice people.'</p>
+
+<p>Then she went on to talk a little of Jacinth's own special tastes and
+studies, to ask what news the girls had last had from India, how often
+they wrote, and so on, to all of which Jacinth replied with her usual
+simple directness,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> for she felt perfectly at ease with her hostess. And
+the little reminiscences and allusions to the long-ago days when all the
+young interests of Jacinth Moreland and Myrtle Harper were shared
+together, with which the old lady's talk was so interspersed, in no way
+bored or wearied this girl of to-day, as it might have done some of her
+contemporaries. On the contrary, such allusions made Jacinth feel more
+on a level with her companion, and flattered her by showing her the
+confidence with which she was regarded.</p>
+
+<p>'I don't suppose she would speak of those past times to <i>any one</i> but
+me,' thought Jacinth proudly. 'Except, of course, perhaps to mamma.'</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;">
+<img src="images/i117.jpg" width="250" height="142" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;">
+<img src="images/i118.jpg" width="550" height="128" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>DELICATE GROUND.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The two days at Robin Redbreast passed most satisfactorily, and long
+before they came to an end Jacinth felt completely at home. It would
+have been almost impossible for her or for any girl not to feel grateful
+for Lady Myrtle's extreme kindness, but besides this, everything in the
+life suited Jacinth's peculiar character. She liked the perfect order,
+the completeness of the arrangements, just as&mdash;in very different
+surroundings&mdash;she liked and appreciated the same qualities in her aunt's
+sphere. Mere luxury or display would not have pleased her in the same
+way, and except in the one matter of flowers and all expenses connected
+with her garden, Lady Myrtle lived simply. The house itself, though in
+perfectly good taste, was decidedly plain; the furniture belonged to a
+severe and unluxurious date. The colouring was harmonious, but
+unobtrusive.</p>
+
+<p>But Jacinth thought it perfection. Her own room&mdash;the one which the old
+lady had specially chosen for her, and which she impressed upon her she
+must think of as appropriated to her&mdash;was exactly what she liked. The
+chintz hangings&mdash;pale pink rosebuds on a white ground&mdash;the quaint
+spindle-legged dressing-tables and chairs, the comfortably spacious but
+undecorated wardrobe of dark old mahogany, the three-cornered bookcases
+fitted in to the angles of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> walls with their lozenge-paned glass
+doors&mdash;all was just as she liked.</p>
+
+<p>'It's so beautifully <i>neat</i>,' she said to Lady Myrtle. 'I like a house
+to be almost primly neat. Frances says she's sure I shall be an old
+maid, and I daresay I shall be. I shouldn't mind, if I had a house of my
+own like this to live in.'</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle glanced at her with one of her peculiar but approving
+smiles.</p>
+
+<p>'That is another point in common between us,' she said. 'I have always
+felt like you, and when&mdash;let me see, it must be fully twenty years ago
+now&mdash;when, for the first time I really was perfectly free to furnish a
+house to suit myself, you see I carried out my own ideas.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, I thought Robin Redbreast was really old&mdash;furniture and all,' said
+Jacinth with a slight tone of disappointment.</p>
+
+<p>'So it is,' said Lady Myrtle. 'A good deal of it was here in the house,
+and I had it done up&mdash;and some things I brought from Goodacre. My
+brother-in-law who succeeded there kindly let me choose out things of my
+favourite date. And they did not suit Goodacre, which is very grand and
+heavy, and, to my mind, ugly.'</p>
+
+<p>'I know what you mean,' said Jacinth, eagerly&mdash;'enormous mirrors with
+huge gilt frames, and enormous gilt cornices over the window curtains,
+and great big patterns on the carpets. There was a house near Stannesley
+like that. It was interesting, something like an old palace, and grand;
+but I shouldn't like to live in a house of that kind.'</p>
+
+<p>'No, there seems nothing personal about it. One's own little self makes
+no impression; you feel that you are just passing through it for the
+time. Elvedon was rather like that,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> though the present tenants have
+managed to lighten it a good deal. But our other place&mdash;I mean my own
+family's place, up in the north, where I knew your dear
+grandmother&mdash;though not so grand, is much more homelike than Elvedon. My
+nephew and his wife live there when they are not in London. It is not so
+expensive as the place here.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth grew a little nervous and said exactly what she did not mean to
+say.</p>
+
+<p>'Are they not very rich, then?' and instantly blushed crimson, which
+Lady Myrtle took as an expression of fear lest she had been indiscreet.
+And she hastened to answer so as to put the girl at ease again.</p>
+
+<p>'No,' she said; 'far from it. But they will be better off some day, and
+it has been for their good that they have not been rich hitherto. The
+sins of the fathers are visited on the children, as you cannot fail to
+see for yourself, my dear, when you come to know more of life.' Lady
+Myrtle sighed. 'My poor brother Elvedon was very weak and foolish, led
+into all kinds of wild extravagance by&mdash;by another, much, much worse
+than he;' and here the old lady's face hardened. 'And naturally,' she
+went on, 'we&mdash;my father and I&mdash;dreaded what his son might turn out. Poor
+Elvedon, my nephew I mean, is far from a clever man, but he is sensible
+and steady, and so are his two sons. So, as I was saying, some day they
+will be better off.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth listened with the utmost attention. She was much gratified by
+her hostess's confidence, and relieved, too, that no mention had been
+made of any other Harper relatives.</p>
+
+<p>'Bessie and Margaret are not Lord Elvedon's daughters, of course,' she
+said to herself, 'so it does not seem as if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> they were near relations;
+perhaps, after all, they are not relations at all. So I don't see that I
+need bother my head about them; I might have mentioned them to Lady
+Myrtle among the girls at school without her noticing it, I daresay.'</p>
+
+<p>'This is too old talk for you, my dear,' said the old lady, after a
+little silence.</p>
+
+<p>'No, no indeed,' said Jacinth eagerly. 'I am so pleased you don't treat
+me as a child, dear Lady Myrtle. And I love to think of you and my
+grandmother long ago, when your families were almost relations, weren't
+they?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, truly&mdash;Jacinth and I often said we loved each other more than if
+we had been sisters. That reminds me, my dear, that nice little sister
+of yours must come to see me some day soon, and the boy too, the next
+time you come. When shall that be?'</p>
+
+<p>'Whenever you like, dear Lady Myrtle,' Jacinth replied.</p>
+
+<p>'Well then, supposing you come again in a fortnight&mdash;next Saturday week,
+that is to say. I will send for you as before, and the two children must
+come with you and stay till six or seven; then I will send them home
+again and you will remain with me till Monday morning. I must not be
+selfish, otherwise I would gladly have you every week. But that would
+not be fair to your aunt.'</p>
+
+<p>'It wouldn't matter so much for Aunt Alison,' said Jacinth; 'I really
+don't think she would mind. But Francie and Eugene would not like me to
+be away every Sunday.'</p>
+
+<p>'Then let us try to make it every other,' said Lady Myrtle. 'My dearest
+child,' and she pressed the girl's hand, 'how I wish I could have you
+with me altogether. But no, that would not do&mdash;it would not be a right
+life for her'&mdash;she seemed as if she were speaking to herself. 'Tell me,
+dear,'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> she went on, 'you do feel already <i>at home</i> at Robin Redbreast?
+I want you to learn to love the little place as well as its old
+owner&mdash;who can't be its owner for ever,' she added in a lower voice, so
+that less quick ears than Jacinth's would scarcely have caught the
+words.</p>
+
+<p>'I love it already dearly,' she replied. 'For your sake first of all, of
+course, but for its own too. I couldn't imagine a more perfect old house
+than it is.'</p>
+
+<p>They were walking in the garden, for the weather was mild and Lady
+Myrtle had been able to go to church that morning. It was Sunday and
+late afternoon. The long level rays of the evening sun fell on the large
+lawn&mdash;smooth and even as a bowling-green&mdash;along one side of which, on
+the broad terrace, the two were pacing up and down. Lady Myrtle stopped
+short, she was holding the girl's arm, and looked up at the windows,
+glinting cheerily in the red glow beginning to be reflected from the
+sky.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' she said, 'it really is a dear old place. And for any one who
+cared to fit it for a larger family there is plenty of space and
+convenience for extending it.'</p>
+
+<p>'It seems a very good size already,' said Jacinth, 'though of course I
+cannot judge very well.'</p>
+
+<p>'You must see it all,' said Lady Myrtle; 'the next time you come I hope
+I shall be quite well and able to show you all over it. No, it would
+scarcely need building to; but there are several rooms at the other side
+in rather an unfinished condition, because I really had no use for them.
+The last tenant was on the point of completing them when he left. He had
+a large family, and it was getting too small for them, but he
+unexpectedly came into a property elsewhere, and then my father gave me
+this place. There are some very nice rooms you have not seen. Have you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span>
+been in the one where my old pensioners come for their dinner every
+Saturday?'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>'That would make a capital billiard room,' Lady Myrtle went on, Jacinth
+listening to all she said with the greatest interest. 'Indeed, Robin
+Redbreast has everything needed for a comfortable roomy house. It is too
+large for me, unless I had a good many visitors. When your father and
+mother come from India, Jacinth, I must have you all to stay with me.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth's eyes sparkled.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh how delightful that would be!' she said. 'I have often thought how
+they will miss Stannesley when they come home. For it is let for a long
+time. And wasn't it funny, Lady Myrtle, that last morning when we were
+saying good-bye to Uncle Marmy at the gate, we looked in at this garden,
+and said how lovely it would be if papa and mamma had come home, and we
+were all living together in a house like this! And to think it <i>may</i>
+come true, if you ask us all to stay with you.'</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle stroked Jacinth's hand fondly.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, dear,' she said, 'it may come true, and I trust it will.'</p>
+
+<p>This conversation took place, as I said, on the Sunday afternoon. Very
+early the next morning the brougham took Jacinth back to Market Square
+Place, in time for her to start for school with Frances at their usual
+hour.</p>
+
+<p>Frances did not receive with rapturous delight the news of her
+invitation to Robin Redbreast.</p>
+
+<p>'Must I go?' she said. 'Wouldn't it do for just Eugene to go with you,
+Jacinth? He would enjoy it.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, I should,' said Eugene, 'pertickerly if we have some of those
+little brown cakes for tea.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Eugene,' said Frances in a tone of disgust, 'I'm sure Lady Myrtle would
+not have asked you if she had known you were such a greedy little boy.'</p>
+
+<p>They were in the dining-room waiting for their aunt, who, for once, was
+a few minutes late for dinner. Just then she came in. She greeted
+Jacinth pleasantly, and seemed glad to hear that she had enjoyed
+herself. Then she was told of the invitation for the following week, and
+Frances appealed to her to say she 'needn't go.' But Frances's hopes
+were speedily disappointed.</p>
+
+<p>'Not go!' said Miss Mildmay; 'of course you must go. It would be most
+ungrateful to Lady Myrtle, and would, besides, put Jacinth in a very
+disagreeable position. You are the grand-daughter of Lady Myrtle's old
+friend as well as Jacinth, even though her special interest may be in
+Jacinth.'</p>
+
+<p>'It would make me look so selfish too,' said Jacinth, who, now that she
+felt sure of her own place with the old lady, was far from wishing to
+deprive Frances of her share in the pleasures and advantages of their
+acquaintance with Robin Redbreast.</p>
+
+<p>So Frances had to give in.</p>
+
+<p>And when the day came she enjoyed the visit, on the whole, very much.</p>
+
+<p>'If only,' she said to herself before starting, 'if only I could have
+got mamma's letter in answer to mine before going. I would have known
+then exactly how to do about the Harpers. Of course I can't tell
+stories, and <i>they</i> would never have wanted me to do that. I only hope
+nothing will be said about school or about anything to do with them.'</p>
+
+<p>Then she tried to recall the exact words of Camilla<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> Harper's letter, by
+this time two-thirds on its way to India to her mother.</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth said nothing at all about the Harpers in connection with Lady
+Myrtle, and Frances began to think her sister had forgotten all about
+the question of their possible relationship, which in the meantime at
+least the younger girl was not sorry for.</p>
+
+<p>It was again a lovely day&mdash;the weather seemed to favour the visits to
+Robin Redbreast&mdash;even milder than the Saturday of Jacinth's first stay
+there. And this time, instead of the brougham, a large roomy pony
+carriage came to fetch them, a spring cart having already called for
+Jacinth's portmanteau that morning.</p>
+
+<p>'How lovely!' said Frances, as she and Eugene took their seats with
+great satisfaction opposite her sister and the coachman; 'I am so glad
+it is an open carriage. I wish Lady Myrtle would send us home in it
+again this evening: don't you, Eugene?'</p>
+
+<p>'I'm sure her ladyship will be quite pleased to do so, miss, if you just
+mention that you would like it,' said the man, a staid unexceptionable
+old servant, though many years younger than Thornley.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh well, I will. I may, mayn't I, Jass?' said Frances, her eyes
+sparkling with pleasure, only damped by Jacinth's grave expression. Did
+Jass think she was chattering too much already? High spirits were
+Francie's native air: it was very difficult for her to be quiet and
+subdued for long together. But Jacinth really loved to see Frances
+happy, and she knew that Lady Myrtle would feel the same.</p>
+
+<p>'She thinks her such a mere child,' thought the elder girl. So she
+smiled reassuringly as she replied: 'Of course, dear,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> you can ask Lady
+Myrtle. I am sure she won't mind if it keeps fine; and there is no sign
+of rain, is there?' she said turning to the coachman.</p>
+
+<p>'No indeed, ma'am,' he replied. 'We shall have no rain just yet a bit.'</p>
+
+<p>'It's a <i>perfect</i> day,' said Frances. 'I really sometimes think I like
+autumn as well as spring.'</p>
+
+<p>'I have always liked it much better,' said Jacinth calmly.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle was walking up and down the terrace, waiting for them. She
+was much better&mdash;for her, indeed, quite well&mdash;she said, and her face
+lighted up with pleasure as she kissed Jacinth tenderly. Then she turned
+to the younger ones and kissed them too.</p>
+
+<p>'I must have a good look at you, Frances,' she said. 'No&mdash;you are not a
+Moreland, and yet&mdash;yes, there is a slight <i>something</i>&mdash;in spite of your
+blue eyes and shaggy hair,' and she patted Frances's head. 'And you, my
+boy;' and she examined Eugene in his turn. 'His eyes are more like his
+grandmother's; nothing approaching your eyes, Jacinth, but still they
+are more of the colour.'</p>
+
+<p>'Eugene is very like mamma,' said Frances eagerly. 'Everybody says so.'</p>
+
+<p>'And I'm called after her,' added Eugene.</p>
+
+<p>'So that's quite as it should be,' said Lady Myrtle. 'And some day I
+hope I may have the great pleasure of comparing mamma and her boy
+together. Now dears, listen to my plan&mdash;would you like to go a drive
+this afternoon, or would you rather play about the garden and the little
+farm? I mean Frances and Eugene&mdash;Jacinth, of course, is quite at home
+here.'</p>
+
+<p>The two younger ones looked at each other.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Oh please,' said Frances, 'if we may go home in the open carriage, I
+think that would be enough driving. And&mdash;it's so long since we've had a
+nice big place to run about in, and&mdash;pigs and cows, you know, like at
+home? Wouldn't you like that best, Eugene?'</p>
+
+<p>'May we see the cows milked?' said Eugene, prudently making his
+conditions, 'and, oh please, if we find any eggs, <i>might</i> we take one
+home for breakfast to-morrow?'</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle looked much amused.</p>
+
+<p>'I will put you under Barnes's charge,' she said. 'Barnes is the
+under-gardener, and whatever he lets you do will be quite right. You and
+I, Jacinth, will have a long drive to-morrow, as I always go to Elvedon
+church once a month, and to-morrow is the day. So I daresay you will
+manage to entertain yourself at home to-day. We can go through the
+houses in the afternoon.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, thank you,' said Jacinth. 'And the house&mdash;you said you would show
+me all over the house, dear Lady Myrtle.'</p>
+
+<p>'Of course; that will amuse Frances and Eugene too, I daresay, when they
+have had enough running about. Now your sister will go with you to your
+room to take her things off;' and as the two set off, she added
+playfully, 'Jacinth has a room of her very own here, you know, Frances.'</p>
+
+<p>The younger girl was breathless with interest and pleasure, and the
+first sight of the interior of the quaint old house&mdash;above all, of the
+lovely conservatory, past which Jacinth took care to convoy
+her&mdash;impressed her as much as her sister.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh Jass,' she said, when they found themselves in the pleasant, rather
+'old-world-looking' bedroom, where a tiny wood-fire sparkling in the
+grate gave a cheery feeling of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> welcome as they entered&mdash;'Oh Jass, isn't
+it like a <i>dream</i>? That we should really be here in this dear old house,
+treated almost as if we were Lady Myrtle's own grandchildren, and you
+staying here, and this called your room, and&mdash;and'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>She stopped, at a loss for words to express her feelings.</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth smiled, well pleased.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' she said, 'it really is like a fairy-tale. And'&mdash;&mdash;She hesitated
+a little. 'You don't know, Francie, what more may not come. Do you
+remember our saying that morning to Marmy, how lovely it would be if
+some day we had a house like this for our home, and how he and we would
+pay visits to each other?'</p>
+
+<p>Frances's face grew rather pink.</p>
+
+<p>'Do you mean if,' she said, her voice growing lower and lower&mdash;'if Lady
+Myrtle <i>left</i> it to us, to you? I don't like, Jass, to'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, how matter-of-fact you are!' said Jacinth impatiently; 'I don't
+mean anything but what I say. Lady Myrtle says she is going to invite us
+all&mdash;papa and mamma and us three&mdash;to stay with her when they come home,
+and it's a very big house, and she has no relations she cares for. It
+might get to be almost like our home. And Lady Myrtle is the sort of
+person that often speaks of getting old and&mdash;and dying. I daresay she
+makes plans for what she'd like to be done with her things&mdash;I know I
+should&mdash;though I hope she'll live twenty years, and I daresay she will,
+dear old thing.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances would have accepted this simply enough, and after all, Jacinth
+felt as she said. The thought that 'some day' Robin Redbreast might be
+her home would be quite enough for her, and she already loved her kind
+old friend sincerely. But one sentence in her sister's speech startled
+Frances with a quick sharp stab: 'No relations that she cares for.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Somehow, in the pleasure and excitement of coming to Robin Redbreast,
+she had forgotten about the Harpers. Now all her old feelings of
+chivalry for them, and wishes that she could be the means of helping
+them, rushed back upon her, and she felt as if she had, in some queer
+way, been faithless, even though she was debarred from doing anything,
+debarred even from telling Jacinth all she knew. And Frances was
+unaccustomed to hide her feelings; her face at once grew grave and
+almost distressed looking.</p>
+
+<p>'What is the matter, Frances?' said Jacinth. 'You are such a kill-joy.
+What are you looking so reproachful about?'</p>
+
+<p>'I didn't mean&mdash;I'm not looking reproachful,' said Frances; 'it was
+only&mdash;oh, just something of my own I was thinking of.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well then, I wish you would think of something cheerful, and not screw
+your face up as if you were going to cry. I don't want Lady Myrtle to
+think we've been quarrelling up here.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances swallowed down a lump in her throat, which was far too apt to
+come there on small provocation.</p>
+
+<p>'Of course Lady Myrtle would never think such a thing, or if she did,
+she would only think I was naughty or silly or something. She'd never
+dream of <i>you</i> being anything but perfect, Jass. I do like her for
+that,' said Frances.</p>
+
+<p>'You should like her for everything. I'm sure she's as kind as she can
+possibly be,' said Jacinth.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' said Frances, 'she is.'</p>
+
+<p>Then they ran down-stairs again to the library, where Lady Myrtle had
+told them she would be. They found her improving her acquaintance with
+Eugene, who was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> chattering away in a most confiding and friendly
+fashion, even retailing to her his self-congratulation at having been
+the first cause of their making friends.</p>
+
+<p>'For you see if I hadn't been so fir&mdash;<i>wursty</i>,' with a great effort,
+'that day, and <i>made</i> Jacinth let me ask; no,' suddenly recollecting
+himself, 'she didn't let me, but you heard me over the wall, Lady
+Myrtle; that was it, wasn't it? So it did come of me being wursty,
+didn't it?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, my dear, of course it did,' the old lady replied, with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>But just then the luncheon gong sounded and they all made their way into
+the dining-room. All went well till about half-way through the meal,
+when a sudden thought struck Lady Myrtle.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh Jacinth, my dear,' she said, 'I was forgetting to tell you. Your
+young friend at school, Honor Falmouth, <i>is</i> the niece of my friend. I
+was writing to her husband the other day about a business matter&mdash;he is
+one of my trustees&mdash;and I asked the question. I thought it would
+interest you to hear it.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' said Jacinth, 'of course it does. She is a very nice girl indeed,
+but she is a good deal older than I. She plays beautifully, and next
+term she is going somewhere&mdash;to Germany, I think&mdash;for the best music
+lessons she can have. Did you play the harp, when you were a girl, Lady
+Myrtle?' she went on rather eagerly. She was vaguely anxious to change
+the conversation, for she had still a half-nervous fear of Frances's
+indiscretion should the subject of their school-fellows be entered upon.</p>
+
+<p>'The harp!' repeated Lady Myrtle, half-absently; 'no, my love, I never
+was very musical. But your grandmother sang charmingly.' And Jacinth,
+believing she was launched<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> on long-ago reminiscences, began to breathe
+freely, when suddenly the old lady reverted to the former topic.</p>
+
+<p>'How much older than you is Honor?' she inquired.</p>
+
+<p>'About three years. I think she is eighteen, but I'm not quite sure,'
+said Jacinth.</p>
+
+<p>'I was wondering,' said Lady Myrtle, 'if she would like to come to
+luncheon some day when you are with me. Or is there any other among your
+friends you care more for?'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' said Jacinth, 'I think I like Honor as much as any.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances was listening with the greatest interest; her mouth half-open,
+her knife and fork suspended in their operations. Lady Myrtle caught
+sight of her absorbed face and smiled.</p>
+
+<p>'Have <i>you</i> any friend you would like to ask to come here some day?' she
+said, kindly. 'If it were summer it would be different; we might have a
+strawberry feast.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances grew crimson, painfully crimson.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh <i>how</i> silly she is!' thought Jacinth.</p>
+
+<p>'Thank you,' stammered Frances. 'I&mdash;I don't know. I don't think so.'</p>
+
+<p>'Come, you must think it over,' said Lady Myrtle, imagining the child
+was consumed with shyness. 'Who are your favourite friends, or have you
+any special favourites?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' replied Frances, in an agony, increased by the consciousness of
+Jacinth's eye, but fully remembering, too, that in replying truthfully
+she was violating no confidence; 'yes, I'm much the fondest of Bessie
+and Margaret, but they mightn't come. I don't think it would be any use
+inviting any of them, except a big one like Honor, thank you.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Ah! well I know Miss Scarlett is strict, and rightly so, I daresay,'
+said the old lady. 'Who are these friends of yours&mdash;Bessie and Margaret
+what?'</p>
+
+<p>'Bessie and Margaret Harper,' said Frances, bluntly; 'that's their
+name.'</p>
+
+<p>A look of perplexity crossed Lady Myrtle's face. 'Harper,' she repeated.
+'Bessie and Margaret Harper. No, I never heard of them. But
+still'&mdash;&mdash;And the lines on her face seemed visibly to harden. 'Ah well,
+I will only ask Honor Falmouth then. You must see about it, Jacinth, and
+let me know when I should write to her or to Miss Scarlett.'</p>
+
+<p>And then they talked of other things, Jacinth exerting herself doubly,
+to prevent Lady Myrtle's noticing Frances's silence and constraint. But
+afterwards, when they were by themselves for a moment, she took her
+sister to task.</p>
+
+<p>'Why did you speak of the Harpers?' she said; 'and why, still worse, if
+you thought you shouldn't have named them, did you look so silly and
+ashamed as if you had done something wrong? I daresay you felt
+uncomfortable because, as Aunt Alison said, there have been such
+disagreeables in Lady Myrtle's family, and these Harpers may be some
+relations of hers. But&mdash;couldn't you have managed not to mention them?'</p>
+
+<p>Frances looked quite as distressed as Jacinth could have expected&mdash;or
+more so. 'I'm sure I didn't mean to speak of them,' she said. Her
+meekness disarmed Jacinth.</p>
+
+<p>'Well never mind,' she said reassuringly. 'I daresay Lady Myrtle didn't
+notice; at least, if she did, she couldn't have thought you knew
+anything about her family affairs. <i>I</i> don't want to hear about them;
+I'd rather not know<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> what sort of relations the Harpers are, or if
+they're any. Don't think any more about them.'</p>
+
+<p>And with this, Frances had to be or to appear content. But besides the
+little Jacinth knew, she had her own sorer feelings. Though Bessie and
+Margaret had scrupulously carried out the advice, Frances could see,
+they had received from home, and while as affectionate as ever to her,
+refrained from the very slightest allusion to family affairs or even to
+Robin Redbreast, yet, now that her eyes were opened as it were, Frances
+noticed many things that had not struck her before. As the season
+advanced and the weather grew colder, most of the girls appeared in new
+and comfortably warmer garments, for Thetford stands high and is a
+'bracing' place. Well-lined ulsters, fur-trimmed jackets, muffs and
+boas, were the order of the day. But not so for Bessie and Margaret.
+They wore the same somewhat threadbare serges; the same not very
+substantial gray tweeds on Sundays, which had done duty since they came
+to school; the same little black cloth jackets out-of-doors, with only
+the addition of a knitted 'cross-over' underneath. And one day, admiring
+Frances's pretty muff, and congratulating her on the immunity from
+chilblains it must afford, poor little Margaret confided to her
+impulsively that she had never possessed such a treasure in her life.</p>
+
+<p>'It is one of the things I have always wished for so,' she said simply,
+'though these woollen gloves that Camilla knits us are really very
+good.'</p>
+
+<p>Then on another occasion both sisters consulted their friend on a most
+important matter. It was going to be mother's birthday. They <i>must</i> send
+her something; they had never been away from her on her birthday before,
+and at home one could always make something or find out what she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> wanted
+a good while before, so as to prepare. <i>Could</i> Frances think of
+anything? She must be used to thinking of things that could go by post
+because of her mother being in India; only&mdash;and here Bessie's eager face
+flushed a little, and Margaret's grave eyes grew graver&mdash;'you see it
+mustn't cost much; that's the worst of it.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances tried not to look too sympathising.</p>
+
+<p>'I know,' she said. 'I quite understand, for of course we haven't ever
+much money to spend. I will try to think of something.'</p>
+
+<p>And for once she thoroughly enlisted Jacinth's sympathy for her friends.
+Possibly, far down in Jacinth's heart, candid and loyal by nature, lay a
+consciousness that, notwithstanding the plausible and, to a certain
+extent, sound reasons for not meddling in other people's affairs, and
+for refraining from all 'Harper' allusions to Lady Myrtle, she was going
+farther than she needed in her avoidance of these girls, in her
+determination not to know anything about their family or their possible
+connection with her old lady. Her conscience was not entirely at rest.
+And in a curious undefined way she was now and then grateful for
+Frances's ready kindness to Bessie and Margaret: it seemed a vicarious
+making up for the something which she felt she herself was withholding.
+And this little appeal touched her sympathy; so that with a good deal of
+tact&mdash;more tact than Frances, blunt and blundering, could have
+shown&mdash;she helped to suggest and carry out a really charming little
+birthday present, most of the materials for which she had 'by her,'
+lying useless, only asking to be made into something.</p>
+
+<p>Never had Bessie Harper felt so ready to make a friend of the
+undemonstrative girl; never had Francie herself felt more drawn to her
+elder sister.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And the little present was carefully packed and sent off; and the tender
+mother's letter of thanks, when it came, was read to the Mildmays as but
+their due, and for a while it seemed as if the friendship was to extend
+from a trio into a quartette!</p>
+
+<p>But alas! a very few days after the cheery letter from Southcliff,
+Frances, spending a holiday afternoon at Ivy Lodge, as often happened,
+especially when Jacinth was with Lady Myrtle, found Bessie Harper pale
+and anxious, and Margaret's eyes suspiciously red. What was the matter?</p>
+
+<p>'We didn't want to tell you about our home troubles,' said Bessie. 'I'm
+sure it's better not, because of&mdash;you know what. But I must tell you a
+little. It's&mdash;it's a letter from Camilla. Father has been so much worse
+lately, and they didn't want to tell us. They hoped it was only
+rheumatism with the cold weather. But&mdash;mother managed to get him up to
+London to see the great doctor, and&mdash;he gave a very bad report.'</p>
+
+<p>Here Bessie's voice failed.</p>
+
+<p>'He's not going to die?&mdash;oh don't say that!' burst out Frances in her
+heedless way.</p>
+
+<p>Margaret flung out her hands wildly.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh Bessie,' she cried, 'is that what it really means?'</p>
+
+<p>Bessie looked almost angrily at Frances.</p>
+
+<p>'No, no,' she exclaimed; 'of course not. Frances, why did you say that?
+Margaret, you are so fanciful. Of course it is not that. It is just that
+the doctor says his leg is getting stiffer and stiffer, and unless
+something can be done&mdash;some treatment in London first, and afterwards a
+course of German baths&mdash;he is afraid dad must become <i>quite</i> a
+cripple&mdash;quite helpless. And that would be dreadful. It's bad enough
+when people are rich'&mdash;it was sad to hear the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> old sad 'refrain' of
+poverty, from lips so young&mdash;'but when they're poor! Oh no, I can't face
+the thoughts of it. What would his life be if he could never get out&mdash;he
+is so active in spite of his lameness&mdash;if he had to lie always in his
+poky little room? How would darling mother bear it?'</p>
+
+<p>And then brave Bessie herself broke down and fled away to the
+house&mdash;they were in the garden&mdash;to hide herself till she had recovered
+some degree of calm.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 228px;">
+<img src="images/i136.jpg" width="228" height="300" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;">
+<img src="images/i137.jpg" width="550" height="133" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE INDIAN MAIL.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Frances went home that evening feeling very unhappy and terribly full of
+sympathy, while painfully conscious the while that as yet she must not
+unburden herself to any one, not even to Jacinth, of her whole thoughts
+and feelings in connection with the Harpers. And in any case she could
+not have done so, for Jacinth was away at Robin Redbreast till Monday.</p>
+
+<p>They met at school on Monday morning, but it was not till they were on
+their way home at dinner-time that the sisters had any opportunity of
+speaking to each other. Jacinth was looking almost brilliantly well,
+and, for her, Frances saw in a moment, in extremely good spirits. No
+wonder&mdash;every time she went to Lady Myrtle, the old lady showed her
+increasing signs of affection and goodwill: she almost hinted that she
+wished the girl to think of herself as in a sense adopted by her.</p>
+
+<p>'Francie,' said the elder sister, when they at last found themselves
+alone, 'I have something so lovely to show you,' and she drew out a
+little velvet-covered case from her pocket. 'See&mdash;this is what dear Lady
+Myrtle has given me; isn't it splendid?'</p>
+
+<p>The 'it' was a small and evidently valuable watch. The back was
+enamelled and set with diamonds, in the form<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> of a 'J.' It was somewhat
+old-fashioned, enough to enhance its beauty and uncommonness, and
+Frances gazed at it in breathless admiration.</p>
+
+<p>'It was Lady Myrtle's own,' explained Jacinth. 'She told me that she and
+our grandmother once had a fancy&mdash;rather a silly one, I think, though I
+didn't say so&mdash;for having each other's initial on their things&mdash;things
+like this, I mean. So when somebody gave them each a watch, two the
+same, they exchanged them. Lady Myrtle doesn't know what became of our
+grandmother's, but she thinks it was lost or stolen, otherwise mother
+would have had it. And she has not worn this for ever so long. She says
+she always hoped that <i>some</i> day she'd find somebody belonging to
+grandmother. Oh Francie, isn't it a good thing I was called "Jacinth?"'</p>
+
+<p>Frances murmured something in reply; her eyes were fixed on the watch.</p>
+
+<p>'The works are first-rate&mdash;<i>better</i> than they make them now,' Jacinth
+continued; 'and Lady Myrtle has had it thoroughly overhauled by her own
+watchmaker in London, so she's sure it'll go perfectly, with any one
+careful; and I am careful, am I not, Francie? Lady Myrtle says she could
+see I was, almost the first time she spoke to me.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' said Frances, absently, 'I am sure you are, and I am sure Lady
+Myrtle thinks you almost perfect.'</p>
+
+<p>But still she gazed at the watch, as if it half-mesmerised her.</p>
+
+<p>'I've felt in such a hurry to tell you about it&mdash;to show it to you,'
+said Jacinth. 'It seemed to be burning a hole in my pocket, as they say.
+I did so wish I could have shown it to some of the girls, but I thought
+it was better not.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>This last remark seemed to arouse Frances.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' she agreed heartily, 'I think it was much better not.' Then,
+after a moment or two's silence, 'I wonder how much it is worth?' she
+went on; 'ten or twenty pounds, I daresay?'</p>
+
+<p>'Ten or twenty!' repeated Jacinth; 'oh, much more than that. Forty or
+fifty at least, I should say.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances gasped.</p>
+
+<p>'What a lot of things one could do with as much money as that!' she
+said. 'I daresay it would be enough to&mdash;to'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'To what?' said Jacinth, a little impatience in her tone.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh&mdash;only something I was thinking of&mdash;some one who's ill and can't do
+what the doctor says,' replied Frances, confusedly.</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth felt irritated.</p>
+
+<p>'I don't understand you, Frances,' she said. 'Do you want to take away
+my pleasure in my watch? I've never had one before, you know, and lots
+of girls have watches, quite young. Of course I know the value of it
+would do lots of things&mdash;make some poor family quite rich for a year.
+But when you get a new frock of some good stuff and nicely made, I don't
+say to you that you might have had it of common print, run up anyhow,
+and spent the rest on poor people. You don't see things fairly,
+Frances.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances recognised the sense of Jacinth's argument, but she could not
+explain herself.</p>
+
+<p>'I didn't mean that exactly,' she said. 'I know there have to be degrees
+of things&mdash;rich and poor, and I suppose it's not wrong to be rich,
+if&mdash;if one doesn't get selfish.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> That isn't what I meant. I'm very
+pleased you've got the watch, Jass, and I wish I hadn't said that.'</p>
+
+<p>'I wish you hadn't too,' said her sister. 'It has taken away a good deal
+of my pleasure; and somehow, Frances, very often now, I don't understand
+you. I know you are never the least jealous, you haven't it in you, but
+yet you don't seem to like to see me happy. I could almost think you are
+what Aunt Alison would call "morbid."'</p>
+
+<p>'I don't think I know what that means,' said Frances, sadly, though she
+had a sort of idea what Jacinth wished to express.</p>
+
+<p>'Sometimes,' continued Jacinth, 'I have a feeling that other girls have
+come between you and me. If it could be&mdash;if I really thought it was the
+Harpers, though they do seem nice, I would almost hate them. One way and
+another, they do seem to have been the cause of a lot of worry.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh Jass, it isn't their fault&mdash;truly it isn't,' pleaded Frances, almost
+in tears. 'I haven't been very happy lately, but indeed it isn't that
+I'm changed to you. Perhaps after a while you'll understand me better.
+If only mamma was at home'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'It's no good wishing for that,' replied Jacinth. 'And you are so queer,
+I really don't know if you'd be pleased if things did happen to make
+mamma come home. I was going to tell you some things,' she added
+mysteriously, 'but I think I'd better not.'</p>
+
+<p>And, to her surprise, her hints, instead of whetting her sister's
+curiosity, seemed rather to alarm her.</p>
+
+<p>'No,' she agreed, 'if it's anything about Lady&mdash;&mdash;or, or <i>plans</i>, I'd
+rather not know. I hate any sort of secret.'</p>
+
+<p>She said the last few words almost roughly, and Jacinth,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> in spite of
+her irritation, felt sorry for her. It was evident that poor little
+Frances had something on her mind. But the elder sister did not invite
+her confidence.</p>
+
+<p>'I believe it <i>has</i> to do with these girls,' she thought, 'and if it
+has, I don't want to know it. So Frances and I are quits; she doesn't
+want my secrets and I don't want hers. Honor Falmouth says it is
+uncertain if the Harpers will stay after Christmas. I'm sure I hope they
+won't. Frances would forget all about them once they were away. She is
+such a baby.'</p>
+
+<p>But her own words had suggested some comfort to Frances. 'If only mamma
+were here!' she had said. And suddenly she remembered that though mamma
+herself could not be hoped for, a letter&mdash;a letter in answer to her own
+long one enclosing Camilla Harper's&mdash;would soon be due.</p>
+
+<p>'It is five&mdash;no, six weeks since I sent it,' she thought joyfully. 'I
+must hear soon. And then I do hope mamma will say it is best to tell
+Jass all about it, whether Jass is vexed with me or not; and even if
+there's <i>no</i> chance of making Lady Myrtle kind to them, I'd far rather
+Jass knew all I know.'</p>
+
+<p>She sighed, but there was relief in her sigh. And when in another moment
+she began talking cheerfully about Jacinth's visit, and all she had done
+at Robin Redbreast, her sister almost decided that she herself had been
+fanciful and exaggerated about Frances&mdash;making mountains out of
+molehills. Jacinth was very anxious to take this view of things; it was
+much more comfortable to think that the Harpers had had nothing to do
+with Frances's fits of depression.</p>
+
+<p>'And after all,' thought Jacinth, 'why should we bother about them? As
+likely as not they're no relation to Lady<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> Myrtle, or so distant that it
+doesn't count. And it's really not our business.'</p>
+
+<p>It is seldom the case that a looked-for letter&mdash;especially from a great
+distance&mdash;arrives when hoped for. And Frances had hoped for her mother's
+reply by the very first date possible.</p>
+
+<p>She was not disappointed. They came&mdash;a good fat letter for her, a
+thinner one for Jacinth. They lay on the hall table one day when the
+girls came home from school; having arrived by the mid-day post, in
+which Thetford now rejoiced.</p>
+
+<p>Frances seized her letter, her cheeks flushing with excitement.</p>
+
+<p>'What a thick letter you've got this time!' said Jacinth. But Frances
+scarcely heard her.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, I do so hope I shall have time to read it before dinner!' she said.</p>
+
+<p>'You've half&mdash;no, twenty-five minutes,' said Jacinth. 'Run and get ready
+first; it won't take you any time, and then you can read your letter in
+peace. That's what I'm going to do.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances took her sister's advice, and she managed to make her appearance
+in the dining-room punctually, the precious letter in her pocket, its
+contents already digested. She was rosier than usual, and Jacinth, who
+knew her ways so well, could see that she was struggling to keep down
+her excitement. Jacinth herself was not sorry when dinner was over and
+she was free to talk to Frances, after answering a question or two from
+her aunt about their Indian news.</p>
+
+<p>'Frances,' said her sister, when they found themselves in their own
+little sitting-room, 'mamma tells me that she has written a good deal
+more to you this time than to me, as there was something particular you
+asked her about. And she says you will tell it me all, or show me her
+letter.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 439px;">
+<img src="images/i143.jpg" width="439" height="600" alt="Jacinth&#39;s brows contracted, and the lines of her delicate
+face hardened, but she said nothing." title="" />
+<span class="caption">Jacinth&#39;s brows contracted, and the lines of her delicate
+face hardened, but she said nothing.</span>
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Frances drew out her packet.</p>
+
+<p>'There's more than one letter there, surely,' said Jacinth, with some
+curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' said Frances, 'there's one I sent on to mamma to read, and she's
+sent it back, so that you can see it now. I daresay you'll be angry with
+me for not having told you about it before, but I can't help it if you
+are. Mamma says I did the best I could; but I am so glad for you to know
+all about it now,' and she gave a great sigh.</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth, more and more curious, took the letters which Frances gave her,
+and began to read them eagerly. Rather unfortunately, the first she
+began was Camilla Harper's, and she went to the end of it in spite of
+Frances's 'Oh, do read mamma's first, Jass.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth's brows contracted, and the lines of her delicate face hardened,
+but she said nothing&mdash;nothing really audible, that is to say, though a
+murmur escaped her of, 'I knew it had something to do with them; it is
+too bad.'</p>
+
+<p>When she had finished, she looked up at her sister.</p>
+
+<p>'There is a good deal more for you to explain,' she said, coldly. 'Mamma
+says you will do so&mdash;not that I want to hear it. And as you have got so
+thoroughly in the way of having secrets from me, and now that you have
+friends you care for more than me, I really don't see why I need to be
+mixed up in this affair at all.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh Jass, dear Jass, don't speak like that,' exclaimed Frances, the
+ever-ready tears starting to her eyes. 'I couldn't help it. Read again
+what mamma says.'</p>
+
+<p>'I know what she says,' Jacinth replied. 'I don't need<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> to read it
+again. I am waiting for you to tell me the whole.'</p>
+
+<p>It was difficult, but Frances was eager to re-establish confidence with
+her sister. She told the whole&mdash;even how the old Christmas card in her
+pocket had brought up the subject of Robin Redbreast, and how Bessie had
+asked her to tell no one but her mother, if she could help it; then how
+Camilla's letter had repeated this, ending up by what had recently come
+to her knowledge of the increased troubles of the Harper family.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh Jass,' she concluded, 'if we could help them somehow. I am so glad
+mamma has met that aunt of theirs&mdash;<i>isn't</i> it lucky? Perhaps she'll be
+able now to manage something without vexing Captain and Mrs Harper.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth lifted her head and looked at Frances. She was paler than usual.</p>
+
+<p>'I really do think you must be a sort of an idiot,' she said.
+'Otherwise, I should be forced to believe you had no real family
+affection at all. Surely the Harpers might teach you to have <i>that</i>,
+however much mischief they have made in other ways.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances stared at her, dumb with perplexity.</p>
+
+<p>'What <i>do</i> you mean, Jacinth?' she said at last.</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth for once lost her self-control.</p>
+
+<p>'Do you not care for your own father and mother to get anything good?'
+she said. 'Papa's life has been hard enough&mdash;so has ours&mdash;separated
+almost ever since we can remember from our parents. And it is all a
+question of money, to put it plainly, though it is horrid of you to
+force me to say it. Do you think papa, who is far from a young man now,
+stays out in that climate for pleasure&mdash;wearing himself out to be sure
+of his pension? And if Lady Myrtle chooses<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> to treat <i>us</i> as her
+relations&mdash;mamma, the daughter of her dearest friend&mdash;instead of the son
+of that bad, wretched brother of hers&mdash;why shouldn't she? And you would
+ruin everything by silly interference in behalf of people we have
+nothing to do with: very likely you'd do no good to <i>them</i>, and only
+offend her for ever with us. Do you understand <i>now</i> what I mean?'</p>
+
+<p>Frances was trembling, but she would not cry.</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma does not see it that way,' she said. 'She is pleased and
+delighted at Lady Myrtle being so kind, but she <i>does</i> care about the
+Harpers too. Read what she says,' and Frances hurriedly unfolded the
+letter again till she found the passage she wanted.</p>
+
+<p>This was what Mrs Mildmay said, after expressing her sympathy with all
+Frances had told her, and advising her now to tell the whole to Jacinth.
+'I remember vaguely about the Harper family in the old days,' she wrote.
+'I know that Lady Myrtle's two brothers caused her much trouble,
+especially the younger, really embittering her life. But for many years
+I have heard nothing of her or any of the family till just now, for a
+curious coincidence has happened. A few days before I got your long
+letter, enclosing Miss Harper's, and dear Jacinth's too, telling of her
+invitation to Robin Redbreast, I had met a Mrs Lyle, whose husband has
+got an appointment here. And Mrs Lyle is Captain Harper's sister. I like
+her very much, and we have already made great friends. She is very
+frank, and devoted to her brother and his family; and when she heard of
+my children being at Thetford, in talking, one thing led to another, so
+that I really knew all you tell me&mdash;and perhaps more. It will be rather
+difficult for you and Jacinth&mdash;for Jassie especially&mdash;to avoid all
+appearance of interference,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> as that would do harm on both sides. But
+still you may find opportunities of speaking warmly and admiringly of
+the Harper girls, whenever your school happens to be mentioned. That can
+do <i>no</i> harm, and may even help to pave the way for bringing about a
+better state of things some day. For I do feel most interested in the
+Harpers, and every time we meet, Mrs Lyle and I talk about them, and all
+the troubles they have really so nobly borne.'</p>
+
+<p>Then Mrs Mildmay went on to speak of her pleasure in her children's
+having won Lady Myrtle's kindness, adding that she would look forward
+eagerly to the next letters, telling of Jacinth's visit.</p>
+
+<p>'Marmy says,' she wrote, 'that it must have been a presentiment which
+made you all take such a fancy to that quaint old house, even though you
+only saw it from the outside.'</p>
+
+<p>All this Frances read again boldly to her sister. Jacinth did not
+interrupt her, but listened in silence.</p>
+
+<p>'Well,' she said, when Frances stopped, 'I told you I had read all mamma
+said.'</p>
+
+<p>'Then why are you so angry with me?' demanded Frances bluntly. 'If I am
+a sort of an idiot, mamma is too.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth did not reply.</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma says you are not to attempt to interfere,' she said at last.</p>
+
+<p>'I am not going to. I wouldn't do so for the Harpers' sake, much more
+than for Lady Myrtle's. The Harpers have trusted me, and I won't do
+anything they wouldn't like.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well,' said Jacinth bitterly, 'you'd better write it all to mamma&mdash;all
+the horrid, calculating, selfish things I've said. You've got quite
+separated from me now, so that it really doesn't matter what you say of
+me.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>This was too much. Frances at last dissolved into tears and flung
+herself upon her sister, entreating her 'not to say such things,' to
+believe that nobody in the world&mdash;not Bessie or Margaret or
+<i>anybody</i>&mdash;could ever make up to her for her own dear Jass.</p>
+
+<p>'You're not selfish,' she said. 'You're far more unselfish, really, than
+I am. For I never think of things. I see I've never thought enough of
+poor papa and mamma, and how hard it's been for them in many ways,
+though I did say to Bessie the other day that, whatever troubles they'd
+had, they'd not been parted from each other the way we've been.'</p>
+
+<p>'I'm glad you said that,' Jacinth condescended to say, 'just to let them
+see that they're not the only people in the world who have to bear
+things.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, they <i>don't</i> think that,' said Frances. 'And Jass,' she went on,
+encouraged by her sister's softer tone, and encircling her neck fondly
+with her two arms as she sat, half on Jacinth's knee, half on the edge
+of her chair, 'I don't quite see why being sorry for the poor Harpers,
+and&mdash;and&mdash;wishing we could make Lady Myrtle feel so too, need make her
+leave off being kind to us too. That's how mamma sees it. I am not only
+thinking of the Harpers, Jass; indeed, I'm not. I'm looking forward more
+than I can tell you to what you said&mdash;that when papa and mamma come
+home, Lady Myrtle is going to invite us all to stay with her. Oh, it
+would be lovely!' and the little girl clasped her hands together. 'All
+the same,' she went on, 'I don't think I want ever to go to Robin
+Redbreast till that time comes. I can't feel natural there, and I'm
+afraid of vexing you or doing harm somehow.'</p>
+
+<p>'It is not in our hands&mdash;not in mine, any way,' said Jacinth<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> quietly.
+'All you have told me makes no difference to me. I am not going to
+meddle, and I shall not mention the Harpers at all, if I can help it.'</p>
+
+<p>'Not even in the way mamma says we might?' said Frances.</p>
+
+<p>'No&mdash;not at all, if I can help it. I do not want to spoil the happiness
+of being with Lady Myrtle by bringing up disagreeable subjects. I shall
+tell mamma so when I write.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances was silent. After all, she reflected, perhaps it did not much
+matter. Jacinth did not know Bessie and Margaret as <i>she</i> did, and now
+that her sister understood the whole&mdash;the near relationship and the
+whole story, perhaps it <i>would</i> be very difficult for her to come upon
+the subject naturally.</p>
+
+<p>'Honor Falmouth says,' remarked Jacinth in a moment or two, 'that she
+has heard that perhaps the girls are not coming back to school after the
+Christmas holidays.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh,' exclaimed Frances, looking greatly troubled, 'oh, Jass, I do hope
+it's not true.'</p>
+
+<p>'I should not be very sorry,' said Jacinth, 'except,' she added with
+some effort, 'except for your sake. And of course I have never said that
+they were not very nice girls. I know they are, only&mdash;it has been so
+tiresome and unlucky. I just wish we had never known them.'</p>
+
+<p>'I wish sometimes we had never known Lady Myrtle,' said Frances. 'You
+and I have <i>never</i> been&mdash;like this&mdash;with each other before, Jass.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well, we needn't quarrel about it,' said her sister. 'Let's try to keep
+off the subject of the Harper family. For <i>I</i> can do them no good.'</p>
+
+<p>'Very well,' said Frances, though rather sadly. 'I wonder,' she went on
+thinking to herself&mdash;'I wonder why Bessie<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> and Margaret are perhaps to
+leave school; they are getting on so well.'</p>
+
+<p>She was too unpractical to guess at the truth&mdash;which Jacinth had thought
+it useless to mention as a part of Miss Falmouth's information&mdash;that
+their parents could no longer afford to pay for them.</p>
+
+<p>'For to be gentlepeople, as they undoubtedly are in every sense of the
+word,' the girl had said, 'they are really <i>awfully</i> poor. I have heard
+so from some people who know them at that place where they live. It is
+quite a little seaside place, where people who want to be quiet go for
+bathing in the summer. But the Harpers live there all the year round. It
+must be fearfully dull.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' Jacinth agreed, 'it can't be lively. Still, being poor isn't the
+only trouble in the world.'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' Miss Falmouth replied, 'but I fear they have others too. Captain
+Harper is so delicate.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth said no more. Honor Falmouth was a kind-hearted but not
+particularly thoughtful girl, and she forgot all about the Harpers in
+five minutes. Her visit to Robin Redbreast had never come to pass, and
+Jacinth did not very specially regret it. She liked best to be alone
+with Lady Myrtle. So the relationship of the young Harpers to the old
+lady had never come to Honor's knowledge, as it might perhaps have done
+if her attention had been drawn to Lady Myrtle by visiting at her house.
+And at Christmas Honor was leaving school.</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;">
+<img src="images/i152.jpg" width="550" height="135" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE HARPERS' HOME.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Southcliff was a very dull little place, especially so in winter, of
+course. In fine weather there is always a charm about the seaside, even
+on the barest and least picturesque coast. There are the endless
+varieties of sky panorama&mdash;the wonderful sunsets, if you are lucky
+enough to face seawards to the west; the constantly changing effects of
+light and colour reflected in the water itself. And on a wild or rugged
+coast, winter and stormy weather bring of course their own grand though
+terrible displays.</p>
+
+<p>But Southcliff, despite its promising name, was tame in the extreme. The
+'cliff' was so meagre and unimposing as to suggest the suspicion of
+being only an artificial or semi-artificial erection; the shore had no
+excitement about it, not even that of quicksands. It was the 'safest'
+spot all along the coast; even the most suicidally disposed of small
+boys could <i>scarcely</i> come to mischief there. The tides went out and
+came in with an almost bourgeois regularity and respectability; there
+was no possibility of being 'surprised' by the waves; no lifeboat,
+because within the memory of man no vessel of any description whatever
+had been wrecked there; no lighthouse, no smugglers' caves of ancient
+fame, no possibility of adventure of any kind&mdash;'no nothing,' Bessie
+Harper was once heard to say, when she was very little, ''cept the sea
+and the sky.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>A grand exception those, however, as we have said. And dull though it
+was, there were some people who loved the little place as their home,
+and were most ready to be happy in it.</p>
+
+<p>It had some few distinct advantages. It was <i>very</i> healthy, and for
+these days very cheap. There was a good church, venerable and well cared
+for; the few, very few residents were all estimable and some
+interesting. Such as it was, take it all in all, it had seemed a very
+haven of refuge to Captain Harper and his wife when, some eight or ten
+years ago, they had pitched their tent there, after the last hopes of
+recovering any of Mrs Harper's lost money&mdash;hopes which for long had
+every now and then buoyed them up only to prove again delusive&mdash;had
+finally deserted them.</p>
+
+<p>'At anyrate,' the wife, with her irrepressibly sanguine nature, had
+said, 'we have the comfort of now knowing the worst. And Colin and
+Bertram are started. <i>What</i> a good thing the boys were the eldest! There
+is only Fitz to think about, and we'll manage him somehow. For <i>of
+course</i> the three girls will turn out well. Look at Camilla already.'</p>
+
+<p>Fitz was then about five&mdash;the youngest son, the youngest of the family
+excepting delicate little Margaret. He <i>was</i> 'managed,' and not badly,
+though a public school was an impossibility; his destination proved to
+be the navy, and thither at the proper age he made his way in orthodox
+fashion. The girls, helped by their mother, and by their father too, did
+their best, and it was far from a bad best. They were naturally
+intelligent; intensely anxious to seize all opportunities of learning,
+so that a stray chance of half a dozen lessons in music or French did
+more for them than as many years will do for most ordinary girls; they
+were, the two elder ones at least, wonderfully healthy in mind and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span>
+body, bright-tempered, faithful, unselfish, inheriting from their father
+the noble characteristics which in some mysterious way had in him so
+flourished as to oust all the reckless and contemptible qualities of the
+Bernard Harper who had half-broken his sister's heart, and brought down
+in sorrow to the grave his gray-haired father.</p>
+
+<p>But alas! they had <i>not</i> known the worst, as the loving, brave-spirited
+wife and mother had believed. In some sense, it is true, they had not
+known the <i>best</i>, for the years had brought many satisfactions, many
+unlooked-for, though unimportant, mitigations of the poverty so hard to
+bear cheerfully&mdash;people had been 'very kind.' But the poverty itself had
+increased. There were literally unavoidable expenses for 'the boys,' if
+they were not to be stranded in their careers; there was an unexpected
+rising of the rent owing to their good landlord's sudden death by
+accident; there was, worst of all, the terrible strain of Captain
+Harper's ill-health. In itself this was sad enough for the wife and
+daughters who adored him: it became almost an agony when, joined to the
+knowledge that more money, and not so very much more, might both relieve
+his suffering and hold out a reasonable prospect of comparative
+restoration.</p>
+
+<p>One operation&mdash;now some years ago&mdash;had succeeded for the time; but not
+being followed by the treatment at home and residence abroad prescribed,
+the improvement had not been lasting. Then it was that Mrs Lyle had
+written to her aunt, with the result that we know. Her letter was
+returned unopened.</p>
+
+<p>Then there came a period of comparative comfort, and for two or three
+years the family at Hedge End (such was the not very euphonious name of
+the Harpers' house) took heart again, and began to be sure 'father was
+going<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> to get well all of himself, after all.' And during this time some
+other cheering things came to pass. An old acquaintance of long-ago days
+between Mrs Harper and the Misses Scarlett was renewed by the ladies of
+Ivy Lodge coming to Southcliff one Midsummer holiday-time for sea-air,
+and this resulted in their offering to take Camilla, then almost
+grown-up, and later her younger sisters, on exceptionally moderate
+terms. The news from and of the far-away 'boys' was regular and good.
+The parents began to breathe freely, and to dare to hope that they had
+passed the worst of their troubles.</p>
+
+<p>But alas! it was only an interlude. Scarcely had Bessie and Margaret
+been settled at Ivy Lodge when there came anxiety about Colin&mdash;tidings
+of his prostration by a bad attack of fever; then, when he was able to
+write of his recovery, little Fitz broke his leg, and had to be brought
+home at the cost of much expense as well as distress to be nursed well
+again. And worst of all, through these many weeks a terrible suspicion
+was dawning on poor Captain Harper&mdash;a suspicion all too soon to be
+changed into a certainty&mdash;that he himself was falling back again, that
+the very symptoms he had been warned of were reappearing, and that
+unless something were done he might find himself a hopeless and complete
+cripple.</p>
+
+<p>He kept it to himself till Fitz was all right again; then it had to be
+told. And the painful journey to London, which Frances heard of at
+school, followed, with the great doctor's terribly perplexing verdict.</p>
+
+<p>What was to be done? Every conceivable suggestion was made and
+discussed, but so far no definite scheme had been hit upon.</p>
+
+<p>It was at this juncture that the mail which brought the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> letter from her
+mother so anxiously looked for by Frances Mildmay, brought also tidings
+from Mrs Lyle to her relations at Southcliff.</p>
+
+<p><i>This</i> letter came at breakfast-time; there was no mid-day post at the
+little bathing-place, but it was nearer London than Thetford.</p>
+
+<p>'From Aunt Flora, mother,' said Camilla, the only one besides her young
+brother now at home. 'I do hope it is cheerful, otherwise&mdash;&mdash;No, I
+suppose it would not do for you to read it first before giving it to
+father?'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Harper shook her head. She was a slight dark-haired woman, at first
+sight more like her youngest daughter than the others, but with a much
+more hopeful expression in her eyes, and far greater firmness and
+determination in all the lines of her face, so that, in spite of
+superficial dissimilarity, Bessie Harper really resembled her mother
+more nearly than either Camilla, calm, gentle, by nature possibly, a
+little indolent, or the nervous, anxious-minded Margaret.</p>
+
+<p>'No,' she replied, 'it is no use keeping anything from your father. He
+has got an almost magic power of finding out things. Besides, your Aunt
+Flora always tries to cheer him if she can. Put the letter on the tray
+beside his breakfast, Camilla. I will take it up myself.'</p>
+
+<p>Camilla and Fitz had almost finished their meal before Mrs Harper
+returned.</p>
+
+<p>'I do hope there's nothing wrong,' said Camilla, with the
+apprehensiveness which reiterated experience of ill-tidings begets in
+even the calmest nature.</p>
+
+<p>'It can't be my having broken my leg again,' said her brother, with a
+not very successful attempt at a joke; 'it was horrid, but I wouldn't
+mind breaking the other any day if it would save father's getting
+worse.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But at that moment their mother came in. Her face was decidedly brighter
+than when she had left the room.</p>
+
+<p>'Mother dear, do eat some breakfast. You'll be quite faint,' said
+Camilla, tenderly; 'I was nearly going after you to see if anything were
+the matter.'</p>
+
+<p>'No dear, thank you,' replied her mother. 'Your aunt's letter is
+unusually interesting. Fancy! is it not a curious coincidence?&mdash;rather a
+pleasant one, indeed&mdash;the Lyles have just made acquaintance at this new
+place with Colonel and Mrs Mildmay, the parents of the two girls at Miss
+Scarlett's.'</p>
+
+<p>Camilla looked up with a little misgiving.</p>
+
+<p>'Aunt Flora is not very discreet always, mother,' she said; 'I hope she
+won't have confided too much to Mrs Mildmay. It might come round in some
+disagreeable way to&mdash;Robin Redbreast.'</p>
+
+<p>'I think Mrs Mildmay must be particularly nice and sensible,' Mrs Harper
+replied. 'Of course your aunt has talked to her about Lady Myrtle and
+all the old story; it would scarcely have been in human nature,
+certainly not in Flora's nature, not to do so, when she found that her
+new friend was the daughter of Lady Jacinth Denison; but I don't see
+that it can do any harm. Mrs Mildmay has seen nothing of Lady Myrtle
+since she was a little child; it is only quite lately, as we know, that
+your great-aunt has come across the Mildmay girls, really by accident.
+Mrs Mildmay is pleased at it, for her mother's sake, but I am sure she
+is not a person to make any mischief. Indeed,' she added with some
+hesitation, 'it is just possible that indirectly it may do good. Not
+that your aunt suggests anything of the kind.'</p>
+
+<p>Camilla's face flushed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'I should hope not, indeed,' she said indignantly; 'when you think of
+the insult she exposed herself and us to, that time, mother, it would be
+<i>impossible</i> ever to accept any help from Lady Myrtle.'</p>
+
+<p>But Mrs Harper did not at once reply. Her face had grown very grave, and
+her eyes seemed to be looking far into things.</p>
+
+<p>'I cannot quite say that,' she answered at last. 'There are times when I
+am afraid to say what I would not accept, for your father's sake. I feel
+as if I would consent to anything not wrong or sinful that could save
+him. And remember, we must be just. As things are, Lady Myrtle knows
+nothing of us except that we are poor. And there is every excuse for her
+deep-seated prepossessions against her brother Bernard's family. Pride
+must not blind our fair judgment, Camilla.'</p>
+
+<p>The girl did not reply. She felt the reasonableness of her mother's
+argument.</p>
+
+<p>'But oh,' she thought to herself, 'I should <i>hate</i> to be indebted to
+Lady Myrtle for any help. What would I not do&mdash;what would we all not do,
+rather than that!'</p>
+
+<p>Her feelings might almost have been written on her face, for Fitz, who
+had been listening silently, though intently, to the conversation, here
+made a remark which might have been a remonstrance with her unspoken
+protest.</p>
+
+<p>'There's one thing to be said,' began the boy. 'Even though it's all
+Lady Myrtle's by <i>law</i>, it came to her from father's own grandfather. If
+our grandfather had been good, his share would have been his and then
+father's and then ours. There's a sort of right about it. It isn't as if
+it was all Lady Myrtle's own in any other way&mdash;through her husband, for
+instance&mdash;and that she did anything for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> us just out of pity, because we
+were relations. That <i>would</i> be horrid.'</p>
+
+<p>Fitz was only fifteen, but he and Margaret seemed older than their
+years, as is not unusual with the youngest members of a large family.
+Besides, all the Harpers had grown up in full knowledge of and sympathy
+with their parents' anxieties. Living as they did, in closest family
+union, it would have been all but impossible to prevent its being so,
+save by some forced and unnatural reticence, the evil of which would
+have been greater than the risk of saddening the children by premature
+cares.</p>
+
+<p>So neither Mrs Harper nor her daughter felt the least inclined to 'snub'
+the boy for his observation, which contained a strong element of
+common-sense.</p>
+
+<p>'Lady Myrtle's wealth comes <i>in part</i> from her husband,' said Mrs
+Harper. 'That makes one feel the more strongly that the Harper portion
+should to some extent return to where it is so needed. But your father
+has told me that the Elvedons are sure to inherit some of it, and that
+is quite right.'</p>
+
+<p>'And,' said Camilla, with a little effort, anxious to show her mother
+that she did wish to be quite 'fair-judging,' 'you know, Fitz, as we
+have often said, if our grandfather, being what he was, had got his
+share, it is most improbable that any of it would have come to father.
+After all,' she added with an honest smile that lighted up her quiet
+face and made it almost as bright as Bessie's&mdash;'after all, it was better
+for the money to be kept together by Lady Myrtle, than for it to be
+thrown away and <i>nobody</i> to have any good of it. She is a generous old
+woman, too, in outside ways. I see her name in connection with several
+philanthropic institutions.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'And really good and well-managed things, your father says. She must be
+a wise and considerate woman,' said Mrs Harper.</p>
+
+<p>'All the more pity, then, that she and father have never come together,'
+said Camilla with a sigh. 'She would be able to appreciate him. I never
+could imagine any one wiser and juster than father&mdash;though you come
+pretty near him sometimes, I must say, mother;' and she smiled again.
+'Neither of you is ever the least bit unfair to any one, and it does
+take such a lot of self-control and&mdash;and&mdash;a wonderfully well-balanced
+mind, I suppose, to be like that.'</p>
+
+<p>'I have only learned it&mdash;if I have learned it&mdash;from your father,'
+replied Mrs Harper. 'At your age I was dreadfully impetuous and hasty. I
+often wonder, dear child, how you can be so thoughtful and helpful as
+you are.'</p>
+
+<p>Camilla's eyes sparkled with pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>'Mother,' she said, 'we mustn't degenerate into a mutual admiration
+society. I shall tell father how we've been buttering each other up all
+breakfast-time. It will amuse him. I'm going to see if he will have some
+more tea.'</p>
+
+<p>And she ran off.</p>
+
+<p>By mid-day Captain Harper was established on his sofa in the little
+drawing-room, which his wife and daughters still strove so <i>very</i> hard
+to keep fresh and pretty. From this sofa, alas! especially now that
+winter was in the ascendant even at sheltered Southcliff, the invalid
+was but seldom able to move. For walking had become exceedingly painful
+and difficult, and so slow that even a little fresh air at the best part
+of the day could only be procured at the risk of chill and cold&mdash;a risk
+great and dangerous. And barely six months ago the tap of his crutch had
+been one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> of the most familiar sounds in the little town; he had been
+able to walk two or three miles with perfect ease and the hearty
+enjoyment which his happy nature seemed to find under all circumstances.
+It had not proved untrue to itself even now. There was a smile on his
+somewhat worn face&mdash;a smile that was seen in the eyes too, as real
+smiles should always be&mdash;as his daughter came into the room to see that
+he had everything he wanted about him.</p>
+
+<p>'It is really getting colder at last, father,' she said. 'At Thetford,
+Bessie writes, they have had some snow. And Margaret was delighted
+because it made her think of Christmas, and Christmas means coming
+home.'</p>
+
+<p>'Poor old Mag!' said Captain Harper. 'Mag' was his own special name for
+his youngest daughter; and no one else was allowed to use it. 'Poor old
+Mag! I really think she's very happy at school, though&mdash;don't you,
+Camilla? Bessie, I knew, would be all right, but I had my misgivings
+about Mag. And it is in every way such a splendid chance for them. It
+would be'&mdash;&mdash;And he hesitated.</p>
+
+<p>'What, father?'</p>
+
+<p>'Such a pity to break it up,' he said, 'as&mdash;we have almost come to think
+must be done.'</p>
+
+<p>'They would be perfectly miserable to stay there, if they understood&mdash;as
+indeed they do now,' Camilla replied, 'that it would be only at the cost
+of what you <i>must</i> have, father dear.'</p>
+
+<p>Her voice, though low, was very resolute. Captain Harper glanced at her
+half-wistfully.</p>
+
+<p>'I wish you didn't all see things that way,' he said. 'You see it's
+this, Camilla. If I go up to London to be under Maclean for three
+months, it <i>may</i> set me up again to a certain point, but unless it be
+followed by the "kur" at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> the baths, and then by that other "massage"
+business within a year or so, it would be just the old story, just what
+it was before, only that I am three or four years older than I was,
+and&mdash;certainly not stronger. So this is the question&mdash;is it <i>worth
+while</i>? It will be at such a cost&mdash;stopping Bessie and Mag's schooling,
+wearing out your mother and you&mdash;for what will be more trying than
+letting this house for the spring, as must be done, and moving you girls
+into poky lodgings. That, at least, we have hitherto managed not to do.
+And then the strain on your poor mother being up alone with me in
+London&mdash;so dreary for her too. And at best to think that a partial,
+temporary cure is all we can hope for. No, my child, I cannot see that
+it is worth it. I am happy at home, and more than content to bear what
+must be, after all not so very bad. And I <i>may</i> not get worse. Do,
+darling, try to make your mother see it my way.'</p>
+
+<p>It was not often&mdash;very, very seldom indeed&mdash;that Captain Harper talked
+so much or so long of himself. Now he lay back half-exhausted, his face,
+which had been somewhat flushed, growing paler than before.</p>
+
+<p>Camilla wound her arms round him and hid her face on his shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>'Father dearest,' she whispered, doing her best to hide any sign of
+tears in her voice, 'don't be vexed or disappointed, but I <i>can't</i> see
+it that way. It seems presumptuous for me to argue with you, but don't
+you see?&mdash;the first duty seems so clear, to do what we <i>can</i>. Surely
+there can be no doubt at all about that? And who knows&mdash;<i>something</i> may
+happen to make the rest of what is prescribed for you possible. And even
+if not, and if the three months in London only do a little good, at
+least we should all feel we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> had tried everything. Father dearest, if we
+<i>didn't</i> do it, do you think mother and Bessie and I&mdash;and the boys when
+they hear of it, and even the two little ones&mdash;do you think we should
+ever again feel one moment's peace of mind? Every time you looked paler
+or feebler, every time we saw you give the least little wince of
+pain&mdash;why, I think we should go out of our minds. It would be
+unendurable.'</p>
+
+<p>Captain Harper stroked her fair soft hair fondly.</p>
+
+<p>'But, dear, suppose it doesn't do any good, or much? Suppose'&mdash;and his
+voice grew very low and tender&mdash;'suppose all this increased suffering
+and weakness is only the beginning of the end&mdash;and sometimes I cannot
+help thinking it would be best so&mdash;my darling, it would <i>have</i> to be
+endured.'</p>
+
+<p>Camilla raised her tear-stained face and looked at her father bravely.</p>
+
+<p>'I know,' she said quietly. 'It may be. Mother and I don't deceive
+ourselves, though it is no use dwelling upon terrible possibilities. But
+even then, don't you see the difference? We should feel that we had done
+our best, and&mdash;and that more was not God's will.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' said her father, 'I see how you mean. I suppose I should feel the
+same if it were about your mother or one of you.'</p>
+
+<p>'And father,' Camilla went on more cheerfully, 'don't worry about the
+girls leaving school; it won't do them lasting harm. They have got a
+good start, and they are still very young. Some time or other they may
+have another opportunity, as I had. And Margaret is such a delicate
+little creature. Father, I wouldn't have said it if they had been going
+to stay at Thetford, but I have had my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> misgivings about her being fit
+to be so far away. I fear she is very homesick sometimes.'</p>
+
+<p>'Do you really think so?' said Captain Harper with a start. 'Poor little
+soul! If I thought so&mdash;ah dear, my home was not much, but still while my
+mother lived it <i>was</i> home, and oh how I remember what I suffered when I
+left it! Who is it that speaks of "the fiend homesickness?" The mere
+dread of it would reconcile me to having them back again.'</p>
+
+<p>'Then I am very thankful I told you,' said the girl. 'And father, is it
+not nice to know that in spite of everything we girls have <i>not</i> come
+off badly? Bessie and Margaret took good places at once, and I did too,
+you know. Indeed, Miss Scarlett said that if I had thought of being a
+governess, she would have been very glad to have me.'</p>
+
+<p>'I know,' said her father. 'Well, there is no necessity for that as yet,
+except for governessing the younger ones as you used to do. And if
+things go better with me, even if I'm only not worse, when we come home
+again I can take you all three for Latin and German and mathematics.'</p>
+
+<p>Camilla's eyes sparkled. She was so delighted to have talked him into
+acquiescence and hopefulness.</p>
+
+<p>'We shall work so hard the three months we are by ourselves that you
+will be quite astonished,' she said. 'And old Mrs Newing will make us
+very comfortable; it's there we're to live, you know. It will really be
+great fun.'</p>
+
+<p>So from this time the move to London was decided upon for Captain and
+Mrs Harper.</p>
+
+<p>And when Bessie and Margaret bade their companions good-bye at the
+beginning of the Christmas holidays, they knew, though it had been
+thought best to say little about it, and the good Misses Scarlett
+refused to look upon it as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> anything but a temporary break, that it was
+good-bye for much longer than was supposed&mdash;good-bye perhaps and not
+improbably for always, to Ivy Lodge and Thetford and all their friends.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie felt it sorely. Little Margaret was all absorbed in the delight
+of going 'home' again. But both were at one in the real sorrow with
+which they parted from their companions, among whom no one had won a
+more lasting place in their affection than blunt, warm-hearted, honest
+Frances Mildmay.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;">
+<img src="images/i165.jpg" width="250" height="127" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;">
+<img src="images/i166.jpg" width="550" height="135" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+
+<h3>GREAT NEWS.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The first Christmas at a strange place or in a new home is always full
+of mingled feelings. Even when the change has been a happy one, not
+brought about by sorrows of any kind, the old associations give a sort
+of melancholy to the thankfulness and joy we all wish to feel at this
+time. And for the young Mildmays it was more than natural that the
+sadness should predominate.</p>
+
+<p>'Only a year ago <i>how</i> different it was!' sighed Frances, the first
+morning of the holidays, when there was no school to hurry off
+to&mdash;nothing particular to do or look forward to. 'I shall be very glad
+when it's time to begin lessons again.'</p>
+
+<p>'I don't see why you should feel so particularly gloomy just now,' said
+Jacinth, not unkindly. 'Things might have been a good deal worse than
+they are.'</p>
+
+<p>'People can always say that,' replied Frances. 'If you've got to have a
+leg cut off, you can say to yourself it might have been both legs. I
+daresay having Robin Redbreast to go to makes it much nicer for you; I
+suppose you'll go there a good deal during the holidays. But it doesn't
+make much difference to me. Lady Myrtle doesn't ask me often, and I
+don't want her to. I'm quite glad for you to go there, but it's not the
+same for me.'</p>
+
+<p>And again she sighed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'What <i>would</i> make you happier, then?' asked Jacinth.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, I don't know. Nothing that could be, I suppose. Nothing will make
+very much difference till papa and mamma come home. There are one or two
+things that are making me particularly unhappy, besides the thinking
+it's Christmas and how changed everything is, but&mdash;I daresay it's no
+good speaking of them.'</p>
+
+<p>'I know what one of them is,' said Jacinth. 'I can guess it: shall I
+tell you what it is?'</p>
+
+<p>'If you like,' Frances replied.</p>
+
+<p>'It's about the Harpers&mdash;Bessie and Margaret&mdash;not coming back again to
+school,' said her sister.</p>
+
+<p>'How did you know about it?' inquired Frances. 'They didn't tell even
+me&mdash;not really. But I know they were very sad about their father being
+so much worse, and once, a few days ago, Bessie said it was almost
+settled they were going to let their house at that place where they
+live, and that their father and mother were going to be a long time in
+London, and of course that will cost a lot of money&mdash;the going to
+London, I mean. And&mdash;I could tell,' and Frances's voice sounded rather
+suspicious&mdash;'I could tell&mdash;by the way, they kissed me&mdash;when&mdash;when they
+said good-bye&mdash;I could <i>tell</i> they weren't coming back,' and here the
+choking down of a sob was very audible.</p>
+
+<p>For a wonder Jacinth did not seem at all irritated. Truth to tell, she,
+too, had felt very sorry for the Harper girls&mdash;Bessie especially&mdash;and as
+we know, though she did not allow it to herself, her conscience was not
+entirely at ease about them. Something had touched her, too, in Bessie's
+manner when they bade each other good-bye.</p>
+
+<p>'Will you kiss me, Jacinth?' Bessie had said. 'I have been so glad to
+know you.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'I have not felt sorry enough for them perhaps,' Jacinth had allowed to
+herself. 'But really, there are so many sad things in the world, one
+would wear one's self out with being sorry for everybody.'</p>
+
+<p>'How did you know about it?' Frances repeated.</p>
+
+<p>'I heard something a good while ago from Honor Falmouth; don't you
+remember?' said Jacinth. 'And last week she told me more, only she said
+they didn't want any fuss made about it. She heard it from friends. But
+Frances, do try and cheer up. You've been as kind&mdash;at least as
+affectionate&mdash;as you could be to the Harpers. We hadn't it in our power
+to ask them here or anything like that. I'm sure you tried to get Aunt
+Alison to ask them, over and over again. And you won't do them any good
+by crying about their troubles, you know, dear. Perhaps they may come
+back to school some time or other, even if they're away next term.'</p>
+
+<p>'Thank you, dear Jass,' said Frances, wiping her eyes. 'You're very
+kind. I'll try and not be dull.'</p>
+
+<p>She would perhaps have been less grateful for Jacinth's sympathy had she
+understood the relief it was to her sister, notwithstanding her genuine
+pity for them, to know that the Harpers were not likely to be associated
+with them any more. Their presence at Ivy Lodge, ever since the
+acquaintance with Lady Myrtle&mdash;more especially since Jacinth herself had
+become fully informed as to the whole history&mdash;had been a perpetual
+irritation and almost a reproach to her. And the pertinacity with which
+she repeated to herself that it was not her business to take up the
+cudgels in the Harpers' behalf, of itself suggested a weak point
+somewhere&mdash;a touch of the self-excusing which tries to whiten over the
+unacknowledged self-blame.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p>
+
+<p><i>Now</i>, Jacinth could afford to let herself feel sorry for Bessie and
+Margaret and their family&mdash;could even picture to herself ways in which
+some day, in some vague future, she and Frances might show kindness to
+their former school-fellows.</p>
+
+<p>'If I were rich,' thought Jacinth, 'they're just the sort of people I'd
+love to be good to; of course one would have to do it very carefully, so
+as not to offend them.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances was still looking somewhat lugubrious when the door opened and
+Miss Mildmay senior came in. It was not very often that their aunt paid
+the girls a visit in their own little sitting-room, and they both looked
+up with some curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>'I had a letter from Lady Myrtle this morning,' she said. 'I did not
+want to speak about it before Eugene'&mdash;for Eugene had lately been
+promoted to breakfast down-stairs&mdash;'as I was not sure what you and
+Frances would wish about it. It is an invitation for you all&mdash;Eugene
+too&mdash;to spend Christmas at Robin Redbreast. Christmas <i>time</i>, I should
+say. Lady Myrtle invites you all three for a week, and Jacinth for a
+fortnight. What do you say?'</p>
+
+<p>Frances said nothing, but Jacinth looked up quickly.</p>
+
+<p>'I think it would be unnatural for us all to go away from you for
+Christmas, Aunt Alison,' she said.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Mildmay smiled.</p>
+
+<p>'A lonely Christmas would be nothing new to me, my dear child,' she
+said; but she spoke without any bitterness.</p>
+
+<p>'<i>I'll</i> stay with you, Aunt Alison,' said Frances, eagerly. 'I really
+don't care about going to Robin Redbreast, and it's Jacinth Lady Myrtle
+wants. Do let me and Eugene stay here; Eugene needn't be told about it
+at all.'</p>
+
+<p>'Thank you, my dear,' said their aunt. 'Thank you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> both. But&mdash;do not
+think me ungracious&mdash;when I spoke of a lonely Christmas, I only meant
+that I have not been used to a family party. I am always very happy and
+very busy on Christmas&mdash;and I think I should be missed if I were not
+here. I should have told you that Lady Myrtle very kindly invites me
+too&mdash;for Christmas Day&mdash;but that would not suit me at all. I <i>must</i> be
+here in the evening, and indeed I am wanted all day; but I was trying to
+arrange to do less, so as to be with you three in the afternoon at
+least.'</p>
+
+<p>'Then&mdash;to put it plainly&mdash;it would be rather a relief to you for us all
+to be away?' asked Jacinth.</p>
+
+<p>'Well, yes&mdash;in a sense it would. That is to say, if I knew you were
+happy and well looked after,' said Miss Mildmay, smiling again.</p>
+
+<p>'There, Francie,' said Jacinth, 'you see it is much the best thing that
+could have happened. And of course you and Eugene must come. I suppose
+we shall take Phebe, Aunt Alison?'</p>
+
+<p>'Certainly, my dear.'</p>
+
+<p>The mention of Phebe seemed to cheer Frances. 'I shouldn't mind so much,
+if Eugene and I could go walks,' she said. 'But you know, Aunt Alison,
+Jass <i>must</i> be a great deal with Lady Myrtle, and I shouldn't know what
+to do all day, and Eugene wouldn't either.'</p>
+
+<p>'It'll be all right, you'll see,' said Jacinth, who, now that she was
+satisfied as to her aunt, felt in high spirits. 'You can go about just
+as you like with Phebe, and it's only for a week. I don't think I should
+stay more than a week, Aunt Alison?'</p>
+
+<p>'I cannot say,' her aunt replied. 'I almost think you should, if Lady
+Myrtle wishes it. That week&mdash;the week<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> after Christmas week&mdash;I think I
+could help to amuse Frances and Eugene. We shall be having our
+children's feasts, and they could be very useful.'</p>
+
+<p>'I <i>should</i> like that!' said Frances eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>So all seemed satisfactory, and Miss Mildmay left them, to write her
+answer to Lady Myrtle. Human nature is very inconsistent. The maiden
+lady of a certain age could not repress a sigh as she sat down at her
+desk: she had not realised till now that all was changed; how she had
+been looking forward to something like an orthodox Christmas for once,
+in her prim old house&mdash;how she had been planning about the plum-puddings
+and cakes, even while groaning a little over the reversal of her usual
+habits!</p>
+
+<p>'But it is much better as it is,' she decided. 'They will be quite
+happy, and poor old Lady Myrtle will be less lonely than for many years.
+She may be a good friend to Eugenia and the children in the future. And
+as for me, I don't know how they would have managed without me at St
+Blaise's, after all.'</p>
+
+<p>And the young Mildmays&mdash;Frances included&mdash;<i>were</i> very happy at Robin
+Redbreast.</p>
+
+<p>Things settled themselves very much as Jacinth had foreseen. Under
+Phebe's care the two younger ones were left free to run about as they
+chose during such parts of the day as Jacinth found that their hostess
+liked to have her with herself. And the children were much more
+accustomed to this sort of life than if they had ever known thorough
+home care. For even at Stannesley Mrs Denison's age and fragile health
+had often made it impossible for them to be with her as much as she
+would have liked: they had early learned to be 'very good at amusing
+themselves.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>On Christmas Day the large landau, quite roomy enough for half a dozen
+instead of four, took them all to Elvedon church, where they sat with
+Lady Myrtle in the square, be-curtained pew&mdash;one of those appropriated
+to the Court, which was kept for the lady from Robin Redbreast.</p>
+
+<p>'It felt very like Stannesley,' was the verdict of the two younger ones,
+who had not been at Elvedon before, which seemed to please Lady Myrtle.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' she said. 'I think you will feel more at home than if you spent
+the day at Thetford.'</p>
+
+<p>And the prettily decorated rooms, and the old folk who came in for
+dinner in the servants' hall, and the roast turkey and flaming
+plum-pudding and snapdragon afterwards&mdash;yes, though they were only such
+a very small party, just they three and the old lady instead of their
+own granny, and no Uncle Marmy to make his jokes&mdash;still it <i>was</i> much
+more homelike than No. 9 Market Square Place could possibly have been.
+And when Frances went to bed that night, glancing with pleasure at the
+pretty presents so thoughtfully provided for her&mdash;a dear little gold
+pencil-case in a bracelet from Lady Myrtle, a pair of gloves from Aunt
+Alison, and a handkerchief with a red embroidered border from Jacinth
+and Eugene&mdash;the child felt that she had indeed a great many 'good
+things' to be thankful for.</p>
+
+<p>'If only'&mdash;&mdash;she thought. 'Oh, how I would like to think that Bessie and
+Margaret are happy too! I am so afraid that they are very, very sad
+about their father.'</p>
+
+<p>Christmas Day was a Thursday. It was always considered a lucky
+coincidence by the young Mildmays when letters from their far-off
+parents reached them on the very day of any anniversary. But this year
+the Christmas budget only arrived the morning before Frances and Eugene
+were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> returning to Thetford. Miss Mildmay sent it on by a special
+messenger, knowing how anxious her nieces would be to get their letters.
+And a mysterious allusion in the little note from her which accompanied
+them made Jacinth start and call out to Frances.</p>
+
+<p>'Look at what Aunt Alison says, before you read your letter, Francie.
+What can she mean?'</p>
+
+<p>This was what Jacinth pointed to: 'I have heard from your father and
+mother also,' wrote Miss Mildmay. 'The great piece of news will surprise
+you as much as it has surprised me. I shall be glad to have you back
+again to talk it all over.' The sisters stared at each other, their lips
+parted and their breath coming quickly.</p>
+
+<p>Then said Jacinth at last: 'It can't be anything <i>wrong</i>, Francie. Aunt
+Alison never would have written of it like that, if it had been.'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' said Frances, though her voice was rather tremulous; 'of course it
+can't be.'</p>
+
+<p>'And,' continued Jacinth, 'how silly we are to sit here wondering about
+it, when we've only to look at our letters to know! Here goes, Francie!'
+and she tore open her own envelope; 'let's see which of us will get at
+it first.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances unfastened her letter more deliberately. It was a much shorter
+one than Jacinth's, and she had scarcely glanced at the first few lines
+when she sprang from her seat with a sort of shriek.</p>
+
+<p>'They're coming home, Jass! that's the secret. Oh Jass, Jass, listen:
+"As I may hope to see you before long, my darling, I won't attempt to
+write very much." That's it. Oh Jassie, sweet, they're coming home!'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth's face had grown pink, then white again, whiter than usual, as
+she rapidly ran through her own letter.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' she said at last, 'it's&mdash;no, it's not <i>quite</i> so good as that.
+Mamma's coming first: she'll be here in the spring; but papa's not
+coming for some months later. He's got to go somewhere for some kind of
+inspection, where mamma couldn't go with him, and after that, he's got
+six months' leave, which may or may not&mdash;I don't quite understand.
+Listen, Francie: "During this leave your father will have time to decide
+as to the future. It is possible he may have the offer of an appointment
+in England, which would obviate the necessity of our returning to India.
+But even if he has this chance, there are fors and againsts to consider:
+the appointment is not in some ways a very desirable one; it would
+oblige us to live for some, perhaps for several years in a large
+manufacturing town in the north of England, and it would be very hard
+work for your father. Still, we might&mdash;we <i>should</i> be all together."'</p>
+
+<p>Frances heaved a deep sigh of intense longing.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh yes,' she said, 'that would be <i>everything</i>.'</p>
+
+<p>'No, I don't see that it would be,' said Jacinth. 'I should <i>hate</i>
+living in a place like that; and then think of the hard work for papa.
+When he does come home I want him to be quite his own master, and,
+and&mdash;to be rather grand, you know. I should not mind his having an
+appointment in London, or some county thing that wouldn't give him much
+to do, about here perhaps. But to go and slave in some horrid dirty
+place where there would be no one we could speak to; that would be a
+come-down after the position he has had in India.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh Jass,' said Frances, 'don't let us spoil this beautiful news by
+thinking of anything disagreeable. Papa must know best, far better than
+we can. Do go on reading the letter. Mamma says I'm to ask you
+everything.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Jacinth's eyes returned to the sheets in her hand. Her face cleared a
+little.</p>
+
+<p>'There's something else,' she said. 'Oh, I should like that <i>far</i>
+better. Listen, Frances: "Your father has also the certainty of a
+good&mdash;as to position and agreeableness&mdash;appointment in London; but the
+pay would be much, much less, so he is not taking this into
+consideration. So the chances are that we may have to return to India
+after his leave is over, and be joined by you, dear Jass, a year later;
+though at worst I hope we shall be settled in England before my little
+Francie would be ready to come out. But I don't mean to think of
+anything at present but the unexpected joy of seeing you all three again
+so soon. I am writing to your aunt, to know if she can find a little
+house at Thetford where we can be together. You will just have been one
+year with her, and I do thank her for her care of you. It all seems to
+have fitted in so well. When you see Lady Myrtle Goodacre, thank her
+again from me for her kindness to you, and tell her what a pleasure it
+has been to me to think of it. Tell her, too, how much I am looking
+forward to meeting again my mother's dearest friend."'</p>
+
+<p>'You will tell Lady Myrtle at once,' said Frances.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, of course,' said Jacinth, but she spoke half absently. Her eyes
+were still fixed on her mother's letter.</p>
+
+<p>'<i>I</i> don't see why he shouldn't even "take it into consideration,"' she
+repeated to herself. 'We can't be so desperately poor as all that. <i>I</i>
+shall take it into consideration, any way, my dear mother;' and she
+smiled a little. 'Yes, Frances,' she went on, looking up, and speaking
+more decidedly; 'of course I'll tell Lady Myrtle. I think I'll go and
+tell her now. I know she is alone in the boudoir. And, Francie, you may
+tell Eugene.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'May I?' exclaimed Frances, jumping up. 'Oh, thank you, Jass. I'm not
+sure,' she went on, 'I'm not sure that Eugene can feel quite so&mdash;so
+<i>wild</i> with happiness as I do. Oh Jass, it is almost too much. It takes
+my breath away.' She was running out of the room, when she looked back
+for a moment.</p>
+
+<p>'Jass,' she began with a little hesitation, 'does mamma say anything
+more about Mrs Lyle, <i>their</i> aunt, you know? I wonder if she has seen
+her again?'</p>
+
+<p>'She is sure to have seen her again. They are living close together,'
+said Jacinth. 'But she doesn't say anything about her in this letter.
+Why should she?' Jacinth's tone was growing a little acrid. 'May she not
+for once be taken up with our own affairs? what can be more important
+than all she has to tell us? I do wish, Frances, you wouldn't drag these
+Harpers into everything; it is really bad taste.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances was not very clear as to what 'bad taste' meant, but she was
+very sorry to have vexed Jacinth.</p>
+
+<p>'It was only,' she said, 'only that it seems as if all the happiness
+were coming to us, and all the troubles to them. And I was so glad mamma
+was sorry for them.'</p>
+
+<p>'You speak as if they were our nearest relations,' said Jacinth,
+'instead of being, as they are, actual strangers.'</p>
+
+<p>But she was not sure if Frances heard her. She had already run off.</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth followed her down-stairs more slowly. They had been sitting in
+the elder girl's bedroom, which, with its cheerful outlook and pleasant
+arrangements of writing-table and bookcases and sofa, and fire burning
+brightly, was rather a favourite resort of theirs in the morning, before
+Lady Myrtle was free from her various occupations. For she was a busy
+and methodical old lady.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The staircase was one of the pretty features of Robin Redbreast: though
+a spiral one, the steps were pleasantly shallow, and every here and
+there it was lighted by quaintly shaped windows.</p>
+
+<p>'How I love this house!' said Jacinth to herself, as she passed out
+round the gallery, already described, on into the conservatory, even at
+that mid-winter season a blaze of lovely brilliant colour. 'If&mdash;oh, if
+it were going to be our home some time or other, how beautiful it would
+be to look forward to! how delightful it would make mamma's coming back!
+I can't bear to think of papa's having that horrid appointment up in the
+north. I'd rather keep on as we are, and go out to India when I'm old
+enough.'</p>
+
+<p>She had loitered a moment among the flowers; the door of Lady Myrtle's
+boudoir was slightly ajar; the old lady's ears were quick; she heard
+even the slight rustle of Jacinth's skirts, and called out to her.</p>
+
+<p>'Is that you, dear Jacinth? Come in&mdash;I have finished my letters and
+accounts, and was just going to send for you.'</p>
+
+<p>And as the girl hastened in, Lady Myrtle looked up with a bright smile
+of welcome. It was pleasant to be thus greeted: a change from Aunt
+Alison's calm unimpassioned placidity.</p>
+
+<p>'Dear Lady Myrtle,' said Jacinth, 'I don't know how to tell you our
+news. We have got our Christmas letters from papa and mamma; Aunt Alison
+sent out a messenger on purpose with them. And Francie and I have just
+read them. And&mdash;what do you think?'</p>
+
+<p>She sat down on a stool at Lady Myrtle's feet and looked up in her face.
+The old lady laid her hand fondly on the girl's soft hair.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Nothing wrong, dear; I can see by your face. What can it be? Not&mdash;it
+can't be that they are coming home?'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth's eyes sparkled.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, indeed,' she said; 'that's just what it is. At least it's not
+quite that they're coming home for good; I wish it were. But if you
+like, if it won't bother you, I'll read you mamma's letter.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, do, dear,' said the old lady.</p>
+
+<p>And Jacinth did so, congratulating herself on what had disappointed
+Frances, that there was no mention at all in this letter of the Harper
+family or Mrs Lyle.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle listened with evidently extreme interest. When Jacinth had
+finished, there was a moment or two's silence. Then Lady Myrtle said
+quietly but decidedly: 'She must come straight here&mdash;your mother, I
+mean. I shall write to her myself. Don't you think that will be best? It
+will be the greatest satisfaction to me to see her&mdash;little Eugenia&mdash;how
+proud your dear grandmother was of her! A fair-haired, brown-eyed little
+creature. Not so like my Jacinth as you are, child. But that, one could
+not expect. It is not often that one sees such a likeness as yours to
+your grandmother. But I am so thankful to know I may hope to see your
+mother. Sometimes I have feared'&mdash;&mdash;But here Lady Myrtle broke off
+without finishing her sentence. 'Jacinth, I want you to talk about it.
+What can I say to ensure her coming to me? I want to make her feel that
+it will be really like coming home?'</p>
+
+<p>'Say <i>that</i> to her, dear Lady Myrtle,' Jacinth replied. 'Nothing could
+touch her more. And I am sure she will love to come here, at any rate
+for a while, at first. You see she speaks of living at Thetford till
+papa comes&mdash;of having a little house there and us with her. There would
+not be room in Aunt Alison's house, and besides, I think mamma would
+like to feel more independent with us three.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 447px;">
+<img src="images/i179.jpg" width="447" height="600" alt="Jacinth sat down on a stool at Lady Myrtle&#39;s feet and
+looked up in her face." title="" />
+<span class="caption">Jacinth sat down on a stool at Lady Myrtle&#39;s feet and
+looked up in her face.</span>
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Of course. I would not at all advise her living in Market Square Place,
+even if there were room,' said Lady Myrtle. 'In a small house, and with
+your aunt being accustomed to be the authority&mdash;no, it would not do. But
+there would be no such difficulties here. Your mother must come to me
+first, and you three must be here, too, to meet her. And then, later on,
+if she thinks it better to take a little house&mdash;well, I shall not oppose
+her. I am not an unreasonable old woman, am I, my child?'</p>
+
+<p>'No, indeed,' said Jacinth warmly. 'And'&mdash;with a little smile&mdash;'I know
+mamma is very <i>sensible</i>. I can tell it by her letters, and even by what
+I remember of her. She is eager and hearty&mdash;sometimes Francie reminds me
+of her&mdash;but she is never fanciful or obstinate. It sounds impertinent of
+me talking like that of her, but I think you will understand. And I am
+sure you and mamma will suit each other.'</p>
+
+<p>'I am sure we shall, dear, though, in a sense, <i>you</i> will always seem
+the <i>most</i> of your grandmother to me, Jacinth. You see my most vivid
+memory of her is about your age; it is really as if she had come back to
+me, sometimes.'</p>
+
+<p>'I do so love you to say that,' said Jacinth.</p>
+
+<p>'But I want to speak of all your mother writes,' the old lady went on.
+'I&mdash;there can be no harm in my talking to you quite frankly, for I see
+your mother confides in you, and she is quite right to do so. Jacinth&mdash;I
+don't like the idea of that post, whatever it is, at Barmettle.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth drew a deep breath of relief.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, I am so glad you think so,' she said. 'I scarcely liked to say
+it&mdash;it seems selfish&mdash;if it would save papa's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> going out again, and he
+has had so much of India; but it <i>would</i> be rather horrid, wouldn't it?
+And almost a come-down, it seems to me. The other appointment in London
+would be so much nicer, only living at all <i>nicely</i> in London is so
+dear, and the pay is smaller. Perhaps it will end after all in papa and
+mamma going back to India, and my joining them in two or three years.'</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle put out her hand, and clasped Jacinth's firmly in hers.</p>
+
+<p>'No, my child,' she said. 'That must not be. I think when one gets as
+old as I am, one may be a little selfish; that is to say, if one's
+selfishness does no one any harm. And your parents have had enough of
+India; there can be no necessity for their return there, nor for your
+joining them. No, I could not consent to lose you again&mdash;the one thing
+that has been sent to cheer me! Put all such possibilities out of your
+mind, my Jacinth. I will write to your mother.'</p>
+
+<p>'And what shall I say to her?' asked Jacinth. 'About all you have said,
+I mean.'</p>
+
+<p>'Refer her to me. But tell her how you are all&mdash;<i>we</i> are all&mdash;counting
+on her coming first to Robin Redbreast, and that then we shall be able
+to talk over everything. Tell her I cannot consent to giving you up;
+tell her, as I hope you can, that this place is beginning to feel like
+home to you.'</p>
+
+<p>'You know I feel it so, dear Lady Myrtle,' said Jacinth simply. 'I think
+I have been happier here already than I have ever been anywhere else.
+And I am so glad this news has come while we were here. It makes it
+doubly delightful. And we shall remember that it came to us here&mdash;this
+Christmas week.'</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;">
+<img src="images/i183.jpg" width="550" height="136" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+
+<h3>'"CAMILLA" AND "MARGARET," YES.'</h3>
+
+
+<p>There was a great writing of letters during the next day or two at Robin
+Redbreast. And both Lady Myrtle and the children found it difficult to
+give their attention to anything but the absorbing subject of Mrs
+Mildmay's return.</p>
+
+<p>And in response to a pressing invitation from the old lady, Miss Mildmay
+actually managed to spare or make time to come out to Robin Redbreast to
+'spend the day'&mdash;that is to say, three or four hours of it, so that she
+and Lady Myrtle might have a talk about the plans under discussion.</p>
+
+<p>The day chosen was the one in which Frances and Eugene were to return to
+Market Square Place. The big carriage was to take them and their aunt
+and Phebe home in the afternoon, leaving Jacinth for another week at
+Robin Redbreast.</p>
+
+<p>Never had her nieces found Miss Mildmay so pleasant and almost genial.
+She was greatly delighted at the news of her sister-in-law's
+return&mdash;delighted and relieved. For it had begun to strike her rather
+uncomfortably that what she had undertaken was all but an impossibility.
+She was very conscientious, as I have said, and no self-deceiver. She
+saw that the girls, as they grew older, were becoming not less but more
+in need of sympathy and guidance in their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> out-of-school life&mdash;sympathy
+and guidance which at best she felt very doubtful of being able to give
+them, <i>even</i> if she sacrificed all the other duties and occupations
+which had for so many years made her life, for their sakes. And the
+sacrifice would have been a very tremendous one.</p>
+
+<p>The doubts and perplexities were increasing daily in her mind when there
+came this most welcome and little expected news, followed by the almost
+as welcome tidings of Lady Myrtle's eager offer of hospitality to the
+children's mother.</p>
+
+<p>'It is very good, very, very kind and good of her,' said Miss Mildmay to
+herself. 'The children's making friends with her really seems to have
+brought good-luck. And she may be of lasting and substantial help to
+Frank and Eugenia. Not exactly because she is rich&mdash;Frank is far too
+proud to take anybody's money&mdash;but she may have interest that would be
+of use to him. And there would be nothing unnatural in her leaving
+something to Eugenia or to Jacinth. I don't suppose she means to leave
+everything to the Elvedons, for a good deal would have been her own
+share in any case, and a good deal her husband must have left her. By
+the bye, I have always forgotten to ask Miss Scarlett if the Harper
+girls she has, or had&mdash;some one said they had left&mdash;were any relation to
+the Elvedon family. Nice girls, evidently, but very badly off, I fancy.'</p>
+
+<p>And then she forgot about the Harpers again.</p>
+
+<p>But with her grateful feelings to Lady Myrtle, Miss Mildmay naturally
+felt that the least she could do was to clear a day for herself by
+working extra hard, so as to be able to spend part of it at Robin
+Redbreast, as the old lady much wished her to do.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And she was in her happiest and most cheerful mood, and all would have
+gone just as Jacinth wished, but for one unfortunate allusion, which
+came in the first place, strange to say, from considerate, cautious Miss
+Alison Mildmay herself.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle and her new guest had a long talk by themselves in the first
+place. Then Jacinth, anxiously waiting, heard the boudoir-bell ring, and
+a message was brought to herself asking her to join them.</p>
+
+<p>'Come in, my dear child,' said her old friend; 'your aunt and I have
+been enjoying a good talk. It is so pleasant when such things end in
+people quite agreeing with each other, is it not?' she added, turning to
+Miss Mildmay with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth's anxious face cleared.</p>
+
+<p>'Then you do think Lady Myrtle's plan best, Aunt Alison?' she said.</p>
+
+<p>'I think it a delightful one, for all concerned,' said Miss Mildmay. 'I
+have been explaining to Lady Myrtle all my&mdash;my conflicting feelings. For
+much as I should like to have your mother with me, I know it would not
+be as comfortable as I should wish, nor should I be able to see very
+much of her, unless'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Forgive my interrupting you, my dear Miss Mildmay,' interposed Lady
+Myrtle; 'but I wish you would not worry yourself about all these
+questions, now that they are settled and done with. Eugenia shall come
+straight to Robin Redbreast for as long as I can get her to stay, and
+that will be as long as she wishes. The children, as well as Jacinth,
+<i>my</i> child'&mdash;and she glanced up affectionately at the young girl
+standing beside her&mdash;'shall be here to receive her, and you too, Miss
+Mildmay, if you will so far honour me.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> It will be about Easter
+probably; there are holidays then, I believe, which will be all the
+better. And there need never be any difficulty about sending you all
+three to school and fetching you, even when it is not holiday time. Then
+if Eugenia prefers to take a little house temporarily at Thetford, I
+shall leave her free to do so, though I may have my private <i>hopes</i> on
+this matter.'</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle's eyes were quite sparkling, and there was a bright colour
+in her cheeks. It was very pleasant to see her so eager and happy.
+Jacinth, in spite of her aunt's repressing presence, could not help
+stooping down and gently kissing the soft old face.</p>
+
+<p>'And to look further forward still,' Lady Myrtle continued, holding
+Jacinth's hand which she had possessed herself of, 'your aunt and I are
+of accord on another point, my child. Your father must not return to
+India; he has had enough of it. And your mother too.'</p>
+
+<p>'Then you think he should accept'&mdash;&mdash;began Jacinth.</p>
+
+<p>'We will not go into particulars,' she replied, patting Jacinth's hand.
+'To begin with, Colonel Mildmay has not consulted me. He must first get
+to know me. But&mdash;no, of course that dreadful Barmettle is out of the
+question. You might almost as well be all in India, as far as I am
+concerned, for all I should see of you. But all that is some way off
+still. The first thing to do is to get your mother's promise to come
+straight here.'</p>
+
+<p>'I am sure she will,' said Jacinth. 'I don't feel any anxiety about
+that.'</p>
+
+<p>'Nor do I,' said her aunt.</p>
+
+<p>Just then the luncheon gong sounded, and they all went down-stairs in
+the best of spirits. In the dining-room they were joined by Frances and
+Eugene, who thanks to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> genial influences of the morning's news, ran
+up to Miss Mildmay, and kissed her much more effusively than was usual
+with them.</p>
+
+<p>'How well you are both looking!' she said, and Lady Myrtle glanced
+round, pleased at the remark. 'I don't think his mother will recognise
+Eugene,' Miss Mildmay went on. 'Well, no, she could scarcely do that in
+any case. But I mean to say I think she will find it difficult to
+believe we are not cheating her altogether when she sees this great,
+strong, rosy fellow. He was such a poor little specimen!'</p>
+
+<p>'He must have been brought home in time, however,' said Lady Myrtle.
+'Ah, yes, our Indian possessions cost us dear in some ways. Though it is
+nothing to the old days; my people were soldiers for generations you
+know, so we had full experience of these difficulties. I and my brothers
+were born in India; my father was only captain in his regiment when he
+came into the Elvedon title and property unexpectedly. He would have
+lived to be very distinguished, I feel sure, if he had not left the
+army;' and she sighed a little.</p>
+
+<p>'But you have distinguished relatives in the army still,' said Miss
+Mildmay. 'The Captain Harper who was wounded at&mdash;&mdash;after his most
+gallant conduct. He is a relation, is he not? I heard about him from
+Miss Scarlett: you know his daughters were at Ivy Lodge, and'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Indeed!' said Lady Myrtle, and a very strange expression came into her
+voice&mdash;not annoyance, not even constraint&mdash;more like a sort of repressed
+anxiety and painful apprehensiveness. 'Indeed! No, I do not
+remember&mdash;what were you going to say?'</p>
+
+<p>For Miss Mildmay had stopped abruptly. She was seated<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> opposite Jacinth,
+and as she got to her last words, some consciousness made her glance
+across the table at her elder niece. In an instant she saw her mistake,
+and recalled her own vague warnings to the girls to avoid allusions to
+Lady Myrtle's family history. But she was far from cowardly, and
+essentially candid. And in her mind there had been no mingling of any
+selfish motive; nothing but the desire to prevent any possible annoyance
+to their kind old friend had prompted her few words of advice to the
+girls. And now the strange look&mdash;a look almost of restrained anger&mdash;on
+Jacinth's face positively startled her.</p>
+
+<p>'I may have been mistaken in my impression that the family in question
+was in any way related to you,' she said quietly. 'One should be more
+cautious in such matters.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' said Lady Myrtle, nervously, 'I think you must have been
+mistaken. I do not know anything of such people, and Harper is not a
+very uncommon name. By the way, that reminds me&mdash;was it you, my dear?'
+and she turned somewhat abruptly to Frances&mdash;'was it not you who once
+mentioned some school-fellows of the name, and afterwards something was
+said which removed the impression that they could possibly be Elvedon
+Harpers? I am confused about it.'</p>
+
+<p>All this time Frances's eyes had been fixed on her plate; she had
+scarcely dared to breathe since her aunt's allusion. Now she looked up,
+bravely, though her cheeks were flaming and her heart beating as if to
+choke her. An inner voice seemed to tell her that the moment had come
+for <i>something</i> to be said&mdash;the something which even Camilla Harper in
+her letter had not debarred her from, which her own mother had hoped
+some opportunity might arise for.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And in spite of Jacinth's stony face, and her aunt's evident wish to
+change the subject which she herself had brought on to the <i>tapis</i>,
+Frances spoke out.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, Lady Myrtle,' she said clearly. 'It was I that spoke about Bessie
+and Margaret Harper. They were at school with us then, and before that,
+their big sister Camilla was there. But they've left now, I'm afraid,'
+and her voice trembled a little. 'I think it's because their father's
+very ill, and it costs a lot, and they're not at all rich. They're the
+very nicest girls in the world; oh, they <i>are</i> so good and nice.&mdash;You
+said so too, Jacinth?'</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle's eyes turned to Jacinth.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' the elder girl replied coldly; 'I believe they are very nice
+girls. But I did not know them nearly as well as you, Frances. I do not
+care for making friends as you do.'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' said Frances, rather lamely. 'I know you don't; but still I'd like
+you to tell Lady Myrtle how nice they are.'</p>
+
+<p>'Why should it interest Lady Myrtle to hear about your school-fellows,
+my dear?' said Miss Mildmay, surprised and a little annoyed by Frances's
+rather pertinacious manner. 'These girls are very nice, I have no doubt;
+indeed I recollect Miss Scarlett speaking very highly of them; but no
+one doubts it. I think all your school-fellows must be nice girls&mdash;not
+only the Harpers. And the name may be a mere coincidence. I have never
+heard certainly that they were of the Elvedon family.'</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle had not seemed to be attending to what Miss Mildmay said.
+She was speaking to herself.</p>
+
+<p>'"Camilla,"' she murmured softly, '"Camilla" and "Margaret." Not
+"Bessie;" no I never heard of a Bessie, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> "Margaret" is not uncommon.
+But "Camilla"&mdash;yes, I suppose it must be.'</p>
+
+<p>But just as she said this, Miss Mildmay's last words&mdash;the good lady had
+rather an emphatic way of speaking&mdash;rang out clearly: 'I have never
+heard certainly that they were of the Elvedon family.'</p>
+
+<p>'That's just it,' said Frances, and by this time Lady Myrtle's attention
+was fully caught. 'Of course I don't mean to contradict you, Aunt
+Alison, but I <i>do</i> know they're the same family, and so they are
+relations of Lady Myrtle's. And it's not only that I like them. I'm so
+very sorry for them, so <i>very</i> sorry. They are all so good, and they
+have so very, very many troubles,' and here the irrepressible tears rose
+to poor Frances's eyes, and she turned her head away abruptly.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle glanced at her and then at Jacinth. Jacinth's face was quiet
+and very grave.</p>
+
+<p>'You are a very loyal friend, I see, Frances,' said the old lady; and
+rather to every one's surprise the words were accompanied by a little
+smile, and then she turned to Jacinth.</p>
+
+<p>'I don't think you have ever named these&mdash;these Harpers&mdash;to me, have
+you, my dear?' she asked.</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth looked up at once.</p>
+
+<p>'No,' she said; 'I have not, and I have refrained from doing so on
+purpose. I&mdash;I did not think it concerned me, and you might not have
+liked it. I&mdash;I should be so sorry to vex you.'</p>
+
+<p>The appeal in her eyes touched Lady Myrtle more than Frances's tears.
+And in what she said, so far as it went, Jacinth was sincere. She did
+shrink from any possible allusion that could annoy or upset her kind
+friend; and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> selfish motives underlying the prejudice, almost
+amounting to positive dislike, which she had allowed to take root in her
+feelings to the Harpers, she blinded herself to, or called by some other
+name.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle was silent, but there was no resentment in her face. She
+only looked sad&mdash;very, very sad.</p>
+
+<p>'You know these girls very much less well than Frances did,' said Miss
+Mildmay, whose sympathies were just now all with Jacinth. 'You see,' she
+went on, turning to her hostess, 'Frances has been in the habit of
+spending holiday afternoons at school&mdash;sometimes when you had kindly
+invited Jacinth here, on a Saturday, for instance.'</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle started a little. Her thoughts had been far away. She leaned
+forward and took hold of Jacinth's hand&mdash;Jacinth was sitting next to
+her, and the servants had left the room&mdash;and patted it affectionately.</p>
+
+<p>'Of course. I know Jacinth is very, very thoughtful for me,' she said.
+'And I see that you understand it, my dear Miss Mildmay. Not that I am
+vexed with little Frances. I like children to be children, and of all
+things I like a loyal friend.'</p>
+
+<p>Then she at once and with evident intention, which the others were quick
+to read, changed the subject of conversation. On the whole, vexed though
+she was with Frances's persistence&mdash;'self-willed obstinacy' as she
+called it to herself&mdash;Jacinth felt that the dreaded crisis had passed
+off better than might have been expected, and in some things it was a
+relief. Things were on a clearer basis now.</p>
+
+<p>'It was bound to come, I suppose,' she said to herself. 'Mamma seems
+almost as impulsive and quixotic as Frances&mdash;quite bewitched by these
+people. But at worst there's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> nothing more to tell now, and Lady Myrtle
+appreciates my feelings if no one else does.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances, on her side, though her heart was still beating tumultuously,
+felt glad that she had had the courage and opportunity to say what she
+had. But for her dread of a private reprimand from Jacinth afterwards,
+the little girl would on the whole have had a somewhat lightened heart
+about her friends. For, as she said to herself, 'Lady Myrtle had
+certainly not seemed angry.'</p>
+
+<p>Strange to say, the anticipated reproof from Jacinth never came. It was
+true there was not much time for any private talk between the sisters,
+for Frances and Eugene went back to Market Square Place that same
+afternoon with their aunt. But even when, a week later, Jacinth herself
+rejoined them there a day or two before the reopening of Ivy Lodge
+school, there was no mention of the Harpers, and no allusion to what had
+passed at luncheon the day of Miss Mildmay's visit to Robin Redbreast.</p>
+
+<p>'Can it be that Lady Myrtle is really going to be kind to them, and that
+she told Jacinth not to be vexed with me?' thought sanguine little
+Frances. She would have felt less hopeful had she known that not one
+word had passed between her sister and the old lady on the subject of
+her unknown relations. And Jacinth had simply made up her mind to think
+no more about them; her conscience now being, or so at least she told
+herself, completely at rest&mdash;the matter entirely out of her hands.</p>
+
+<p>It was the easier to carry out this resolution that Bessie and
+Margaret's places were vacant, though no one seemed very clearly to
+understand why they had not returned, and the Misses Scarlett expressed
+the heartiest regret that they had not done so. Honor Falmouth too had
+left, but this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> had been known by anticipation to her companions for
+some time. And in the little world of a school, as in the bigger world
+outside, it is not for long that the circles in the waters of daily life
+mark the spot of any disappearance; it has to be so, and does not
+necessarily imply either heartlessness or caprice. We are limited as to
+our powers in all directions&mdash;the more marvellous that somewhere,
+invisible, unsuspected, our innermost self lives on. And far down, below
+the surface restlessness and change, may we not hope that we shall find
+again the fibres of loving friendships and pure affections whose roots
+were deep and true, though at times it may seem that like other precious
+and beautiful things they were but as a dream?</p>
+
+<p>Frances missed her friends sadly, the more so that not knowing their
+exact address, and half afraid also to do such a thing on her own
+responsibility, she could not write to them. But nothing depressed
+Frances now for very long or very deeply. She had found a panacea. All
+would be right soon, 'when mamma comes home.'</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 276px;">
+<img src="images/i193.jpg" width="276" height="75" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;">
+<img src="images/i194.jpg" width="550" height="139" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>MAMMA.</h3>
+
+
+<p>At Thetford the weeks till Easter&mdash;it came in the middle of April that
+year&mdash;passed quickly. It is true that every morning, when Frances scored
+out one of the long row of little lines she had made to represent the
+days till that of her mother's arrival, she could not repress a sigh at
+the number yet remaining. But still the time, even for her, passed
+quickly. For she was busy&mdash;working more steadily at her lessons than
+ever before, in the hope of having satisfactory progress to show&mdash;and
+full of the happiest anticipations. Morning and night the faithful,
+simple-hearted girl added to her other petitions the special one that
+things might be so over-ruled as to prevent the necessity of further
+separation.</p>
+
+<p>'It can't be wrong to ask it,' she said to herself, 'for God made
+fathers and mothers and children to be together. It's something wrong
+somewhere when they can't be. And I've got a feeling that it <i>is</i> going
+to be like that for us now. I don't care a bit where we live&mdash;that place
+in the north or anywhere&mdash;if only we're with them.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth, too, on the whole was happy in her own way. Personally,
+perhaps, she longed less for her mother's presence and sympathy than
+Frances did, for she was by nature more self-sufficing. And when one
+scarcely knows till one is fifteen or sixteen what it is to have a
+mother and a real home<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> of one's own, small wonder if the inestimable
+blessings of such possessions are barely realised. Then, too, Jacinth's
+frequent visits to Lady Myrtle, and the old lady's ever-increasing
+affection for and interest in her had almost filled up the voids the
+girl had at first felt bitterly enough in her new life. She would in
+many ways have been quite content for things to go on as they were for a
+year or two. And if she built castles in the air, it must be allowed
+that Lady Myrtle was to a great extent responsible for their
+construction.</p>
+
+<p>'I can scarcely fancy feeling as if mamma were more of a mother to me
+than you seem now,' she said one day to her old friend.</p>
+
+<p>'Nay,' Lady Myrtle replied, 'I must represent a grandmother. You really
+do not know what a mother feels like, dear child.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well,' Jacinth went on, 'perhaps that's it. But somehow I think mamma
+will seem more a sort of elder sister to me. And I hope she will take it
+that way. We shall get on better if she does. I&mdash;I'm afraid I shouldn't
+be very good about giving in. You see I've never had to do it much.'</p>
+
+<p>She smiled a little as she made the confession.</p>
+
+<p>'I can scarcely imagine you anything but docile, my dear,' said Lady
+Myrtle; 'but then, of course, I know I have not seen you really tested.
+I fancy, however, there will be a mingling of the elder-sisterly feeling
+in your relations to your mother, and I hope there will be. I think she
+has a high opinion of your good sense and judgment, and I don't expect
+that she will have any cause to change her opinion.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth sat silent for a moment or two. She seemed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> to be thinking
+deeply; her eyes were fixed on the fire, where the wooden logs were
+throwing out brilliant gleams of varying colours, reflected on the
+bright brasses of the grate and fender.</p>
+
+<p>'How pretty everything here always is!' she said at last. 'Even to the
+burning wood. Look, Lady Myrtle, it is blue and purple and even green.'</p>
+
+<p>'They are old ship logs,' her friend replied. 'It is the brine in them
+that makes the colours.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh dear,' said Jacinth again with a little sigh, 'how I should love a
+pretty home. Lady Myrtle, I am afraid you will be shocked at me, but do
+you know I sometimes almost feel I would rather papa and mamma went back
+to India next year than that we should have to go to live at that
+horrible dingy Barmettle.'</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle was not <i>shocked</i>. Still, she was too unselfish by nature
+herself not to be quick to check any symptoms of an opposite character
+in one she really cared for, glad though she was to have Jacinth's full
+confidence.</p>
+
+<p>'I think you would bear such a trial as that, readily and cheerfully, if
+it were for your father and mother's good,' she said. 'And after all,
+where we live is not of the importance that I daresay it seems to you.
+Some of the truly happiest people I have ever known have been so in
+spite of the most uncongenial surroundings you can imagine.'</p>
+
+<p>'I'm not as good as that,' said Jacinth in a melancholy voice. 'I can't
+bear ugly, messy places; above all, messy, untidy places make me
+perfectly cross and miserable.'</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle could not help laughing a little at her tragic tone.</p>
+
+<p>'I don't see that, even if you had to live at Barmettle, your home need
+be ugly and untidy,' she said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'I don't know. I've been thinking a good deal about it,' Jacinth
+replied. 'You see, mamma will have been so long in India that she will
+have got out of English ways. She must be accustomed to lots of servants
+and to have everything done for her. I'm afraid it will be very
+difficult and uncomfortable.'</p>
+
+<p>'But she would have you and Frances to help her,' said Lady Myrtle. 'At
+least&mdash;no, dear Jacinth, you really must not anticipate troubles that
+may never, that I trust <i>will</i> never come.'</p>
+
+<p>Then she hesitated and stopped short, and seemed to be thinking deeply.</p>
+
+<p>'My dearest child,' she said at last, 'you are very young, and I have a
+great dread of forgetting how young you are. I have too, as you know, a
+very great respect for parental authority. I would never take upon
+myself to interfere in any real way with your life, unless I had your
+father and mother's approval. But this I may say, so far as I can
+possibly influence them and the whole circumstances, you may rely upon
+it that this nightmare of Barmettle shall never be anything but a
+nightmare. Though at the same time I am most strongly of opinion that
+your father must <i>not</i> return to India.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, thank you, dear Lady Myrtle, thank you a thousand times for what
+you say,' said Jacinth.</p>
+
+<p>'It is your father's health I am thinking of too,' said the old lady.
+'Your aunt feels sure that it is time for him to come home for good. He
+has been out there so long, and he is not a young man. He is a good deal
+older than your mother.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' Jacinth replied. 'He is fifteen years older; and mamma has always
+been wonderfully strong. But even for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> her it would be much nicer to
+come home now. Seventeen years is a long time, and only one year and one
+six-months at home! Oh, I do feel so much happier since you have spoken
+so to me&mdash;even though it makes me rather frightened about papa. It would
+be terrible for his health to fail.'</p>
+
+<p>'We must make him take it in time,' said Lady Myrtle cheerfully. 'I
+don't think there is any cause for immediate anxiety. Yes&mdash;nothing is
+sadder than when the head of a house breaks down prematurely.'</p>
+
+<p>Her words, following upon her own, struck Jacinth curiously. What was it
+they made her think of? What family had she been hearing of whose father
+was in bad health? Ah&mdash;yes, it was these Harpers! How tiresome it was
+that they seemed always to be 'turning up,' as Jacinth expressed it to
+herself! There were scores and scores of other families in as bad
+trouble as they; the world was full of such cases.</p>
+
+<p>'If Frances had been here,' thought Jacinth, 'she would have been
+certain to begin about them and their father&mdash;only annoying Lady Myrtle
+and doing no good. Not but that I'm very sorry for them. I hope their
+father is better, I'm sure.'</p>
+
+<p>Alas! these two or three months had not passed so quickly or so brightly
+in the&mdash;no, I must not say in the Harpers' pleasant though plain old
+house at Southcliff, for Hedge End was let, and the three girls were
+living in Mrs Newing's tiny rooms in Harbour Street&mdash;the rooms where
+Camilla had declared they would be so cosy and comfortable, enjoying a
+rest from all housekeeping cares.</p>
+
+<p>And as far as the material details of their life was concerned they
+would have been more than content, though it was a new experience to
+them to be even temporarily<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> without a home; and now and then Camilla
+and Bessie grew a little anxious about Margaret, and wondered if they
+were taking as good care of her as mother would have done. For the
+little girl looked very pale and delicate sometimes, and her appetite
+was fitful.</p>
+
+<p>'I wonder if it is Mrs Newing's cooking,' said Camilla to her
+confidante, Bessie. 'At home we could always get some nice little thing;
+mother is so clever in that way, with father having been so long ill.
+But here it would be impossible to try to cook anything ourselves.'</p>
+
+<p>'And whatever we do, we mustn't worry mother about Margaret,' said
+Bessie. 'Mother needs all the cheering possible to keep up her spirits,
+with dear father being so suffering still. Oh, Camilla, I <i>wonder</i> if we
+shall soon have better news?'</p>
+
+<p>Things had not improved, even to the limited extent which was all that
+Captain Harper had counted upon, as rapidly as the former time that he
+had been an inmate of the private hospital for three months. He was
+weaker than then, and perhaps his intense anxiety to benefit by the
+effort that had in every sense cost them all so dear, was against him.</p>
+
+<p>The doctors, so wrote Mrs Harper to her elder girls, now spoke of three
+months more, not as desirable but as a necessity. And how it was to be
+managed she could not see. Furthermore, to give a chance of anything
+approaching cure, or rather lasting improvement, the regulation visit to
+the German baths <i>must</i>, they now declared, be followed up by a winter
+in a mild, dry climate.</p>
+
+<p>'Of this,' said the mother, 'we are not even <i>thinking</i>. The three more
+months here are all we can contemplate, and I dare not tell your father
+how impossible even that seems.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> It is out of the question, as he is, to
+move him to an ordinary hospital where I could not be with him. I
+believe if we did so he would give up the struggle and quietly resign
+himself to leaving us.'</p>
+
+<p>'Camilla, he <i>must</i> stay,' said Bessie. 'There is one thing, these
+people do want to keep on the house longer?'</p>
+
+<p>'For two months&mdash;not three,' said Camilla, 'and we have not yet given
+them a decided answer.'</p>
+
+<p>'Then let us take it upon ourselves <i>to</i> decide,' said Bessie. 'And we
+will write and tell mother that is settled. And what else <i>can</i> we do,
+Camilla? Father <i>must</i> stay as long as the doctors think necessary. It
+is the middle of March now; he has been there two months. I suppose he
+should stay till the middle or end of July.'</p>
+
+<p>'And then go abroad,' said Camilla.</p>
+
+<p>'Ah well, we scarcely can hope for that. But I think, Camilla, you
+should write to Aunt Flora: father will never do it, and mother would
+not without his leave. But <i>we</i> can. Ask her to lend us some money,
+whatever is strictly necessary, and tell her that <i>somehow</i> we will
+repay her. She is very generous, and she would never forgive us if we
+let father lose the last chance, for want of anything she could do.'</p>
+
+<p>'But she has so little ready money,' said Camilla. 'I don't know if they
+are bad managers, for they have a good income, but it all seems to go.'</p>
+
+<p>'Father says they cannot help it. Uncle Lyle has so much to keep up out
+there&mdash;entertaining and all sorts of things,' said Bessie. 'But I am
+sure they would manage to lend us&mdash;how much?&mdash;fifty or a hundred pounds?
+And Camilla, we <i>will</i> repay it. Can we not save a little on our living?
+I suppose we couldn't do with a room less; it would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> not be wholesome
+for Margaret. And for her sake too we must not attempt still plainer
+food.'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' said Camilla, 'I fear that is impossible. You see Margaret is so
+quick. She would notice in a moment if you and I eat less or at all
+differently from her. But&mdash;yes, perhaps the time has come when we must
+apply definitely to Aunt Flora. I will write by the next mail.'</p>
+
+<p>'And Camilla, if we tide over this present trouble,' said Bessie, 'I
+think you or I must do something&mdash;something to earn money by. I am too
+young to be a governess yet, but I know&mdash;she almost said it to me&mdash;that
+Miss Scarlett would take me even now as a sort of pupil-teacher, and two
+years hence I think I might be a governess&mdash;to young children.'</p>
+
+<p>'It may have to be,' the elder sister agreed. 'But the question is
+<i>which</i> of us should go. I could be a governess already, but then that
+stops your and Margaret's education. And, Bessie, it would be rather
+additionally trying to father and mother&mdash;father especially&mdash;for you to
+be in that kind of position at <i>Thetford</i>, the very part of the country
+our family comes from. And so near to Robin Redbreast too.'</p>
+
+<p>Bessie reared her head. '<i>I</i> don't mind that,' she said. 'I should
+rather like it the better.'</p>
+
+<p>'But <i>father</i>?' said Camilla gently. And brave Bessie was silent.</p>
+
+<p>The letter to Mrs Lyle was written and sent. It reached her in her new
+Indian quarters about ten days before Mrs Mildmay started on her return
+home.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>It was May; the charming capricious month we dream of all the year
+round, always believing&mdash;thanks to poets and childish remembrances
+rose-coloured by the lapse of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> time&mdash;that if the weather is cold and
+gray and generally disappointing this year, it is quite an exception and
+never has been so before: it was May before the day came on which Lady
+Myrtle Goodacre's landau set off in state for Thetford railway station,
+with Jacinth, Frances, and Eugene already occupying it, and a vacant
+seat for Miss Alison Mildmay whom they were to call for on the way.</p>
+
+<p>Frances and even Eugene were almost speechless with excitement: Jacinth,
+though wound up to a tremendous pitch, was too proud and too
+self-contained by habit to show what she was feeling.</p>
+
+<p>'Lady Myrtle <i>hopes</i> you will come back with us, Aunt Alison,' she said
+quietly, 'at least to spend the rest of the day, as you wouldn't consent
+to come to stay for two or three.'</p>
+
+<p>Miss Mildmay, before replying, glanced at her niece with a curious sort
+of admiration, not altogether free from disappointment.</p>
+
+<p>'Jacinth certainly is extraordinarily self-controlled,' she thought.
+Very self-controlled, like very reserved people do not always entirely
+appreciate their own characteristics in another! But aloud she replied
+much in the same matter-of-fact tone.</p>
+
+<p>'It is very good of her, but I would rather find my own way home from
+the station. I will come out to Robin Redbreast to-morrow or the day
+after to have a talk with your mother. She will have more than enough to
+occupy her to-day.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth secretly commended her aunt's good sense, but the younger ones
+seemed a little sorry. They wanted everybody to be as happy as
+themselves.</p>
+
+<p>'It isn't that you don't think there'd be room enough in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> the carriage,
+Aunt Alison, is it?' said Frances, anxiously. 'For the closed wagonette
+is coming too for mamma's maid and the luggage, and I wouldn't mind the
+least bit getting into it.'</p>
+
+<p>'Or I could go on the box,' suggested Eugene. 'I could <i>quite</i> squeeze
+in between Bailey and Fred, and I'm sure they wouldn't mind.'</p>
+
+<p>'Thank you, dears,' said Miss Mildmay, more warmly than she had spoken
+to Jacinth; 'thank you very much. No; it is not on that account. And
+indeed there is plenty of room in here for Eugene extra. But I shall
+enjoy more, coming to-morrow or the day after, and then you must all
+spare me your mother for an hour or so.'</p>
+
+<p>The train was late of course. There was that strange odd bit of time we
+all know so well&mdash;of waiting and expectancy, intensified of course in
+the present case by the fact that the mother they were about to meet was
+literally a stranger to the three children. Even Jacinth was a good deal
+paler than her wont, when at last the train slowly steamed into the
+station and drew up beside the platform where they were standing.</p>
+
+<p>Would she have known her mother, she asked herself afterwards? Scarcely;
+there were several passengers who <i>might</i> have been <i>the</i> one. She felt
+almost bewildered when Aunt Alison turned from all, to hurry forward to
+greet a slight, girlish-looking figure&mdash;girlish in herself, though not
+in attire or bearing&mdash;who was gazing about her with eager eyes.</p>
+
+<p>'Eugenia.'</p>
+
+<p>'Alison,' and the two sisters-in-law had caught each other's hands and
+kissed each other before Jacinth had really taken in that this was
+'mamma!'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Then Miss Mildmay drew back without another word than 'Here they are! I
+did want to give them over to you, myself, you see,' and her usually
+calm voice trembled a little.</p>
+
+<p>And Jacinth felt an arm thrown round her, and the words whispered into
+her ear, 'My darling child!' and for almost the first time in her life a
+choking sensation that was not pain, and a rush to her eyes of tears
+that were not sorrow, made her dimly conscious that she knew her own
+nature and its depths less fully than she had imagined.</p>
+
+<p>And then in turn she fell back a little while the two younger ones, with
+a glad cry from Francie of 'Mamma, mamma!' and a solemn 'It's me; I'm
+Eugene,' from the small brother, were drawn close, close, by the arms
+that had not held them for so long, and kissed as they never remembered
+having been kissed before.</p>
+
+<p>And somehow&mdash;I don't think any of them could ever clearly have told how;
+perhaps Mrs Mildmay's maid had a head on her shoulders and was equal to
+the occasion&mdash;they all found themselves in the landau again; all, that
+is to say, except Aunt Alison, who stood waving good-bye to them all
+from the curbstone, her face for once actually rosy with excitement.</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma!' said Frances, and then she stopped short. 'It's too lovely, I
+can't speak.'</p>
+
+<p>Eugene was stroking his mother's mantle. It was of soft downy material,
+rich in colour and texture.</p>
+
+<p>'How pretty!' he said.</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth glanced at it and the rest of her mother's attire, and at her
+mother herself. She felt proud of her, of her undeniable beauty and air
+of distinction&mdash;proud to present her to Lady Myrtle&mdash;and yet&mdash;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span>&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'I wonder if mamma is very much taken up with her clothes,' she thought.
+'I wonder if she is extravagant. I expect I <i>shall</i> have to take a good
+deal upon me, as Lady Myrtle said. I suppose people in India really grow
+very unpractical.'</p>
+
+<p>Poor Lady Myrtle! Little had she intended her words to be thus
+travestied.</p>
+
+<p>But the reflection was not disagreeable to Jacinth, to whom a position
+of responsibility and management was always congenial. She took her
+mother's hand in hers, and smiling at Eugene replied: 'Yes indeed. What
+lovely fur trimming, mamma! And what a pretty bonnet! You couldn't have
+had that in India, surely?'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' said Mrs Mildmay, smiling back at her children, 'I got one or two
+things in London yesterday. I thought you would like me to look nice,
+especially as I was going straight to Robin Redbreast. I don't believe
+poor dear Aunt Alison would have seen any difference if I had come back
+in the same clothes I went away in all those years ago.'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' agreed Frances, 'I don't believe she would.'</p>
+
+<p>But Jacinth looked a little grave; she could not quite 'make out' her
+mother.</p>
+
+<p>'Aunt Alison spends almost nothing on herself,' she said. 'She gives
+away every farthing she possibly can.'</p>
+
+<p>'I know she does, dear. She is the most self-denying person in those
+ways that I have ever met,' said Mrs Mildmay heartily, though mentally
+hoping to herself that Jacinth was not very matter-of-fact. But Eugene
+was looking very solemn.</p>
+
+<p>'What are you thinking of, my boy? his mother asked.</p>
+
+<p>'Those clothes,' he said, 'those clothes what you went<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> away with. They
+must be wored out. I was only two when you went away, mamma?'</p>
+
+<p>This made them all laugh, which was perhaps a good thing&mdash;a slight
+relief to the over-excitement which in their different ways all had been
+experiencing.</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma,' said Frances earnestly, when the laughter had calmed down, 'I
+<i>must</i> tell you, I had no idea you were so pretty. I think you are the
+very prettiest person I ever saw.'</p>
+
+<p>'So do I,' Eugene chimed in.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Mildmay could not resist kissing again the two sweet flushed faces.</p>
+
+<p>'My darlings,' she said, 'I hope you will always think so, in one way,
+even when my hair is white and my face old and wrinkled.'</p>
+
+<p>'I hope,' thought Jacinth to herself, 'I hope mamma isn't&mdash;not vain,
+it's such a contemptible word&mdash;but I hope she doesn't care too much for
+looks and outside things of that kind.'</p>
+
+<p>But the very defining her thoughts startled her. She knew she had no
+right to begin criticising her mother in this way, and she pulled
+herself up.</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma,' she said, and her tone was both perfectly natural and simple,
+and more unconstrained than Mrs Mildmay had yet heard it&mdash;'mamma, isn't
+it really delightful, and isn't it almost wonderful that we should be
+all staying with Lady Myrtle and taking you to her? Isn't it really like
+a fairy story?'</p>
+
+<p>'It is indeed,' said Mrs Mildmay. 'It <i>is</i> wonderful. The way that she
+seemed to start up just when&mdash;so soon after we had lost dear granny, and
+in a sense our home.'</p>
+
+<p>'It would have been lovely, of course, for you to come<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> back to us
+anyway,' said Frances, 'but it wouldn't have been <i>so</i> lovely if we'd
+all been going to Aunt Alison's. It's <i>rather</i> a poky place, you know,
+mamma, and in India I suppose the houses are all <i>enormous</i>. I can only
+remember like in a dream, about very big, very white rooms.'</p>
+
+<p>'The last house we've had was far from <i>enormous</i>,' said her mother with
+a smile, 'still it was very nice. I often wished you and Jassie could
+have been with us there.'</p>
+
+<p>'But&mdash;oh mamma, you'll never go back again,' pleaded Frances. 'We've got
+dear papa's coming to look forward to now, and after that&mdash;never mind
+<i>where</i> we live, if only we stay together.'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Mildmay smiled, though for the first time with a touch of sadness.</p>
+
+<p>'Don't let us spoil to-day by looking forward, dear; except, as you say,
+to your father's coming. If he were here, everything <i>would</i> seem
+perfect.'</p>
+
+<p>'And here's Robin Redbreast,' exclaimed Jacinth, as they turned the
+corner of the lane, 'and "Uncle Marmy's gates" wide open in your honour.
+Generally we drive in at the side. Now, mamma, take a good look. First
+impressions are everything, you know. Isn't <i>this</i> perfect?'</p>
+
+<p>She seemed full of enthusiasm, which her mother was glad to see and
+quick to respond to.</p>
+
+<p>'It <i>is</i> beautiful: I have never seen anything like it,' she replied
+warmly. 'And <i>could</i> there have been a more exquisite day?'</p>
+
+<p>'And mamma, mamma,' cried Eugene, 'you know, don't you, it was all me
+that got friends with Lady Myrtle; me, with getting&mdash;<i>wursty</i>, that day,
+you know?'</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;">
+<img src="images/i208.jpg" width="550" height="133" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+
+<h3>A COURAGEOUS PLEADER.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle was standing in the porch. It seemed to her only fitting
+that she should come thus far to welcome such a guest, and something in
+her almost tremulously affectionate greeting touched Mrs Mildmay keenly.</p>
+
+<p>'It is <i>so</i> good of you&mdash;meeting me like this,' the younger woman
+whispered, as she threw her arms round her old friend. 'And, oh, how
+delightful it is to have you and this to come to!'</p>
+
+<p>'My dear, my dear,' said Lady Myrtle, 'don't thank me. Only let me see
+that you and your children are happy and at home with me; that is <i>all</i>
+I care about.'</p>
+
+<p>And again she kissed the Eugenia she had not seen since her childhood.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Mildmay was very like Frances; correctly speaking, one should put it
+the other way, but as a new actor on the scene of this little story it
+is natural thus to express it. Her face had something indescribably
+childlike about it; her blue eyes were almost wistful, though the whole
+expression was bright and happy and very changeful. Yet there was plenty
+of 'character'&mdash;no dearth of good firm lines, with yet an entire absence
+of anything denoting hardness or obstinacy; the whole giving from the
+first candid glance an impression of extreme ingenuousness and
+single-mindedness.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 442px;">
+<img src="images/i209.jpg" width="442" height="600" alt="&#39;It is so good of you, meeting me like this,&#39; the younger
+woman whispered, as she threw her arms round her old friend." title="" />
+<span class="caption">&#39;It is so good of you, meeting me like this,&#39; the younger
+woman whispered, as she threw her arms round her old friend.</span>
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'You are not like your mother,' said Lady Myrtle, when the little group
+had made its way into the drawing-room where tea was already waiting. 'I
+knew you were not. Yet something in your voice recalls her. I suppose
+you can <i>scarcely</i> remember her,' she went on, 'not well enough to see
+the really marvellous resemblance between her and my child here&mdash;my
+child as well as yours?' and she smiled at Jacinth who was standing by,
+and laid her hand affectionately on the girl's arm.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh yes,' Mrs Mildmay replied, 'I remember enough for that. And then I
+have one or two excellent portraits, besides the large one at
+Stannesley; at least my father always told me they were excellent. And
+even when Jassie was quite tiny, he saw the likeness and was delighted
+at it. But I&mdash;I am quite "Denison" I know, and so are Francie and
+Eugene. The odd thing is that Jassie is also in some ways more like the
+Mildmays than the two others.'</p>
+
+<p>'I have never seen your husband, you know,' said Lady Myrtle. 'I can't
+say that the likeness to good Miss Alison Mildmay has ever struck me.'</p>
+
+<p>The quaint way in which the old lady said it made them all smile a
+little&mdash;all, that is to say, except Jacinth. She had not altogether
+relished her mother's remark.</p>
+
+<p>But that evening was a most happy one&mdash;perhaps the very happiest the two
+younger children had ever known&mdash;and one certainly to be marked with a
+white stone in the memory of all the five who spent it together. By a
+tacit agreement no uncertain or anxious questions were touched upon. Mrs
+Mildmay was able to give a good account of their father's health at the
+time of her leaving him, to the children, and made them all laugh by her
+account of her brother Marmaduke's description of the terrible formality
+of that first<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> evening at Market Square Place. She seemed gifted with a
+wonderful amount of fun and merriment: Jacinth caught herself laughing
+after a fashion which was very rare with her.</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma is ever so much <i>younger</i> than I,' she said to herself when she
+found herself alone for the night. 'She is as charming and sweet as she
+can be. But I can foresee some things pretty clearly. It is a good thing
+I am of a different character. What would happen if we were all as
+impulsive and'&mdash;'childish' was the word in her thoughts, but again she
+felt a little startled at the length to which her criticism of her
+mother was going, and pulled herself up&mdash;'as impulsive as Francie, and
+as mamma must be by nature?'</p>
+
+<p>And she fell asleep in the midst of a not unpleasing picture of herself
+as the wise, considerate prop of the whole family, looked up to by her
+parents, leant upon by Lady Myrtle, a Lady Bountiful to all within her
+reach, a&mdash;&mdash;But here I think her imaginings probably faded into the
+phantasmagoria of dreams.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Mildmay had bidden her elder girl a fond good-night; then she
+hastened along the passage for a moment's peep into Frances's little
+room.</p>
+
+<p>'The child will be asleep, I daresay,' she thought to herself. 'It is
+almost selfish of me to risk waking her. But I will be very careful, and
+I really cannot resist the delight of seeing them in bed, of knowing
+they are under the same roof again at last.'</p>
+
+<p>And she stole in. It was a moonlight night. Francie had been in bed some
+little time, but she was not asleep. She was lying with her eyes wide
+open gazing out through the unshaded window, which was within her view,
+at the tree<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> tops, illumined by the silvery radiance, and swaying gently
+in the soft night breeze; her shaggy hair making a background on the
+pillow for her sweet, childish face. And at the faint sound her mother
+made on entering she started up.</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma, mamma!' she cried, as Mrs Mildmay knelt down and threw her arms
+round the little figure. 'My own little mamma, my own, my own! to think
+it <i>is</i> you, to think I really and truly have you. Oh, can I <i>ever</i> be
+so happy again! Oh, mamma darling, I don't know <i>how</i> to thank God
+enough; that was what I was thinking about when you came in. No, no, you
+didn't wake me. I haven't been asleep.'</p>
+
+<p>'My darling, my own little girl!' whispered Mrs Mildmay.</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma dear,' Frances went on, after a moment's beautiful silence. 'I
+feel already that I can tell you <i>everything</i>. Now there's one thing;
+it's come into my mind again since I've been in bed; I'm afraid I forgot
+about it in the first <i>rush</i> of happiness, you know, but now I've
+remembered. Mamma, don't you think when we're awfully happy we should
+try to do something for other people&mdash;that God means us to? Well, it's
+about the Harpers. Oh, mamma, I'm afraid they are having such very bad
+troubles just now.'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Mildmay started a little.</p>
+
+<p>'You don't mean, dear&mdash;you haven't heard anything <i>quite</i> lately, about
+the father, Captain Harper, have you?'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' said Frances, 'I've not heard anything. Miss Falmouth was the only
+girl who knew about them away from school, and she has left. But you
+remember I wrote to you that Bessie and Margaret mightn't come back, and
+they haven't. And I'm <i>sure</i> it's because they've got poorer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> with their
+father being so ill. Mamma, did you hear anything more from their aunt
+before you left?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' said Mrs Mildmay sadly. 'I heard a good deal. All there is to
+hear, indeed. A letter from the eldest daughter, Camilla Harper&mdash;the one
+who wrote to you&mdash;came to Mrs Lyle just before I left. She showed it to
+me. I am afraid it is as you say, Francie; they have very heavy troubles
+and anxieties indeed.'</p>
+
+<p>'And <i>don't</i> you think they're good, really very good people, mamma?'
+asked the child eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>'I think they seem quite wonderfully good,' said her mother, warmly. 'I
+cannot understand; I mean I can scarcely realise, how they can all be so
+brave and cheerful, when one thing after another&mdash;one misfortune after
+another&mdash;has come to try them so terribly. Yes, it almost frightens me
+to think of our happiness in comparison with their troubles, Francie.'</p>
+
+<p>'But mamma,' and Frances hesitated. 'If we can do anything to help them?
+Wouldn't that make it seem <i>righter</i>? I mean as if we were meant to do
+it.'</p>
+
+<p>'I <i>am</i> going to try,' said Mrs Mildmay. Her voice was low and quiet,
+but it carried assurance with it. 'Your father and I talked a great deal
+about it after we heard the worst of things from Mrs Lyle. And we
+decided that it would be only right, even at the risk of annoying or
+even offending Lady Myrtle. It seems "meant" as you say, Francie&mdash;the
+coincidences of it all&mdash;my coming straight here, and that letter
+reaching Mrs Lyle just before I left. So we quite made up our minds
+about it.'</p>
+
+<p>Frances drew a deep breath of thankfulness.</p>
+
+<p>'It does seem as if everything I have most wanted was going to come,'
+she said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Then, as her mother, after kissing her again, was turning to leave the
+room, telling her she really 'must go to sleep,' the little girl called
+her back for a moment.</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma, dear,' she said. 'If you don't mind, would you please not say
+anything to Jass about what we've been talking of.'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Mildmay looked a little surprised.</p>
+
+<p>'Why not, dear? Why should I not tell her as well as you?'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh well, because Jass didn't know Bessie and Margaret nearly as well as
+I did, and you must have seen by her letters that she didn't care about
+them like me,' said Frances.</p>
+
+<p>'But that does not, in one way, much signify,' replied her mother. 'Once
+Jacinth knows all about them she will feel as we do: your father and I
+do not know any of them personally. It is not as friends of ours that I
+would in any way plead their cause with their own near relation.'</p>
+
+<p>'No, of course not,' said Frances. But still she did not seem satisfied.
+'Jacinth has always been so afraid of vexing Lady Myrtle by seeming to
+interfere,' she said. 'And even Aunt Alison said it was better not.'</p>
+
+<p>'Very likely not. You are both too young to have it in your power to do
+anything. Still, I am sure you have lost no opportunity of speaking
+highly of the girls whom you <i>do</i> think so highly of.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' said Frances, quietly. 'I have done that. But somehow, mamma, I
+have vexed Jass about it several times. I shouldn't like her to think I
+had "spoilt" your first evening, by beginning about the Harpers. That's
+what she might say.'</p>
+
+<p>'I will give her no reason for being vexed with you, dear. I can
+understand her fear of vexing Lady Myrtle&mdash;I feel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> the same myself&mdash;and
+when I tell her, Jacinth, all about it, it will be in no way mixed up
+with you, Francie. She will only need to understand the whole thing
+thoroughly to agree with us.'</p>
+
+<p>And Frances fell asleep in happy confidence that 'mamma' would put it
+all right. How delightful it was to have her at hand to lean upon!</p>
+
+<p>But Mrs Mildmay had spoken rather more confidently about Jacinth than
+she quite felt. Frances's words reminded her of the cold, unsympathising
+way in which her elder daughter had alluded in her letters to the
+Harpers; after knowing all that Frances had written to her mother.</p>
+
+<p>'Jacinth is thoughtful and considerate beyond her years,' thought she,
+'but I do trust she is no way selfish or calculating. Oh no, that is
+impossible. I must not be fanciful. Marmy warned me that I might find
+her self-contained and even self-opinionated, but that is very different
+from anything mean or selfish. It is sad, all the same, to know nothing
+of one's own child for one's self, at first hand. Whatever the poor
+Harpers' trials have been,' she went on, as Frances had once said to
+Bessie, 'at least they have been spared this terrible, unnatural
+separation.'</p>
+
+<p>And the thought brought back to her again the task that was before her
+on the morrow. She was not a little nervous about it. 'But I must not
+delay,' she said to herself. 'If anything is to be done to help them in
+this present crisis, it must be at once. And I promised Mrs Lyle not to
+put off. I wonder when I shall have the best chance of a good talk with
+Lady Myrtle. Alison is coming over in the morning, she said. Naturally
+she is anxious to hear all about Frank. I wish it had not happened that
+I was obliged to begin upon a certainly <i>painful</i>, a possibly offensive
+topic with the dear<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> old lady just at the very first! And when she is so
+very, very good to us!'</p>
+
+<p>But Eugenia Mildmay was not the type of woman to shrink from what she
+believed to be an undoubted duty because it was painful to herself, or
+even to others.</p>
+
+<p>'Dear little Frances,' was almost her last waking thought, 'I feel as if
+I already understood <i>her</i> perfectly. And oh, I do hope I shall be wise
+and judicious with my Jassie too.'</p>
+
+<p>Every trace of fatigue had vanished from Mrs Mildmay's bright face when
+they all met at breakfast the next morning; the 'all' including Lady
+Myrtle, who had now begun again to come down early, since the fine mild
+weather had, for the time, dispelled her chronic bronchitis. She looked
+round the table with a beaming face.</p>
+
+<p>'It is long since I have had such a party at breakfast,' she said.
+'Never before, I think, indeed, since I have been settled at Robin
+Redbreast, and that is a good while ago. To make it perfect we only want
+your husband, Eugenia, whom you know, I have never seen.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well, I hope it will not be very long before you do see him; and I can
+assure you he is very eager to see you, dear Lady Myrtle,' replied Mrs
+Mildmay.</p>
+
+<p>'<i>How</i> like mamma is to Frances!' thought Jacinth. It struck her even
+more forcibly this morning than the day before.</p>
+
+<p>'Is Colonel Mildmay dark or fair? Does he resemble his sister?' inquired
+the old lady.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Mildmay considered.</p>
+
+<p>'No; I scarcely think so,' she said. 'And yet there is a family
+likeness. The odd thing is, as I was saying, that though Jacinth "takes
+after" my mother's family so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> decidedly, yet she is more like the
+Mildmays than either Francie or Eugene.'</p>
+
+<p>'I don't see it, I confess,' said Lady Myrtle drily, and Mrs Mildmay
+caught for the first time a glimpse of the cold manner the old lady
+could assume if not altogether well pleased. But in less than an instant
+Lady Myrtle seemed herself to regret it. 'I mean to say I see no
+resemblance in Jacinth to Miss Alison Mildmay. Of course I cannot judge
+as to her having any to her father.'</p>
+
+<p>'Papa has dark hair, like Jass,' said Frances. 'But he's very
+nice-looking.'</p>
+
+<p>'The "but" doesn't sound very complimentary to me, Francie,' said
+Jacinth laughingly; and her mother, glancing at her, was struck by the
+wonderful charm of the smile that overspread her face.</p>
+
+<p>'I wasn't thinking of you that way,' said Frances, bluntly. 'I was
+thinking of Aunt Alison.'</p>
+
+<p>'Aunt Alison's not pretty,' said Eugene. 'Her's too&mdash;not smiley enough,
+not like mamma.'</p>
+
+<p>'Eugene!' said his mother. But Eugene did not seem at all snubbed.</p>
+
+<p>'<i>&Agrave; propos</i> of Miss Alison Mildmay,' said Lady Myrtle, 'she is coming to
+see you to-day, is she not? She must be anxious to hear all about her
+brother.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' said Mrs Mildmay, 'she will be coming quite early. Jassie told us
+you are often busy in the morning, so I thought that would be the best
+time for me to be with her.'</p>
+
+<p>'Jacinth knows all my ways,' said Lady Myrtle with a smile of approval.
+'Yes, that will do nicely; Miss Mildmay must stay to luncheon, and then
+you and I, Eugenia, can drive her back. Will you drive with me this
+afternoon?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> I always enjoy a talk in a carriage along our quiet roads.'</p>
+
+<p>'Thank you; that will be very pleasant,' said Mrs Mildmay. And no one
+would have suspected the slight sinking of heart with which she said to
+herself that this would clearly be the best opportunity for what she had
+to lay before her kind hostess as to the poor Harpers.</p>
+
+<p>'We begin school again on Monday,' said Frances. 'I do hope it will be
+fine till then. Jass, won't you stay with Eugene and me this afternoon?
+We do so want to get the house we are building finished so that we can
+have tea in it on Lady Myrtle's birthday.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' Mrs Mildmay interposed quickly, 'that will do very well, and
+to-morrow perhaps Jassie may drive with you, Lady Myrtle, and then I
+will invite myself to spend the afternoon with you two, shall I?'</p>
+
+<p>Her quick tact, founded on sympathy, warned her of the possibility of
+the elder girl feeling herself thrown out of the place she had naturally
+come to feel as her own beside the old lady.</p>
+
+<p>'And Lady Myrtle is so devoted to Jacinth too. She would miss her, even
+though she would not like to seem to prefer her to me,' thought the
+mother; and the expression in the two faces rewarded her for her
+consideration.</p>
+
+<p>Frances had her own ideas as to her mother's intentions in connection
+with the proposed drive that afternoon. But she was already perfectly at
+rest in the delightful certainty that 'mamma would know what was best to
+do.' So, though deeply interested and in a sense anxious, she had no
+nervous misgiving as to the result of the effort which she felt sure was
+going to be made in behalf of her friends, and she spent the afternoon
+very happily with her sister and brother,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> working at the famous house
+they had been allowed to build in a corner of the garden. It was very
+interesting, and even Jacinth, in some ways less 'grown-up' than she
+liked to fancy herself, found it very absorbing. By half-past four
+o'clock they had all worked so hard that they really began to be very
+tired and rather hot.</p>
+
+<p>'I wish it was tea-time,' said Jacinth. 'We are all to have tea together
+while the holidays last. Lady Myrtle thought mamma would like it. And,
+of course, you and Eugene, Francie, will come in at the end of dinner as
+you did last night. I wonder why Lady Myrtle and mamma are so long. I
+suppose they've gone a long drive.'</p>
+
+<p>'They started rather late,' said Frances. 'Aunt Alison was talking to
+Lady Myrtle a good while after the carriage was at the door. But I
+wonder they're not back by now. Don't you think we'd better go in now
+and get tidy, so as to be quite ready when they come?'</p>
+
+<p>They did so. But for once Frances was the more expeditious of the two.
+When Mrs Mildmay entered her own room on returning from the drive, a
+little figure, unexceptionably neat as to hair and hands and garments,
+darted out from behind the window-curtains whence she had been watching
+the drive up to the house.</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma, dear,' she exclaimed, 'don't ring for Syme. Mayn't I help you to
+take off your things for once? I do so want to ask you&mdash;you don't mind,
+do you?&mdash;<i>have</i> you been able to say anything to Lady Myrtle? I had a
+feeling that you meant to speak about it the very first chance you
+could.'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Mildmay looked a little agitated.</p>
+
+<p>'Francie, dear,' she said, 'I haven't time to tell you about it just
+now. We must hurry down to tea. But I have done<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> <i>something</i>, and I
+almost hope I have made a beginning towards more. All I can, all it
+would be right for me to tell you, I will. But I scarcely think I can do
+so to-day. Come to my room quite early to-morrow morning, half an hour
+or so before breakfast. As soon as we have had tea just now, I have
+promised to help&mdash;at least she puts it so&mdash;Lady Myrtle to write a rather
+difficult letter.'</p>
+
+<p>'Is it to the Harpers?' half whispered Frances.</p>
+
+<p>Her mother nodded.</p>
+
+<p>Frances gave a sort of skip of joy.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, mamma, how lovely!' she exclaimed. 'How clever you are! I do
+believe everything's going to come right.'</p>
+
+<p>'Don't be too hopeful, dear. But at least their <i>present</i> terrible
+difficulties will be a little smoothed, I trust.</p>
+
+<p>And it was no use telling Frances not to be too hopeful. She seemed
+almost to dance as she followed her mother down-stairs, and the
+drawing-room at Robin Redbreast had rarely, if ever, heard brighter talk
+and merrier laughter than went on this afternoon round the tea-table,
+where Jacinth did the honours as if she were the recognised daughter of
+the house.</p>
+
+<p>It went perhaps somewhat against the grain with her to be told, though
+in the kindest manner, that Lady Myrtle and Mrs Mildmay had some
+business letters to write in the boudoir, and must not be disturbed till
+post-time. But she was a sensible girl on the whole, and really glad to
+see the cordial understanding between her mother and the friend who
+seemed to her now by adoption almost a second mother. And she was
+without the slightest suspicion that the letters in question concerned
+the Harpers, of whom indeed for some time past she had almost left off
+thinking at all.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Possibly it's already something about the London appointment for papa,'
+she thought. 'Lady Myrtle is always so energetic and business-like. I
+daresay she would have <i>liked</i> to consult me about it, but then it would
+scarcely have seemed right not to make mamma the first of course.'</p>
+
+<p>And she answered so pleasantly that she and Frances had a duet they
+wanted to practise before playing it to their mother, that Mrs Mildmay's
+slight instinctive misgiving as to her elder daughter's docility and
+reasonableness was for the time completely dispersed.</p>
+
+<p>'To-morrow, you know, dear Jacinth, you are to drive with me,' said Lady
+Myrtle, 'while your mother is going to have Francie and Eugene all to
+herself.'</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps the result of Mrs Mildmay's conversation with her hostess during
+their drive that afternoon will be best shown by one of the letters
+which the Robin Redbreast postbag carried off that very evening. It was
+addressed to Mrs Harper at a certain number in a quiet bye-street in the
+north-west of London, and ran thus:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i30"><span class="smcap">Robin Redbreast, Thetford,</span><br /></span>
+<span class="i30"><i>May 4, 187-.</i><br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">My dear Mrs Harper</span>&mdash;I write to you instead of to your
+husband, Captain Harper, who is by birth my nephew, as I
+understand that he might be upset by an unexpected letter,
+being at present in a critical state of health. I regret
+that it should be so, and that your anxieties should be
+increased by other difficulties, and I enclose a draft on my
+London bankers for &pound;500, which will, I trust, relieve you
+from your most pressing cares. I ask you to accept this in a
+kindly spirit, though from a complete stranger. It is the
+gift of an aged woman who is always glad to have the
+privilege of helping those whose difficulties may become
+privately known to her, as well as of responding to the many
+public appeals for assistance. But it is not the gift of a
+relative.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> From a certain date, now many years ago, my
+brother Bernard Harper and all connected with him died to me
+as completely as though he had never existed, and I feel it
+only honest to put the matter in its true light at the risk
+of wounding not unnatural susceptibilities. I ask you also
+to accept my sincere good wishes for Captain Harper's
+restoration to health, and I remain, yours faithfully,</p></div>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i30"><span class="smcap">Myrtle Camilla Goodacre.</span><br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>It was a strange letter. And strange as it was, it had been more
+eccentric still, but for Mrs Mildmay's strenuous efforts to soften its
+expressions and accentuate the real sympathy which had dictated the
+gift. It was a strange position altogether. The tears had risen into the
+old lady's bright eyes when her old friend Jacinth Moreland's daughter
+laid before her the sad facts of the case, and the life or death that
+not improbably hung upon her response. Never had good cause a better
+advocate. She read aloud the letter written by Camilla Harper to her
+aunt in India, and confided by Mrs Lyle to Mrs Mildmay; she told of
+Captain Harper's honourable career, and of the brave struggle made by
+him and his wife against the overwhelming difficulties which had come
+upon them through no fault&mdash;no imprudence even&mdash;of their own; she
+described the good promise of their children, how the sons were all
+already more or less 'distinguished, the daughters models of girlish
+excellence.'</p>
+
+<p>'I quite believe it all,' the old lady calmly replied. 'It is very
+wonderful; there must be a good strain somewhere in the blood, and
+struggle and adversity are grand teachers, we are told. It is very
+interesting, and I am most ready to help them in any way you advise, my
+dear Eugenia, or that you think would be accepted. But understand me, I
+would do the same if I had never heard their name till<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> to-day. It is
+<i>not</i> as relations; Bernard Harper's descendants are neither kith nor
+kin of mine, and this must be understood.'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Mildmay seemed about to speak, but hesitated.</p>
+
+<p>'What is it, my dear? Do not be afraid of vexing me: do say what is in
+your mind,' said the old lady.</p>
+
+<p>'You are so good, dear Lady Myrtle, so good and kind, that it seems
+impertinence for me to differ from you,' the younger woman replied. 'It
+was only that your words struck me curiously. <i>Can</i> we decide and alter
+things in that way? Our relations <i>are</i> our relations; can we, when it
+suits us, say they are not? Can we throw off the duties and
+responsibilities of relationship? Of course they vary enormously;
+sometimes they scarcely exist, and one can lay down no rule. But still,
+in the present case, it <i>is</i> because the Harpers are your relations, and
+yet by no fault of their own entirely alienated from you, that I have
+told you about them. These are solid substantial facts; we cannot undo
+<i>facts</i>.'</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle was silent. Mrs Mildmay glanced at her anxiously, very
+anxiously. But there was no sign of irritation in the quiet old
+face&mdash;only of thought, deep thought. And there was a grave softness in
+the usually keen eyes, as if they were reviewing far distant or far past
+scenes.</p>
+
+<p>At last, 'Thank you, my dear, for your candour,' she said. 'Well, leave
+that question alone. I will help this family and at once, because it
+seems to me a clear duty to do so. Can you not be satisfied with this
+practical response to your appeal, my dear?'</p>
+
+<p>'I thank you with all my heart,' said Mrs Mildmay earnestly, 'both for
+your generosity and for your patience with my presumption.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But she evaded a direct reply to Lady Myrtle's question, and her friend
+did not press her farther.</p>
+
+<p>The result of this conversation we have seen in the letter with its
+enclosure which was posted that very evening. The former was not a
+source of unmitigated satisfaction to Mrs Mildmay. For Lady Myrtle
+insisted on the insertion of the last few lines.</p>
+
+<p>It would not be honest, she maintained, to withhold the expression of
+her true sentiments.</p>
+
+<p>So with what she <i>had</i> achieved, Mrs Mildmay was forced to be content,
+though there were times during the next day or two in which she asked
+herself if perhaps she had not done more harm than good? And times
+again, when with the rebound of her naturally buoyant nature, she
+allowed herself to hope that she had succeeded in inserting the thin
+edge of the wedge; in 'making,' as she had expressed it to Francie, 'a
+beginning towards more.'</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;">
+<img src="images/i225.jpg" width="250" height="198" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;">
+<img src="images/i226.jpg" width="550" height="135" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+
+<h3>LADY MYRTLE'S INTENTIONS.</h3>
+
+
+<p>And Francie, during those few days, was her mother's only confidante.
+Various reasons made Mrs Mildmay decide not as yet to come upon the
+subject with Jacinth. While still to all intents and purposes so much of
+a stranger to her daughter, she felt anxious to avoid all sore or
+fretted ground; all discussion which might lead her prematurely to judge
+or misjudge Jacinth. To Lady Myrtle, of course, she said nothing of
+this; but she suspected, as was indeed the case, that the old lady would
+feel no inclination to talk about the Harpers to her young companion.
+There were plenty of pleasanter things to talk about during the long
+drives on which, on most alternate afternoons, Jacinth accompanied their
+hostess; there were reminiscences of the past, always interesting to the
+girl, awakened to fresh vividness by Mrs Mildmay's own recollections of
+her mother and her own childhood; there were, more engrossing still,
+plans for the future, when 'papa' should return and be skilfully
+persuaded into renouncing India. And Lady Myrtle was nearly as great at
+castle-in-the-air building as Jacinth herself, and though too wise to
+discuss as yet with any one, especially with a girl who was really,
+notwithstanding her precocity, little more than a child, her still
+immatured intentions, Jacinth was far too acute, and Lady Myrtle too
+open and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> affectionate, for her young favourite not to be well aware how
+much her own future occupied and interested the old lady. Yet Jacinth
+was scarcely selfish in the common sense. She was capable, on the
+contrary, of great self-sacrifice for those she loved; her happy visions
+for days to come were by no means confined to, even though they might to
+a great extent revolve around, Jacinth Mildmay.</p>
+
+<p>As seems often to happen when a looked-for letter, or reply to a letter,
+is of any peculiar importance, there was some delay in the
+acknowledgment of Lady Myrtle's communication by Mrs Harper. The old
+lady herself took it calmly enough. 'It should, as a business letter,
+have been replied to at once, but perhaps they are not business-like
+people, and are thinking it over,' was all she said.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Mildmay, on the contrary, and, so far as she understood it all,
+Frances, felt uneasy and perplexed. Mrs Mildmay was sorry for the
+Harpers to lay themselves open to the slightest appearance of disrespect
+or unpunctuality, and at the same time she had attacks of fear that Lady
+Myrtle's letter had hurt and wounded her relatives so deeply that they
+had decided to ignore it. Only, in that case, they would have returned
+the cheque.</p>
+
+<p>'It is very absurd,' she said one evening to Frances. 'I don't generally
+"worry" about things at all, and I am quite sure I have never worried
+about any matter of our own as much. Except, perhaps, that time you all
+had scarlet fever at Stannesley, and somehow Marmy's letter missed the
+mail, and we were out of reach of telegraphing. Oh dear, I shall never
+forget that week!'</p>
+
+<p>'Dear mamma,' said Francie, 'I quite know how you feel. I was so fidgety
+that time I sent on Camilla Harper's letter to you, though it wasn't
+anything like as important.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But the very next morning the mystery was explained, and quite simply.</p>
+
+<p>After breakfast Lady Myrtle sent for Mrs Mildmay to her boudoir, where
+she always interviewed her steward and transacted her business for the
+day.</p>
+
+<p>'I have just got this, my dear,' she said, handing a letter to her
+guest, 'and I knew you would be anxious to see it. The delay, you see,
+was accidental.'</p>
+
+<p>Her tone of voice somewhat reassured Mrs Mildmay; it was calm and
+unruffled. Nevertheless it was not without considerable anxiety that she
+took the sheet of paper from the old lady's hands and began to read it.
+It was from Mrs Harper&mdash;a touching yet dignified letter, and the cheque
+was not returned. Mrs Harper began by thanking Lady Myrtle warmly for
+her kindness; the money she had sent seemed indeed a 'godsend' in the
+real sense of the word, and no secondary considerations could make her
+think it would be right to refuse what might&mdash;what, she trusted and
+almost believed, <i>would</i> save her husband's life and restore him to
+health&mdash;'even,' she went on to say, 'if it were <i>possible</i> after this,
+for us to think of you as an utter stranger, even then I would not dare
+to refuse this wonderful help. But at the same time you will allow us, I
+feel sure, to accept it as a loan, even though several years may pass
+before it is possible for us to repay it. Your agreeing to this will
+only immeasurably deepen, instead of lessening our inexpressible
+obligation.' The letter then went on to give a few details of her
+husband's condition, and the hopes and fears attendant on it. 'I am
+writing in my lodgings,' Mrs Harper went on, 'before going to him as
+usual at the hospital. So he does not yet know of this wonderful gift.
+And I think, as in your kind thoughtfulness you wrote to <i>me</i>, not to
+him, I am justified<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> in accepting your aid without consulting him, so
+that I may tell him it is <i>done</i>. Not that in my heart I have any
+misgiving as to the view he will take of my action.' And lastly came a
+simple explanation of the delay. Mrs Harper had been for a day or two at
+Southcliff, as little Margaret was not well, and the rather stupid
+landlady of her London lodgings had never thought of forwarding the
+letter, knowing she was so soon to return. This with a few earnest words
+of repeated thanks made the whole.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Mildmay looked up eagerly after she had finished it.</p>
+
+<p>'You are pleased, dear Lady Myrtle?' she said. 'At least I mean,' and
+she grew a little confused, for the old lady remained rather ominously
+silent, 'you think it is a nice letter, don't you? It seems to me to
+show peculiarly good feeling and good taste, for it cannot have been an
+easy letter to write.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh yes, my dear, I quite agree with you,' said Lady Myrtle with just a
+faint touch of impatience. 'I don't see how any one could think
+otherwise of the letter. I am perfectly satisfied that&mdash;she,' as if she
+shrank from naming the old name, 'is an excellent woman; refined and
+cultivated, and everything she should be. And I have no doubt they are
+all thoroughly deserving of the high character they bear. I thank you&mdash;I
+really do&mdash;for having given me the opportunity of serving people who so
+clearly deserve help. And these cases of bravely endured, almost
+unsuspected poverty among the gently born appeal to one almost more than
+the sufferings of the recognised "poor," though, of course, it is right
+to help both.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' said Mrs Mildmay, 'I often feel it so. And it is very good of you
+to put things in this way, Lady Myrtle.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> It takes away my qualms about
+having interfered,' and she smiled a little.</p>
+
+<p>'But, my dear, I have not done,' Lady Myrtle went on, a trifle testily,
+'you must quite understand me. It is not <i>the very least</i>&mdash;no, no; quite
+the other way&mdash;not the very least because they are Harpers that I am
+glad to be of use to them. Neither this letter, nor your own
+arguments&mdash;nothing, my dear, will alter the facts I stated to you the
+other day.'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' agreed Mrs Mildmay, and she could scarcely repress a little smile;
+'that was what I said myself, dear Lady Myrtle; nothing <i>can</i> alter
+facts.'</p>
+
+<p>'Your facts and mine are scarcely synonymous,' said Lady Myrtle, drily,
+a little annoyed with herself perhaps, for having unconsciously made use
+of Mrs Mildmay's own expression. But the annoyance was not deep, for in
+another moment she added cheerfully, 'We are quite together on one
+point, however, and that is in rejoicing that this help has come in
+time, as we may hope, to save a valuable life and much sorrow to those
+who cherish it. If <i>this</i> prove a fact, I think, my dear Eugenia, we may
+rest content.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, indeed,' replied Mrs Mildmay, touched by her old friend's
+gentleness, though to herself she added, 'for the present, that is to
+say.'</p>
+
+<p>And when to eager little Frances she related the upshot of her
+intervention, she did not retract her former words about having made a
+beginning.</p>
+
+<p>'I <i>think</i>,' she said, 'I have got in the thin end of the wedge. When
+honest-minded people are a little shaken in anything, they try hard to
+persuade themselves by extra vehemence that they are not so.'</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma, dear,' said Frances, 'I am beginning to believe<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> not only that
+you are the best but the very cleverest woman in the world.'</p>
+
+<p>And Mrs Mildmay laughed the joyous laugh which was one of her charms.
+The success which had attended this attempt of hers so far, did seem a
+happy omen with which to begin again her home life.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>It would be interesting here to shift the scene and follow the reception
+of the good news by the three anxious girls at Southcliff. It would&mdash;to
+me at least it would&mdash;be so pleasant to tell of the happy faces that
+looked at each other with questioning eyes, as if the tidings in their
+mother's letter were almost too good to be true. It would be gratifying
+to watch the progress made by Captain Harper towards the recovery of
+greater health and strength than had been his for so many years, but
+even in telling a story&mdash;and the simplest of stories&mdash;one cannot always
+do as one is inclined. The time has not yet come for visiting the
+Harpers again. I must hurry on with some necessary explanations before
+leaving Thetford and dear old Robin Redbreast for very different
+surroundings.</p>
+
+<p>That spring and early summer passed on the whole very happily for Mrs
+Mildmay and her three children. As far as Frances and her little brother
+were concerned, there were, I think, no drawbacks, except the fear&mdash;not,
+however, a very great one&mdash;that this delightful state of things might
+not last if papa should be obliged to return to India. But to a great
+extent their mother was able to reassure them, for in every letter
+Colonel Mildmay wrote more and more strongly of his earnest desire to
+settle at home, even though his doing so should lead to some privations
+falling on his family.</p>
+
+<p>'<i>Everything</i> would be made up for by being together,' said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> Frances
+over and over again. 'I wouldn't care if we all had to live in quite a
+tiny cottage; would you, Jass?'</p>
+
+<p>But Jacinth replied rather coldly that Frances was a silly child who
+didn't know what she was talking about. And Mrs Mildmay smiled, and
+endeavoured to prevent any approach to quarrelling, as she assured
+Frances that at all events they would be able to afford a comfortable
+house.</p>
+
+<p>'I should rather think so,' said Jacinth in an authoritative and yet
+mysterious tone. 'I do wish, mamma, you would make Frances leave off
+speaking as if we were paupers.'</p>
+
+<p>It is scarcely necessary to say that this conversation and others of a
+similar kind did not take place in Lady Myrtle's presence.</p>
+
+<p>And towards the end of July, sooner than he had hoped for, Colonel
+Mildmay arrived. They were all still at Robin Redbreast to receive him,
+for on hearing how much earlier his leave was to begin than had been
+anticipated, Mrs Mildmay gave in to their kind hostess's earnest wish
+that they should remain there at least till her husband's coming.</p>
+
+<p>'And as much longer as we can persuade him to stay,' Lady Myrtle added.
+'He can so easily run up to town from this, as he is sure to have to be
+there often, about these appointments. And then it will be such a
+pleasure to his sister to have him near.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh yes, Thetford is as good a headquarters as we could have at
+present,' agreed Mrs Mildmay. 'But Thetford, dear Lady Myrtle, need not
+necessarily mean Robin Redbreast, you know! And it would not be
+difficult for us to find a nice little house there that would suit us
+for the time.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well, well, it will be time enough to see to that when your husband is
+here,' replied the old lady.</p>
+
+<p>And Mrs Mildmay, whose nature was not one to anticipate<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> or dwell upon
+difficulties or uncertainties in the future which she could not in the
+present take action about, gratefully accepted her kind friend's
+hospitality, happy in the knowledge that her doing so really gave
+happiness to Lady Myrtle in return.</p>
+
+<p>It was very strange to have papa in person, 'as large as life or a
+little larger,' said Frances. For they had not pictured to themselves
+quite such a tall, grave, rather awe-inspiring personage as he seemed at
+first. And they could scarcely understand how their mother could be so
+entirely at ease with him; how she could even laugh at him, and tease
+him now and then as if she was not 'the least atom' afraid of him.</p>
+
+<p>But there was plenty of fun and humour hidden in the depths of Colonel
+Mildmay's dark eyes; it was not altogether wanting even in his sister
+Alison, though the circumstances of her life had not brought out several
+of the qualities developed by his wider and larger experiences. And
+before long his children, the two younger ones especially, got to know
+this, and to count upon their father's ever-ready sympathy in even the
+more childish of their interests and amusements. And Jacinth for her
+part was intensely proud of her father. He suited her in every way;
+except that now and then a slight suspicion insinuated itself that this
+very grand and dignified papa of hers, affectionate and even caressing
+as he could be when he laid his hand on her head and smoothed her soft
+hair, was laughing at her a little, which did not at all suit Jacinth's
+princess-like ideas of herself.</p>
+
+<p>Still all was very happy, very happy indeed, the sweet summer days
+passing only too quickly; and for some two or three weeks nothing was
+said about 'plans,' though Colonel Mildmay went up to town more than
+once to visit his doctor and the War Office.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Then came an evening on which he returned from a hot day in London,
+fagged and rather knocked up, though with a certain expression on his
+face which told his watchful and observant wife that he had come to a
+decision, which she quietly waited to hear till he sought a good
+opportunity for telling it. The opportunity came later, when Lady
+Myrtle, a little tired by the unusual heat, had gone to her own room
+earlier than her wont, and the girls and Eugene had also said
+good-night.</p>
+
+<p>'Come out into the garden, Eugenia. We can talk better there; it seems,
+even compared with India, such an airless night.'</p>
+
+<p>'But the stars are beautiful, aren't they, Frank? I do love this place
+so,' said Mrs Mildmay as she seated herself on a rustic chair on the
+edge of the smooth bowling-green-like old lawn.</p>
+
+<p>'You always find the stars&mdash;the bright spots in every sky, I think,
+dear,' said her husband. 'I confess I am feeling a little gloomy
+to-night, and yet I am glad it is decided.'</p>
+
+<p>'It <i>is</i> decided, then? I thought so,' said Mrs Mildmay gently.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes. It is quite certain that it would be madness for me ever to think
+of India again, now or years hence. So I have accepted Barmettle. I send
+in the formal papers to-morrow,' and he sighed a little.</p>
+
+<p>'I expected it,' she said. 'I am very thankful, Frank, though you know
+how I sympathise with you about your having to&mdash;to&mdash;come <i>down</i> at all
+in position as it were.'</p>
+
+<p>'Doing right can never be really coming down,' he replied. 'And it is
+right. The other thing in London would have been impossible, on our
+means, and not work enough either. And there is nothing against
+Barmettle; the place is healthy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> and cheap, and good education for
+Eugene, and no doubt&mdash;the two generally go together&mdash;good masters and
+governesses for the girls. Socially speaking, of course, there is not
+much to recommend the place, though there may be a few nice people
+there. But the girls are still very young; we must just do our best, and
+make as happy a home for them as we can.'</p>
+
+<p>'Lady Myrtle is sure often to invite them here,' said Mrs Mildmay,
+'Jacinth especially. When shall we have to go there, Frank? Will it be
+worth while to look out for a temporary house at Thetford, as we had
+thought of?'</p>
+
+<p>'Scarcely,' said Colonel Mildmay. This was the question&mdash;'When shall we
+have to go there?'&mdash;which he had been the most dreading. He was glad to
+have it over. 'I fear,' he went on, 'you will be rather upset at finding
+how soon we have to go. I, at least. You and the children can stay on
+here awhile if you like, as dear old Lady Myrtle is sure to want you.
+But I myself must be at Barmettle the end of next month.'</p>
+
+<p>'And you certainly shall not go alone,' said Mrs Mildmay, brightly. 'Do
+you think I would trust you to choose a house and all the rest of it? If
+Lady Myrtle will keep Eugene and one of the girls for a week or two, I
+and the other child will go north with you of course, and get settled
+before the others join us. There is only one thing I want to ask you,
+Frank; don't think it is that I have the faintest idea of making you
+change your intention; I do not even <i>wish</i> it. But you have not
+actually&mdash;officially&mdash;accepted the appointment yet?'</p>
+
+<p>'No, not till to-morrow,' he replied.</p>
+
+<p>'Then let me ask you this: Lady Myrtle has been so very, so more than
+good to us, that I should like to gratify her in every way we can. So
+before <i>actually</i> accepting this, I think<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> we owe it to her to tell her
+about it. I know she is dying for you to take the London thing, and I
+would like her thoroughly to understand the reasons why you don't.'</p>
+
+<p>'They are very simple and unanswerable,' said Colonel Mildmay, curtly.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, but Frank, though she has never said it actually, I have
+suspicions that she wants to help us practically&mdash;to increase our
+income,' said Mrs Mildmay with some hesitation.</p>
+
+<p>'My dear child, I could never consent to anything of the kind,'
+exclaimed Colonel Mildmay, starting up. 'Her hospitality I am most
+grateful for; she may even do things for the children in the future, for
+Jacinth, I suppose, especially, as a godmother or a very old friend
+might. I am not foolishly proud. If she likes to leave you or Jacinth a
+little remembrance in her will, it would not be unnatural. But beyond
+that'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'I know, I know,' interposed his wife, hurriedly. 'Of course I feel the
+same. But you see, if we talk this over with her, it will both gratify
+her and put things for always in their proper light.'</p>
+
+<p>'Very well; I will do so, then,' said Colonel Mildmay. And then he
+turned and looked at his wife, for there was moonlight by this time,
+very earnestly. 'I don't doubt you, Eugenia,' he said; 'you <i>know</i> I
+never could. But you agree with me entirely, my dearest, do you not? I
+could never accept a position of the kind. And above all, when we know
+that there are others&mdash;the Harpers, I mean&mdash;who <i>have</i> claims upon her.
+For, but for the grandfather's misconduct, he would have had a good
+proportion of what is now Lady Myrtle's.'</p>
+
+<p>'I absolutely agree with you, Frank,' Mrs Mildmay<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> replied. 'And my most
+earnest hope is that our good old friend may come to see things in the
+right light with regard to her own family. This very conversation which
+I am urging may be a means of leading her to do so.'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Mildmay's courage would perhaps have failed her had she known what
+the 'conversation' she alluded to so lightly was really to consist of.
+It began by the most strenuous opposition on the old lady's side to the
+Barmettle plan. She had set her heart on Colonel Mildmay's accepting the
+post in London which was, according to her, 'the very thing to be
+desired for him.'</p>
+
+<p>'You would be so near me,' she said. 'Any or all of you could come down
+at any time. Robin Redbreast would be your country home.'</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Mildmay smiled gently while he thanked her, and then he reminded
+her of the overwhelming difference of the two appointments as regarded
+the 'pay.'</p>
+
+<p>'But that needn't&mdash;that <i>would</i> not signify,' Lady Myrtle began, though
+with evident difficulty in expressing herself, while Mrs Mildmay's heart
+beat faster as she realised that they were approaching 'the tug of war.'
+'I&mdash;you must know&mdash;it is only natural;' and with other confused
+expressions about Jacinth being to her 'as her own child,' 'no one of
+her own kith or kin except the Elvedons,' whose affairs were long ago
+definitely arranged, and references to her unforgotten devotion to the
+Jacinth of her youth, the old lady plunged into the thick of things. She
+had not meant to speak so soon, she said; she had wished her intentions
+to be <i>faits accomplis</i> before she disclosed them, but all this had
+upset her and she must explain.</p>
+
+<p>And then she told the whole, and Colonel and Mrs Mildmay, though a
+little prepared for some announcement of proposed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> benefit to Jacinth in
+the future, listened in appalled and almost stunned silence to Lady
+Myrtle Goodacre's eccentric and, in their eyes, extravagant
+determination.</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth was to be her heir&mdash;all that she had to dispose of, and it was
+still a great deal, even without that portion of her wealth which, with
+the knowledge that the old lord would have approved of her doing so, she
+meant to restore to the title; even shorn of that and of some other
+property on the Goodacre side which she only liferented, Lady Myrtle was
+a rich old woman. And all she had to leave, short of legacies to certain
+hospitals and other benevolent institutions which she had interested
+herself in, all was to be Jacinth's. The only landed property was Robin
+Redbreast and the small farm belonging to it, but in money there would
+be more than enough to keep up three or four places of its size.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Mildmay's heart sank, as she listened, but so far neither she nor
+her husband had interrupted the speaker by word or movement. And she,
+gaining confidence by their silence, at last came to the final
+announcement.</p>
+
+<p>'So you see, my dear friends, that looking upon Jacinth as I do, it is
+only consistent&mdash;consistent, and I may say <i>necessary</i>&mdash;that you consent
+to my at once arranging for a proper allowance, whatever you like to
+call it, being arranged for her. And this&mdash;of course you will agree with
+me, that this must be an amount sufficient not only for a thoroughly
+good education, but for her to be surrounded by everything right and
+fitting for the position she will be called upon to occupy, perhaps not
+so very long hence, for I am an old woman. And I do not want to teach or
+induce any selfishness or self-assertion; I have the very greatest
+respect for parental authority; I will tell her nothing, or only what
+you approve of her knowing. But you see how it affects the present<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span>
+position of things, and your present decision, my dear Colonel Mildmay.'</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Mildmay moved uneasily in his chair, but still he did not speak.</p>
+
+<p>'You must see,' Lady Myrtle proceeded, 'that it would be entirely
+inconsistent in these circumstances for you to bury yourself and Eugenia
+and the children in a dreadful place like Barmettle. You will, I feel
+satisfied, agree that in anticipating the future a little, as it were,
+and allowing me at once to&mdash;to place a certain income at your
+disposal&mdash;an income which I am sure Jacinth will continue when things
+are in her own hands&mdash;you are only acting reasonably and&mdash;justly, I may
+say, as well as in a manner really to earn my gratitude.'</p>
+
+<p>The old lady's voice trembled ominously: this strange continued silence
+was beginning to rouse some apprehension. As she uttered the last
+word&mdash;'gratitude'&mdash;Mrs Mildmay, hitherto entirely quiescent till her
+husband thought well to speak, could no longer restrain herself. She
+leant forward and caught Lady Myrtle's hand in hers.</p>
+
+<p>'My dear, most kind friend,' she said, and her own voice was tremulous,
+'how can you use such an expression? <i>You</i> grateful to us! Ah, no
+indeed; as long as we live we shall be at a loss how to show our
+gratitude to you.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes indeed,' said Colonel Mildmay. 'I do not know how to express my
+appreciation of all your goodness. I'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Then you consent,' exclaimed Lady Myrtle, her bright eyes sparkling.
+'You will be my children; you will let me feel that my lonely life is to
+have some joy before its close.'</p>
+
+<p>'Indeed, indeed, all we <i>can</i> do, we shall,' said Colonel Mildmay very
+gently. 'You cannot ask more affection than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> we are most ready to give.
+But'&mdash;&mdash;He hesitated, and the look of eager satisfaction faded out of
+the old lady's face.</p>
+
+<p>'But!' she repeated sharply. 'What "buts" can there be in so simple a
+matter?'</p>
+
+<p>It was a distressing position. Colonel Mildmay, essentially a
+kind-hearted man and most averse to giving pain, felt it acutely. But he
+was not one to temporise. It was a case demanding the plainest speaking.</p>
+
+<p>'My dear Lady Myrtle,' he said, 'if I am blunt or rough, forgive me. It
+is just this. I cannot agree to what I think wrong, and I could never
+feel it right to agree to what you propose. I am still young enough and
+strong enough to work for my family in my profession, and the day I
+began to lead an idle, or even a comparatively idle life, would see me a
+miserable man. If you are so good as to continue your interest in my
+children&mdash;Jacinth especially&mdash;by asking them to visit you sometimes, we
+shall be <i>most</i> grateful. If&mdash;if you like to leave Jacinth some little
+sum of money in your will which would help or increase any provision I
+can make for her, I would be foolish and ungracious in the extreme to
+object. But more than this&mdash;no, my dear friend, no. For&mdash;and here I must
+crave your pardon beforehand for what must seem impertinence and
+intrusion&mdash;not only have we, we Mildmays, <i>no</i> claim upon you,
+but&mdash;there are those who have.'</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;">
+<img src="images/i241.jpg" width="550" height="135" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2>
+
+<h3>A BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT.</h3>
+
+
+<p>There was an awful pause. Such at least it seemed to poor Mrs Mildmay,
+who, now that she was not called upon to act for herself, and felt under
+the protection of her husband, dared to tremble! Then came Lady Myrtle's
+reply, short, cold, and decisive.</p>
+
+<p>'I deny it,' she said.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Mildmay did not speak.</p>
+
+<p>The old lady glanced at him. His eyes were fixed on the table beside
+which he was seated; he tapped it lightly with a paper-cutter which he
+held in his hand. And after a moment's waiting she spoke again.</p>
+
+<p>'I know what you refer to,' she said. 'It would be nonsense to pretend I
+do not. And I can&mdash;even&mdash;understand how to you it may seem that the
+claim you allude to exists. But, if you have talked together about
+these&mdash;these people, as no doubt you have done, has not Eugenia told you
+what I have told her, that on a certain day my father and I shook
+ourselves free from the bonds which had become shackles of shame; that
+from that time Bernard Harper and all belonging to him ceased to be more
+to us than any stranger we might brush against in the street?'</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Mildmay raised his head and looked at her quietly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'It could not be done; the bonds do exist and must exist,' he said. 'The
+great thing is that, however cruelly they may have torn and wounded you
+in the past, they may now be to you a cause of happiness and
+satisfaction.'</p>
+
+<p>But Lady Myrtle shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>'I will never acknowledge even the possibility of my recognising these
+descendants of my former brother as anything to me,' she said. And the
+quietness with which she spoke was very impressive. 'I have given them
+assistance because I believe them to be worthy people in sore need. I
+may even do so again if you tell me their need continues. But that is
+all. I should be false to my dead father if I did otherwise.</p>
+
+<p>'Still, the late Lord Elvedon&mdash;your father, I mean&mdash;looked forward to
+his <i>elder</i> son's children being reinstated,' Colonel Mildmay ventured
+to say. 'Why then, in the actual circumstances of his <i>younger</i>
+grandchildren being to the full as worthy and in far greater need, why
+treat them so differently?'</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle hesitated, for half a second only, but even that was
+something.</p>
+
+<p>'My father could not have contemplated the <i>possibility</i> of Bernard's
+descendants being&mdash;of their wiping out his disgrace,' she said at last
+confusedly.</p>
+
+<p>'Exactly,' Colonel Mildmay replied quickly. 'And it was only natural.
+But as he did <i>not</i> contemplate a state of things which has actually
+come to pass, how can his directions affect you with regard to these
+facts?'</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle again shook her head. She had grown very pale, but otherwise
+she was completely self-controlled.</p>
+
+<p>'I cannot argue in that way. I do not even pretend to be logical,' she
+said. 'I can only repeat&mdash;so it is. So<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> now you understand. If I did not
+leave that part of my property which I conscientiously believe to be at
+my own disposal to the one I have chosen&mdash;the child who it seemed to me
+had been sent to brighten in some measure the loneliness of my old age;'
+and here her firm clear voice trembled, 'then&mdash;my will must stand as it
+is, and all destined for Jacinth, and in a sense for you yourselves,
+shall go to the two hospitals I have selected as the most worthy of
+help. I will have no compromises, no half measures.'</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Mildmay bowed.</p>
+
+<p>'Then let it be so,' he said. 'It is certainly not for me to dictate to
+you, dear Lady Myrtle.'</p>
+
+<p>She seemed a little perplexed by his manner.</p>
+
+<p>'Why should I give in to you?' she said inconsequently. 'Why should I
+not leave my fortune to Jacinth all the same? Why do you take for
+granted that I shall not do so? should she be punished for your&mdash;your
+obstinacy and quixotry?' and in spite of herself a smile crept over the
+old lady's face.</p>
+
+<p>'I do not take it for granted,' said Colonel Mildmay. 'I know that you
+would not act towards Jacinth in such a way as to place her in
+opposition to her parents. I know that you respect our way of viewing
+the matter, however you may disagree with it.'</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle seemed mollified.</p>
+
+<p>'You judge me rightly,' she said. 'If one feeling is stronger than
+another in me, it is respect for parental authority and influence. You
+are right. I would not so act to your child as to sow discord and
+disunion between her and those nearest and dearest to her after I am
+gone. But, let me ask you one thing&mdash;is your present decision quite
+irreversible?'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Colonel Mildmay sat silent for a minute considering deeply.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' he said; 'I do not see any choice. I cannot take the London
+appointment&mdash;to live in reality, my dear lady, on your bounty. For that
+is what it would be. And even if such a position had been possible for
+me&mdash;and I confess I cannot conceive its being so&mdash;still less possible
+would it be now that you know our mind as to the ultimate disposal of
+things, and that we have been forced to thwart your more than generous,
+your unprecedented goodness to us.'</p>
+
+<p>'Then you will go to Barmettle?'</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Mildmay bent his head.</p>
+
+<p>'Ah well,' said Lady Myrtle, 'another dream vanished!'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Mildmay started up at this.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, dear Lady Myrtle, dear, dear friend,' she said, and the tears were
+in her eyes, 'don't speak like that. I cannot bear it. You say there can
+be no sort of compromise, but surely there can be of one kind; you will
+not, you cannot expect us to leave off looking to you and feeling to you
+as our best and dearest friend?'</p>
+
+<p>And she threw her arms round the old lady as Francie might have done,
+and was not repulsed.</p>
+
+<p>'You will let me have Jacinth sometimes?' whispered Lady Myrtle.</p>
+
+<p>'Of course, of course; whenever you like and as much as you like,' said
+Mrs Mildmay eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>'I will not be unreasonable,' the old lady said with one of the
+half-wistful smiles that were so touching. 'Even if&mdash;if everything had
+been going to be as I hoped, I would never have wished or expected
+anything which could have interfered with her home ties and duties. And
+I need scarcely say I will never come upon this subject that we have
+been discussing, with her. I will leave it entirely to you, her parents,
+to tell her what you think right, though I own I should like her to
+realise how I have been thinking of her.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 452px;">
+<img src="images/i245.jpg" width="452" height="600" alt="&#39;Ah well!&#39; said Lady Myrtle, &#39;another dream vanished!&#39;" title="" />
+<span class="caption">&#39;Ah well!&#39; said Lady Myrtle, &#39;another dream vanished!&#39;</span>
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'That she certainly shall,' exclaimed Mrs Mildmay impulsively. And
+though a moment afterwards she was tempted to murmur to herself 'at all
+costs,' she did not repent of her promise. 'It would not be fair to Lady
+Myrtle for Jacinth to be told nothing,' she reflected. 'And scarcely
+indeed fair to the child herself. For I cannot but believe she will see
+it all as we do.'</p>
+
+<p>So that afternoon Colonel Mildmay wrote to accept the appointment
+offered him up at gloomy, smoky Barmettle in the dreary north country.</p>
+
+<p>'I doubt if we have done much to forward the poor Harpers' cause,' said
+his wife as she watched him closing and sealing the big blue official
+envelope.</p>
+
+<p>'Very possibly not,' he replied calmly. 'But we have, I hope and
+believe, done <i>right</i>. And so we must not feel over much concern for the
+poor Harpers' future any more than for that of our own children, my dear
+Eugenia.'</p>
+
+<p>And though Mrs Mildmay agreed with him, she was human enough, and woman
+enough, to sigh a little at certain visions of what might have been,
+which <i>would</i> intrude themselves!</p>
+
+<p>'But what,' she began again after a little pause, 'what are we to say to
+Jacinth?'</p>
+
+<p>It is to be confessed that Colonel Mildmay's reply was not quite so
+ready this time.</p>
+
+<p>'We must consider well about that,' he said. 'Of course we must tell her
+soon about Barmettle. It would not be treating her fairly, for she is a
+remarkably sensible girl,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> and has behaved excellently in rather
+difficult circumstances. Alison's little house and odd ways must have
+been somewhat trying after the liberal easy-going life at Stannesley. It
+would not be treating Jacinth as she deserves, not to take her into our
+confidence as to our plans.'</p>
+
+<p>'And the mere mention of Barmettle will lead on to the whole,' said Mrs
+Mildmay. 'Frank, you must help me to put it to her wisely. I fear,
+though very little has been said about it, that Jassie has an intense
+dislike to the idea of Barmettle; and I fear still more, that in spite
+of Lady Myrtle's good sense and extreme wish to cause no trouble, she
+has somehow or other allowed some hint of her intentions to escape her.'</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Mildmay looked very grave at this; graver than he had yet done.</p>
+
+<p>'Jacinth is extremely quick,' he said, 'and notwithstanding her quiet
+undemonstrative manner I suspect that she has a very lively imagination.
+But surely all she has got in her head is only childish; looking forward
+to long visits here and a continuance of Lady Myrtle's kindness? As
+regards Barmettle, I have no doubt she would prefer my taking the London
+appointment, but she is sensible; we only need to put it to her.'</p>
+
+<p>'I hope so,' said Mrs Mildmay with a sigh. 'But the whole is so
+complicated: she is prejudiced against the Harpers; just the opposite of
+Frances.'</p>
+
+<p>'That <i>is</i> unfortunate,' said Colonel Mildmay. But after a moment's
+silence he spoke again more cheerfully. 'We must not spoil Jacinth,' he
+said. 'If she has been led to cherish any brilliant hopes, the sooner
+she gives them up the better. I shall be sorry for her disappointment,
+but I am sure she is not really selfish. If she sees that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> you and I are
+happier&mdash;infinitely happier&mdash;as things are, she will not take it to
+heart. And it may not be necessary to say much; not to enter into
+mercenary details, to a child like her.'</p>
+
+<p>'I hope so,' said Mrs Mildmay again. But again her sigh somewhat belied
+her words.</p>
+
+<p>The very next day brought the dreaded opportunity. Some little allusion
+was made to Colonel Mildmay's intention of running up to London again
+the following week.</p>
+
+<p>'Shall you have any commissions for me, Lady Myrtle?' he said lightly.</p>
+
+<p>The old lady shook her head, but without her usual smile.</p>
+
+<p>'I think not, Colonel Mildmay, thank you,' she said. 'I <i>had</i> thought of
+asking you to see my agent about my house in Brook Street. The present
+tenant's lease expires nine months hence, and I must make up my mind
+what I am going to do.'</p>
+
+<p>'I fear I am not very <i>au fait</i> of such matters,' he replied. 'But I
+could at least hear what the agent has to say more satisfactorily than
+by letter. So pray let me call; give me all your instructions. I should
+be more than delighted to be of any use, you must know,' he ended
+earnestly.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle seemed pleased.</p>
+
+<p>'Thank you,' she said. 'Well, yes then; I will tell you what I want to
+know.'</p>
+
+<p>This conversation took place at luncheon. That afternoon Jacinth sought
+her mother in her own room.</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma,' she said, 'are you busy? May I talk to you a little?'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Mildmay laid down her pen.</p>
+
+<p>'I was writing to Marmy,' she said, 'but I have plenty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> of time. What is
+it, dear? I am glad to have a little quiet talk together. I have been
+wishing for it, too.'</p>
+
+<p>But Jacinth scarcely seemed to listen.</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma,' she began again, somewhat irrelevantly it might have seemed.
+'Brook Street isn't a <i>very</i> grand part of London, is it? At least all
+the houses in it are not tremendously grand, are they? I was thinking
+about Lady Myrtle's house. Couldn't it be arranged for <i>us</i> to be her
+tenants? I'm sure she would like it if she thought we would. Mightn't I
+say something about it to her? She likes me to say whatever I think of,
+but I thought&mdash;for such a thing as a <i>house</i>, perhaps I had better ask
+you first.'</p>
+
+<p>'But, my dearest child, we don't want any house in London,' said Mrs
+Mildmay with a smile which she strove to make unconstrained. 'You
+forget, dear, the choice was never between Barmettle and <i>London</i>, but
+between Barmettle and India again, and'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'But mamma,' interrupted Jacinth, 'please answer my question first. Is
+Brook Street very grand? Would a house there be out of the question for
+us, even if we&mdash;if we had one there for nothing?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes; unless we had another thousand a year at least, we could not
+possibly live there on our income with any comfort or consistency,' Mrs
+Mildmay replied quietly.</p>
+
+<p>The girl's face fell.</p>
+
+<p>'A thousand a year! that's a good deal,' she said. 'I had thought'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'But why worry yourself about things that can never be, dear Jassie?'
+said her mother. 'We were going to tell you&mdash;even your Aunt Alison does
+not know yet&mdash;that it is all decided, and oh, I am so thankful that the
+long separation<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> is over at last. Your father wrote yesterday to accept
+the Barmettle appointment.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth grew scarlet, then very, very pale.</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma,' she exclaimed, and the low repression in her tone was more
+unnatural&mdash;more alarming, I had almost said&mdash;in one so young, than any
+even violent ebullition of temper. 'Mamma, it <i>can't</i> be true. You are
+saying it to tease me. You&mdash;you and papa would never have settled it
+without telling me, without consulting Lady Myrtle, after all her
+goodness?'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' replied Mrs Mildmay, arming herself for the contest by a resolute
+determination not to lose her self-control, however it might be tried;
+'no, though a little reflection would show you that you should have more
+trust in your parents, dear Jacinth; it was <i>not</i> done without
+consulting our kind old friend. And however she may regret it, I <i>know</i>
+she respects your father's decision.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth looked up eagerly; a reaction of hope came over her.</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma,' she said breathlessly, 'believe me, I don't mean to be either
+disrespectful or distrustful, but did Lady Myrtle say nothing against
+it? Is she perhaps going to do so when&mdash;when she has thought everything
+over?'</p>
+
+<p>'She did say everything she could; she did use the strongest arguments
+she had: but she could not but see that your father's <i>motives</i> were
+right, and so she saw it must be as he said,' replied Mrs Mildmay.</p>
+
+<p>A harder look crept over Jacinth's face; the eager, almost nervous,
+anxiety died out of it.</p>
+
+<p>'There is something about all this that I do not understand,' she said.
+'Unless you and papa mean to treat me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> as a baby, I think I have a right
+to know. I think Lady Myrtle would say so.'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Mildmay felt much perplexed. Any approach to diplomacy, anything but
+perfect candour and frankness, was so foreign to her nature, that it was
+difficult for her not at once to speak out and explain the whole. But
+then, if she did so, she might be only sowing seeds of future
+bitterness. It was improbable, to say the least, that Jacinth had
+realised in any definite way Lady Myrtle's intentions with regard to
+her, seeing that the old lady had not announced them to her.</p>
+
+<p>'All she can know is only that Lady Myrtle meant to do <i>something</i>,'
+reflected Jacinth's mother. 'It would be for her happiness, and for that
+of us all, that she should never know more.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth saw the trouble in her mother's face.</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma,' she said, 'if you won't speak to me openly, I will ask Lady
+Myrtle herself.'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Mildmay flushed.</p>
+
+<p>'Jassie,' she said quietly, 'you do not mean it, but your tone sounds
+almost like a threat&mdash;to me&mdash;to your mother?' And in spite of herself,
+her voice trembled a little.</p>
+
+<p>But still Jacinth repeated coldly, 'I think I have a right to know.'</p>
+
+<p>At that moment the door opened, and to Mrs Mildmay's immense relief her
+husband entered.</p>
+
+<p>'What is the matter?' he asked quickly. 'Am I interrupting you?'</p>
+
+<p>'On the contrary,' said his wife, 'I am very glad you have come. Jacinth
+is, as I half feared she would be, exceedingly upset by the news about
+Barmettle, and she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> seems to think we have not treated her with the
+confidence she deserves.'</p>
+
+<p>'You cannot feel that, when I tell you that my decision was only made
+yesterday,' said her father to Jacinth.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes. I think you might have&mdash;have consulted me a little before making
+it,' the girl replied. 'It is something to me personally; to have to
+live at a place like that now I am nearly grown up.'</p>
+
+<p>She seemed to be purposely emphasising the selfish part of her
+dissatisfaction out of a kind of reckless defiance.</p>
+
+<p>'Do you quite understand that it was a choice between this appointment
+and an indefinite return to India?' said Colonel Mildmay.</p>
+
+<p>'I understand that you think so. But I don't see it. There was the
+London thing. And even if not, I would rather have had India.'</p>
+
+<p>'No, no, Jassie, don't do yourself injustice,' exclaimed her mother.
+'Not when you think of the risk to your father's health.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth hesitated.</p>
+
+<p>'But there <i>was</i> a choice,' she said; and now there was a touch of
+timidity in her voice.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Mildmay considered; they were approaching the crucial point, and
+he took his resolution.</p>
+
+<p>'No, Jacinth,' he said. 'To my mind, as an honourable man, there was no
+choice. I should have forfeited for ever my own self-respect had I
+agreed to Lady Myrtle's proposal.'</p>
+
+<p>And then he rapidly, but clearly, put before her the substance of their
+old friend's intentions and wishes, and his reasons for refusing to fall
+in with them.</p>
+
+<p>'Lady Myrtle is too good a woman to sow discord in a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> family,' he said,
+'between a child and her parents. And it was impossible for us to
+approve of the apportionment of her property she proposed, knowing that
+there exist at this very time those who <i>have</i> a claim on her, who most
+thoroughly deserve the restoration of what should have been theirs
+always; who have suffered, indeed, already only too severely for the sin
+and wrong-doing of another.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth started, and the lines of her face hardened again.</p>
+
+<p>'I thought it was that,' she exclaimed. 'Those people&mdash;they are at the
+bottom of it, then.'</p>
+
+<p>'Jacinth!' said her mother.</p>
+
+<p>'I beg your pardon, mamma,' said the girl quickly. 'It must sound very
+strange for me to speak like that; but, you don't know how I have been
+teased about these Harpers. And mamma, Lady Myrtle doesn't look upon
+them as you and papa do, so why should you expect me to do so? Do you
+suppose she will leave <i>them</i> anything she would have left us&mdash;me?'</p>
+
+<p>'Very likely not,' said Colonel Mildmay.</p>
+
+<p>'Then for everybody's sake, why not have left things as Lady Myrtle
+meant? I&mdash;we, I mean,' and Jacinth's face crimsoned, 'could have been
+good to them; it would have been better for them in the end.'</p>
+
+<p>'Do you suppose they would have accepted help&mdash;money, to put it
+coarsely&mdash;from strangers?' said Colonel Mildmay. 'It is not <i>help</i> they
+should have, but actual practical restoration of what should be theirs.
+And even supposing our decision does them no good, can't you see,
+Jacinth, that anything else would be <i>wrong</i>?'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' said Jacinth, 'I don't see it.'</p>
+
+<p>'Then I am sorry for you,' said her father coldly.</p>
+
+<p>'I know,' said Jacinth, 'that Lady Myrtle likes things one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> way or
+another. I suppose she will give us up altogether now. I suppose she
+will leave off caring anything about me. You think very badly of me,
+papa, I can see; you think me mercenary and selfish and everything
+horrid; but&mdash;it <i>wasn't</i> only for myself, and it isn't only because of
+what she was doing for us, and meant to do for us. I have got to love
+Lady Myrtle very much, and I shall feel dreadfully the never seeing her
+any more, and&mdash;and'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Here, not altogether to her mother's distress, Jacinth broke down and
+began to sob bitterly. Mrs Mildmay got up from her seat, and came close
+to where the girl was sitting by the table.</p>
+
+<p>'My poor dear child,' she said, 'we have never thought you selfish in
+<i>that</i> sort of way.'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' agreed her father; 'that you may believe. You have had of late too
+much responsibility thrown upon you, and it has given you the feeling
+that the whole fortunes of your family depended upon you in some sense.
+Be content to be a child a little longer, my Jacinth, and to trust your
+parents. And there is no need for you to anticipate any change with Lady
+Myrtle. She will care for you, and for us all, as much as ever&mdash;more
+perhaps; and as much time as it will be right for you to spend away from
+your own home, you shall have our heartiest consent to spending with
+her. If you can in any way give her pleasure&mdash;and I know you can&mdash;it
+will be the very least we can do in return for her really wonderful
+goodness to us.'</p>
+
+<p>'I should like to see her; to be with her sometimes,' said Jacinth,
+whose sobs had now calmed down into quiet crying. 'But I don't
+want&mdash;once we go away to that place&mdash;I don't want ever to see Robin
+Redbreast again. Ever<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> since'&mdash;and here she had to stop a moment&mdash;'ever
+since that first day when we passed it with Uncle Marmy, I have had a
+sort of feeling to this house&mdash;a kind of presentiment. I can't bear to
+think of its going to strangers, or&mdash;or people that know nothing about
+Lady Myrtle. And very likely, if she leaves all she has to big hospitals
+or something like that, very likely this place will be sold.'</p>
+
+<p>'It may be so,' said Colonel Mildmay; and he added with a smile, 'I wish
+for your sake I were rich enough to buy it, my poor dear child.'</p>
+
+<p>So Jacinth's castles in the air were somewhat rudely destroyed. There
+was but one consolation to her. Lady Myrtle was even more loving than
+hitherto, though she said nothing about the collapse of her plans. For
+Mrs Mildmay gave her to understand that matters, so far as was fitting,
+had been explained to her elder daughter.</p>
+
+<p>'Humph!' said the old lady. 'That seals <i>my</i> lips. For of course I
+cannot express disapproval of her parents to the child.'</p>
+
+<p>But her tenderness and marked affection went some way to soothe the
+smarting of the girl's sore feelings.</p>
+
+<p>'She understands me far better than papa and mamma do,' thought Jacinth.
+'If they meant me to see everything through their eyes, they shouldn't
+have left me away from them all these years.'</p>
+
+<p>Still a curious strain of pride in her father's stern honesty, in his
+utter disinterestedness, now and then mingled with her feelings of
+disappointment. She could not help feeling proud of him! Nevertheless
+the tears were many and bitter which Jacinth shed when the last night of
+their stay at Robin Redbreast came.</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;">
+<img src="images/i257.jpg" width="550" height="139" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2>
+
+<h3>TWO DEGREES OF HONESTY.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Barmettle is not an attractive place; though like most places in this
+varied world it has its interests and even no doubt its charm for many
+of its inhabitants&mdash;its bright and happy homes, as well as its thousands
+of hard, if not overworked, pale-faced artisans, men and women, of many
+grades and classes.</p>
+
+<p>And the sun can shine there sometimes; and not so many miles from the
+very centre of the town, you can escape from the heavy pall of
+smoke-filled air, into fresh and picturesque country, whose beauties, to
+my thinking, strike one all the more vividly from the force of contrast
+with the ugliness and griminess which you cannot forget are so near.</p>
+
+<p>There had been some talk&mdash;when the Mildmay family first contemplated the
+pitching of their tent in this unknown land&mdash;there had been some talk of
+a house in the neighbourhood of the town, a few miles out, where a
+garden and a field or two would have been possible, to reconcile the
+children and their mother, to some extent, to the great change from all
+their former experiences. But Colonel Mildmay had been obliged to give
+up hopes of this. There were several difficulties in the way, and <i>the</i>
+house which sometimes at such crises turns up with such undeniable
+advantages as to over-ride the less immediate objections,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> had not
+offered itself. So, considering the inconvenience of scanty
+communication between the barracks and the 'pretty' side of the
+outskirts, the impossibility of day-school arrangements for Eugene, and
+a very certain amount of loneliness and isolation, especially in the
+winter months, the fairly desirable house in St Wilfred's Place which
+<i>did</i> offer itself carried the day.</p>
+
+<p>It was but five minutes' walk from Colonel Mildmay's official quarters,
+and conveniently near Eugene's school; it was very much in the minds of
+the teachers who now replaced the Misses Scarlett's institution as
+regarded the girls; it was not duller as to outlook and surroundings
+than had to be at Barmettle, for it faced St Wilfred's Church, one of
+the oldest and most interesting structures in the modern town, which had
+once been a pleasant straggling north-country village; and last, though
+not least, its rent was moderate.</p>
+
+<p>And Mrs Mildmay, unspoilt by her long residence in the East&mdash;as full of
+energy and resources as when she arranged the drawing-rooms at
+Stannesley in her careless girlish days, and laughed merrily at her kind
+step-mother's old-fashioned notions&mdash;exerted herself to make the house
+as pretty as she possibly could.</p>
+
+<p>'I am glad it is cheap,' she said to her husband, 'for we can afford to
+spend rather more in making it comfortable and nice, especially for
+Jassie.'</p>
+
+<p>And Jacinth's room was all a girl could wish, and at night, when the
+outer world was shut off, and the dark square hall and wide quaint
+staircase, which had attracted the new tenants in their house-hunting,
+were lighted up, looking bright and cheerful with the crimson carpets
+and curtains which Barmettle smoke had not as yet had time to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> dull,
+Frances's expression of approval, 'Really it looks so nice that you
+might fancy it wasn't Barmettle at all,' could scarcely be contradicted.</p>
+
+<p>But Frances, like her mother, was born with the happy faculty for seeing
+the best side of things. It was all, naturally, much harder on Jacinth.
+And as Jacinth stood one morning in November looking out into the dreary
+street, where rain had been pouring down ever since daybreak, and was
+still dripping monotonously, she did feel that her lines had not of late
+fallen in pleasant places. Yet she was not so selfish as this sounds.
+She had made a struggle to see things as her parents did, and in this
+she had not been entirely unsuccessful, and the constant love and
+watchful sympathy which were now a part of her daily life, unconsciously
+influenced her in good and gentle ways which she scarcely realised.</p>
+
+<p>Some ground she had gained. She had come to see that if her father and
+mother felt about the Harper family as they did, they could not have
+acted otherwise. And her own conscience was not, it will be remembered,
+entirely clear. 'Of course,' she said to herself, 'if Lady Myrtle had
+been left to do as she wished, I should have felt it my duty to do
+something for the Harpers. I'm sure I should have found some way of
+managing it.' But no doubt there was a kind of relief in feeling it was
+taken out of her hands, for Jacinth was growing gradually less confident
+in her own powers: for the first time in her life she was realising the
+delight and privilege of having others wiser than herself to whom she
+could look up.</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma,' she said, on the morning in question, 'do you think there
+really are places where it rains ever so much more than at others? or is
+it only that we notice it more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> at some? I really could almost think
+that it rains here <i>every</i> day.'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Mildmay smiled.</p>
+
+<p>'No, dear, it really does not. I don't think the rainfall here is much
+greater than in London or at Thetford, but the heavy air and the
+grayness make us, as you say, notice it more. In many places where there
+actually is more rain than the average, the country is peculiarly bright
+and fresh. Think of the grass in Ireland.'</p>
+
+<p>But Jacinth's thoughts were already wandering elsewhere.</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma,' she began again, 'do you think we shall have to stay here for
+Christmas?'</p>
+
+<p>'I suppose so,' replied Mrs Mildmay. 'Even if Lady Myrtle wished it&mdash;as
+indeed I am sure she does&mdash;it would hardly be worth while for us to go
+to her for only two or three days, which is all the leave your father
+could get. And there are a good many things we have to see to here.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' said Frances, 'there's the Christmas treat for the barracks
+children. It's never been properly done. And Miss Lettice Piers is going
+to invite us to their treat at St Wilfred's first, so that we may see.
+I'd like best to have our visits to Robin Redbreast in the summer,
+except that it must be rather dull for Lady Myrtle. She was so pleased
+to have us there last Christmas.'</p>
+
+<p>'I wish we could have her here,' said Mrs Mildmay. 'But she would never
+be allowed to come up north in the winter.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth sighed.</p>
+
+<p>'It seems a good while since we heard from Lady Myrtle,' she said. 'I
+hope she's not ill. I did think she would have <i>tried</i> to get us there
+for Christmas.'</p>
+
+<p>'I don't think she can be ill,' said Mrs Mildmay, 'for your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> aunt would
+have known it. She goes to see Lady Myrtle regularly. I shall be hearing
+from Alison in a day or two, however.'</p>
+
+<p>'Jassie,' said Frances, a moment or two later, when their mother had
+left the room, 'I wish you wouldn't look so melancholy. Just think what
+a lot of nice things have come to us, as well as the sad ones. Just
+fancy how we should have been ready to jump out of our skins for joy if
+we had known, when we left Stannesley, how soon papa and mamma would be
+at home with us.'</p>
+
+<p>'I know,' said Jacinth. 'I do try to think of all that. But I do so
+dislike this gloomy place, Francie, and I think papa looks so fagged,
+and we have scarcely any friends we care for; the people are all so
+stupid, and so'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'So what?'</p>
+
+<p>'So rich,' said Jacinth, rather at a loss apparently what crime to lay
+at the doors of the good folk of the manufacturing town who had incurred
+her displeasure.</p>
+
+<p>Frances laughed.</p>
+
+<p>'That's not a sin,' she said. 'Lady Myrtle's rich, and so in a way, I
+suppose, is Uncle Marmy.'</p>
+
+<p>'I mean they seem to think of it so. Once or twice, when I've paid calls
+with mamma, they were so fussy and show-off. You know how I mean,' said
+Jacinth.</p>
+
+<p>'Well, there are plenty of poor too, if that would make you like
+Barmettle any better. Amy Piers says there are some dreadfully poor, and
+she says that even the ones who get very big wages don't save at all,
+and then if there comes a bad time&mdash;a bad time for trade, when some of
+the people have to be turned off: it does come like that now and then,
+she says, though I don't understand why&mdash;they are really starving.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'They should be taught to save, then,' said Jacinth. 'Why don't the
+Piers teach them? If I were the vicar, I'd preach sermons about it. If
+people are so silly, they must expect to suffer for it.'</p>
+
+<p>'But think of the poor little children!' said Frances, whose sympathy
+was readier than her sister's. 'It isn't <i>their</i> fault, and they suffer
+the most. Amy says it's a good deal owing to the people spending so much
+on beer and brandy and horrid tipsifying things. I'm sure the Piers do
+all they possibly can, and you know how papa says that, even with all
+the strict rules in the army, it's awfully difficult to keep the men
+sober. If I were the Queen, Jass, I'd make a law against having so many
+public-houses; I would indeed.'</p>
+
+<p>'The Queen can't make laws all by herself like that, Frances. You don't
+understand. If the people were taught how horrid it is to get drunk,
+they'd leave off wanting to buy too much beer and things like that, and
+then the public-houses would have to give up because they wouldn't have
+customers enough. That's the best way.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well, I think it should be done both ways,' said Frances. 'If there
+weren't so many public-houses, there wouldn't be so much temptation;'
+and the little reformer nodded her head sagely.</p>
+
+<p>Just then Mrs Mildmay re-entered the room.</p>
+
+<p>'Jassie dear,' she said, 'it's Saturday morning. You have no lessons,
+and though it's so rainy I know you're not afraid of the weather.
+Frances has a cold, so she mustn't come out. Will you wrap yourself up
+well, and come a little way with me to help me to carry some things to
+Mrs Wake? She has gone to stay with her mother, you know, for a little
+change, but they are very poor people, and I must help them as much as I
+can.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Jacinth sprang to her feet eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh yes, mamma,' she exclaimed, 'I should like very much to come. I'll
+be ready directly. I'll put on a thick jacket and my waterproof cape
+over that.'</p>
+
+<p>And in a few minutes the mother and daughter were making their way, each
+laden with some parcels as well as the unavoidable umbrella, along the
+muddy pavement in the direction of a poorer part of the town. Mrs Wake
+was the wife of one of Colonel Mildmay's soldier servants; she happened
+to belong to a Barmettle family, which was just now very fortunate for
+her, as she had had a most serious illness in the barracks, and had
+lately been moved for greater quiet to her own old home.</p>
+
+<p>'Francie and I were just talking about the poor people here,' said
+Jacinth. 'Amy Piers tells her about them. I shall be very glad to see
+one of the homes they live in.'</p>
+
+<p>'It will be rather a good specimen, though they are very poor people,'
+said Mrs Mildmay; 'for they are thrifty and most respectable. But for
+many years the father has not been able to earn full wages, as he was
+crippled by an accident. Indeed, but for the kindness of the head of the
+factory where he worked, he would have been turned off altogether on a
+very small pension. It was true kindness to let him stay on to do what
+work he could, for it kept up his spirits.'</p>
+
+<p>'The master must be a good man,' said Jacinth.</p>
+
+<p>'I believe he is&mdash;one of the best in Barmettle,' said Mrs Mildmay. 'But
+here we are, Jassie,' and as she spoke she turned down a small passage,
+not wide enough to be called by a more important name, leading out of
+the already poor and narrow street they were in, and knocked at a door a
+few steps on.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It was quickly opened. A rather gaunt and careworn, but clean and
+honest-looking, elderly woman stood before them. Her eyes were red with
+crying, but she welcomed Mrs Mildmay very civilly, though with a sort of
+reserve of manner which struck Jacinth as very different from the
+extremely hearty, though respectful, deference with which, as her
+grandmother's messenger, she used to be received by their own villagers
+at Stannesley.</p>
+
+<p>'You'll be come to ask for my daughter,' said the woman. She had been a
+domestic servant, and had but little north-country accent. 'You're
+welcome, I'm sure, and she'll take it kindly. Take a seat,' and she led
+them into the little kitchen, tidy and clean, though encumbered with
+some pieces of treasured furniture decidedly too big for it. 'Yes, she's
+fairly&mdash;th' doctor's main content.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh,' said Mrs Mildmay, 'I am glad to hear it. I was afraid when I saw
+you'&mdash;&mdash;But she stopped suddenly, for before she could say more the old
+woman had sunk into a chair, and, flinging her apron over her head, was
+giving way to bitter weeping. Jacinth felt both distressed and alarmed.
+Like her mother she had noticed the signs of tears on Mrs Burton's face.</p>
+
+<p>'I am so sorry,' said Mrs Mildmay, getting up as she said the words, and
+standing beside the woman, she gently laid her hand on her arm. 'Is it
+some new trouble&mdash;your husband?'</p>
+
+<p>'Nay, nay,' sobbed the poor thing. 'Burton is finely&mdash;for him, that's to
+say. But have ye not heard th' ill news?' and she raised her head in
+surprise. 'Th' measter,' and as she grew absorbed in what she had to
+tell, she fell back into the kind of talk she had accustomed herself to
+discard when with 'gentry.' 'He's gone!' and her sobs broke out again.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'What! good Mr Fairfield,' said Mrs Mildmay. 'No, I had not heard it.
+What a loss he will be! Was it very sudden?'</p>
+
+<p>And Jacinth standing by, listened eagerly to all Mrs Burton told.</p>
+
+<p>He had been struck by paralysis&mdash;the kind friend of so many years&mdash;only
+two days before, and had never rallied. And the grief was widespread and
+deep. It would throw many into sorrow and anxiety too, the old woman
+said; for though he left two sons to succeed him, it remained to be seen
+if they would follow in his footsteps.</p>
+
+<p>'They will be very rich; they may not care to carry on the business, of
+course,' said Mrs Mildmay. 'No doubt Mr Fairfield has left a large
+fortune.'</p>
+
+<p>But Mrs Burton shook her head. It was far from the case. The business
+was doing well, as it deserved to do, but beyond its good prospects he
+left but little. And then she went on to explain why it was so; thus
+entering into the circumstances which had so specially endeared the dead
+man to his workpeople. A good many years ago, she related, when Mr
+Fairfield had first inherited the 'works,' a terrible accident had
+occurred, in which, with several others, Burton had suffered. The
+accident, though in those days such inquiries were less searching, had
+revealed a certain danger in a part of the machinery recently introduced
+at great expense, as a wonderful improvement. The danger was remote; it
+was perfectly possible no damage might ever again occur from the same
+cause; no pressure of any kind was put upon the master, no suggestion
+even, of change; his own workpeople would not have blamed him had he
+'let things be.' But such was not Mr Fairfield's way of viewing a
+master's responsibilities. He had almost all the machinery changed, for
+the one alteration he deemed absolutely necessary<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> involved others. And
+the outlay had been something immense, especially as a run of bad years
+had followed it. And even when times improved again, and he began to
+feel his head above water, he never himself benefited by the profits as
+most would have done.</p>
+
+<p>''Twas always summat for his people, as he called 'em, bless him.
+Reading-rooms, or clubs, or schools. Year in, year out, 'twas his first
+thought and his last. What else was he there for? he'd say, mony's the
+time. Ah, well; he's gone where <i>his</i> Master'll have good thought for
+<i>him</i>,' the old woman added quaintly, 'the master he served so faithful.
+For ye see, ma'am,' she went on, forgetting for the moment her grief in
+her earnestness, 'I take it as it's this way. There's honesty to God as
+well as honesty to men. None would 'a blamed Measter Fairfield if he'd
+let things be; no man could 'a done so. But he looked higher nor the
+judging o' men.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, truly,' Mrs Mildmay heartily agreed, 'that was the secret, Mrs
+Burton.'</p>
+
+<p>'But, oh dear, dear;' cried the poor woman, relapsing again into the
+tears which did her credit, 'it's mony a sore heart he'll leave behind
+him.'</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma,' said Jacinth softly and half timidly, when a quarter of an hour
+or so later they were wending their way home relieved of their packages,
+through the muddy streets&mdash;'mamma, do you know that what she said&mdash;old
+Mrs Burton, I mean&mdash;about the two kinds of honesty has helped to&mdash;to
+make me understand better than I did before what papa felt, and you too,
+of course, about&mdash;about Lady Myrtle and the Harpers, you know.'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Mildmay, in spite of the rain and her umbrella, managed to give
+Jacinth's arm a little loving squeeze.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'I am so glad, so very glad, dear,' she said.</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma,' said Jacinth, again, after a little silence, in a more assured
+voice this time, 'if papa had been in Mr Fairfield's place, he would
+have done just like him, wouldn't he?'</p>
+
+<p>'I am quite sure he would,' agreed her mother.</p>
+
+<p>And notwithstanding the cold and the rain and the grimness of
+everything, I think Jacinth felt happier that day than since they had
+come to Barmettle.</p>
+
+<p>A day or two later another little event helped to confirm Jacinth's
+better and truer views of her great disappointment. This was the arrival
+of a letter for Frances, forwarded from Thetford by their Aunt Alison.</p>
+
+<p>'A letter for me!' exclaimed the little girl, when at the
+breakfast-table her mother handed it to her. 'Whom can it be from? I
+hardly ever get any letters.' But as her eye fell on the address her
+face flushed and brightened.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, I do believe,' she said, 'I do believe it's from Bessie&mdash;Bessie
+Harper. And of course she'd have to send it to Aunt Alison's; she
+doesn't know we've left Thetford.'</p>
+
+<p>'I'm not so sure of that,' said Mrs Mildmay. 'When I wrote to Mrs Lyle
+some time ago, I told her we were coming to Barmettle, but very likely
+she did not think of sending our address to her nieces, for they have
+not been in the habit of writing to you or Jacinth.'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' Frances replied, rather incoherently, for she was already buried
+in her letter, 'that's what she says. "Aunt Flora"&mdash;is that Mrs Lyle,
+mamma?&mdash;"Aunt Flora told us you had gone to live up in the north. I am
+afraid it can't be as bright and pretty there as at Thetford, but still
+it must be lovely to have your father and mother with you for always
+now. I think I can understand far better than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> ever what a very great
+trouble it must have been to you and your sister to be without them all
+those years, for oh, we did so miss father and mother when they were in
+London for six months, and then in Germany. They took Margaret with them
+to Germany, and it did her such a lot of good. I have wanted to write to
+you ever so often, and so has Camilla, but mother wasn't quite sure how
+we could say what we wished. But now she has had another letter from
+Aunt Flora, and this has made her give me leave to write and tell you
+all our beautiful news. Just fancy, dear Francie, father is <i>almost</i>
+quite well. Of course he will always be lame, but he counts that
+nothing, and it's really not so bad nearly as it was. All he had done at
+the London hospital and then the German baths has turned out <i>so well</i>,
+and now to make it&mdash;the cure, I mean&mdash;quite lasting, we are
+<i>all</i>&mdash;though I write it, I can scarcely believe it&mdash;going abroad to
+some mild place for the winter. We have not quite fixed where; but we
+have let Hedge End till next May, and we shall start very soon. If you
+write to me, please address it to Hedge End. And now I want to say
+something that is rather difficult to say. What has made everything come
+right has been the goodness of father's aunt, Lady Myrtle Goodacre. Just
+when we were almost in despair, and it seemed as if nothing <i>could</i> save
+father, she sent mother a lot of money: she said it was a present, but
+<i>we</i> all count it a loan. It was enough to do everything, and more than
+enough, and we can never, never thank her too much. But in our hearts we
+all feel sure that, though you kept exactly to what mother and Camilla
+asked, yet some of you, <i>somehow</i>, have been our good fairies. Perhaps
+it was your sister Jacinth, perhaps it was Mrs Mildmay; and I am sure,
+dear Francie, that if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> ever <i>you</i> had a chance you spoke kindly of us;
+perhaps we shall never know exactly who did it, or how it was done, so
+wisely and carefully as it must have been. But oh, we <i>do</i> thank you; if
+you could see the difference in everything about us now, how we are all
+as happy as the day's long, <i>you</i> would all feel happy just to see it.
+Nearly every night, when we say our prayers, Margaret and I thank God
+for having sent you and Jacinth to be our school-fellows at Miss
+Scarlett's, and for the wonderful way things have come right."'</p>
+
+<p>Then followed a few details more interesting to Frances than of
+consequence in themselves, about the lessons Bessie and Margaret had
+been doing, and how well Camilla managed to teach them, and hopes that
+'some day' the former school-fellows might meet again; ending up with
+repetitions of the gratitude they felt <i>sure</i> they owed to somebody, and
+'much love' from 'your affectionate friend, Elizabeth Vandeleur Harper.'</p>
+
+<p>'"Vandeleur" was Bessie's mother's name. She's very proud of it,' said
+Frances, gazing admiringly at the pretty writing. Then she looked up
+with glistening eyes. 'Mamma, Jass, isn't it <i>beautiful</i>? Isn't it
+lovely to think they're so much happier?'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Mildmay's own face was nearly as bright as Francie's.</p>
+
+<p>'I cannot <i>tell</i> you how glad and thankful I am,' she said. And she took
+hold gently of Jacinth's hand. 'Doesn't it seem to follow up what we
+were saying the other day after we had been at old Mrs Burton's?' she
+whispered.</p>
+
+<p>But Jacinth's face looked pale, and her eyes had tears in them.</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma,' she said, 'I suppose you thought I wouldn't have been nice
+about it, but I think you might have told<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> me that you did get Lady
+Myrtle to do something to help the Harpers. I can see that Francie knew
+about it, and it is horrid to be in a way <i>thanked</i> by them, when&mdash;when
+I have really been more a sort of enemy to them than a friend.'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Mildmay had started a little at Jacinth's first words, for she had
+in fact forgotten, in the consciousness of increasing sympathy between
+her elder daughter and herself, how, at the time of her first appeal to
+Lady Myrtle, she had judged it wiser to say nothing about it to Jacinth.
+And now to her candid and naturally confiding nature this reticence gave
+her almost a guilty feeling. But as Jacinth went on speaking, her mother
+realised that she had done wisely.</p>
+
+<p>'Dear Jassie,' she said quietly, 'at that time I did think it better not
+to tell you that I had interfered. I wanted to avoid all possibilities
+of irritation till you got to know me better. And I did see that you
+were prejudiced to some extent. But now I feel quite differently about
+it, and I wish I had thought of telling you lately, though you must take
+my not having done so as a proof of my feeling at one with you. For till
+this minute I thought you did know. At least I forgot you did not. I
+will tell you exactly how it came about.' And she did so, adding rather
+sadly, as she concluded, 'And after all, dear, you see I was able to do
+very little. Lady Myrtle will <i>not</i> think of them as her relations, and
+grateful though they are for this present help, of course it is not
+anything lasting; not what we would like to make sure of for their
+future.'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' Jacinth agreed, 'I understand how you mean. Still, it is a very
+good thing their father is so much better. I think they have a great
+deal to thank you for, mamma&mdash;you, and Francie too, in her way. I think
+they should know <i>I</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> have not helped at all; it makes me feel
+almost&mdash;dishonest. If Francie writes to Bessie, couldn't she say
+something?'</p>
+
+<p>'Whatever she says about the matter at all must only be very slight and
+vague,' said Mrs Mildmay. 'And, Jassie dear, you <i>do</i> feel kindly to
+them now?'</p>
+
+<p>'I want to feel whatever's right,' Jacinth replied, and her tone was
+wonderfully humble.</p>
+
+<p>'Then there is no need to enter into any explanations,' said Mrs
+Mildmay. 'It would only hurt poor Bessie if you made any sort of
+disclaimer of the friendliness they credit us all with. The only thing
+you could ever do might perhaps be'&mdash;&mdash;She hesitated.</p>
+
+<p>'What, mamma?' asked Jacinth.</p>
+
+<p>'Some day,' said her mother, 'you <i>may</i> have an opportunity of saying to
+Lady Myrtle that you think you were a little prejudiced against them.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' Jacinth agreed, 'perhaps it would be right. For, you see, mamma,
+<i>she</i> thought I avoided speaking of them because I did not want to annoy
+her, and I think I made myself believe that too. But now I see it wasn't
+only that. It was partly a&mdash;I feel ashamed to think of it&mdash;a sort of
+horrid jealousy, I am afraid, mamma.'</p>
+
+<p>And though she reddened as she made what to her was really a painful
+confession, Jacinth's heart felt lighter from that moment. There was now
+no shadow of misunderstanding between her mother and herself.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 228px;">
+<img src="images/i271.jpg" width="228" height="75" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;">
+<img src="images/i272.jpg" width="550" height="137" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>'I WILL THINK IT OVER.'</h3>
+
+
+<p>The very faint hope which the Mildmays&mdash;Jacinth especially&mdash;had
+cherished that, after all, the coming Christmas might 'somehow' be spent
+by them and Lady Myrtle together, soon faded.</p>
+
+<p>There was no question of the old lady's coming north, though in one of
+her letters she spoke of the gladness with which she would have made the
+effort had it been possible; and there was even no question of their all
+joining her at Robin Redbreast, though but for a short visit, for in
+November the fiat went forth which each winter she had secretly for some
+years past been dreading&mdash;she must not remain in England. For her
+chronic bronchitis was on her again, and a premature taste of winter in
+the late autumn threatened for a week or two to turn this into something
+worse.</p>
+
+<p>'For myself,' she wrote, 'I would rather stay at home and take the risk,
+but I suppose it would be wrong, though really at my age I have little
+sympathy with that excessive clinging to life one sees where one would
+little expect it. But there is nothing to detain me here specially, and
+it may be that I shall benefit by the change. I want to choose one of
+the winter places I was so happy at more than once long ago, with <i>your</i>
+mother, when she and I travelled together with my parents.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>For the letter was to Mrs Mildmay.</p>
+
+<p>And a fortnight or so later came another, which threw great excitement
+into the house in St Wilfred's Place, where the children were doing
+their best to give something of a festive and country look to the rather
+dark rooms with the help of plenty of holly and mistletoe, which had
+come in a Christmas hamper from Robin Redbreast, by Lady Myrtle's
+orders, though she was no longer there. For by this time it was
+Christmas Eve.</p>
+
+<p>This new letter was from abroad. The old lady was already settled in her
+winter quarters. Which of the many southern resorts she had chosen
+matters little, as it is no part of this simple story to describe
+continental towns or foreign travel. And in this particular case there
+would be little interest in either, seeing that these places are so well
+known nowadays to the mass of English folk of the well-to-do classes,
+that accounts of them are pretty sure to be monotonous repetitions. We
+will call the spot selected 'Basse.'</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle wrote cheerfully. She was better, and she was enjoying, as
+old people learn to do, the chastened pleasure of recalling happy days
+in the scenes she was now revisiting.</p>
+
+<p>'It is all wonderfully little changed,' she wrote. 'I drive along the
+same roads, and walk slowly up and down the same terraces, where Lady
+Jacinth and I used to talk together by the hour in our light-hearted
+girlhood. I even fancy I recognise some of the shops we pass, for I am
+able to stroll about the quieter streets a little with the help of my
+good Clayton's arm. I have actually done a little shopping, the results
+of which will, I trust, please you, trifling as they are. I am sending
+off a little box by the Globe Express, which will, I hope, reach you by
+Christmas Day. And now, dear<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> Eugenia, for the point of my letter. It is
+Clayton's idea; she burst out with it the other day when we were busy
+about this same shopping. "Oh, my lady, if only Miss Jacinth&mdash;Miss
+Mildmay I should say&mdash;were here it would be nice! She's just the young
+lady to enjoy the change and not mind the quiet life, and she <i>would</i>
+brighten you up." So will you spare her to me for the three or four
+months I shall be here? I hesitate to ask it; you will miss her so. But
+I am emboldened by the belief that it might be for the dear child's own
+good. She could have excellent lessons of any or every kind, and some
+amount of French talking, as I have a few old French friends in the
+neighbourhood, near enough to spend a day with now and then. Her father
+would bring her out, and, for my sake, I trust, not grudge the time and
+fatigue. The whole expenses you would surely let me defray? You cannot
+be hard-hearted enough to refuse <i>this</i>, dearest Eugenia.'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Mildmay thought it over and talked it over with her husband: then
+they laid it before Jacinth herself, giving her indeed the letter itself
+to read. Jacinth's face crimsoned with pleasure and excitement, and her
+eyes glistened. But in a moment or two they grew dewy.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, mamma,' she exclaimed, 'it would be delightful. But&mdash;I cannot bear
+to think of leaving you for so long.'</p>
+
+<p>These were sweet and grateful words to the mother's ears. But, as ever,
+she took the cheerful and sensible view of the matter. The separation
+would be but a short one, and it might really be of great advantage to
+Jacinth. Besides which&mdash;and this argument, I think, had the most weight
+with them all&mdash;was it not a duty to do what they could to please their
+dear old friend?</p>
+
+<p>So a favourable and grateful answer was sent without<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> much delay, and
+before the new year was many days old, Jacinth and her father found
+themselves speeding across France as fast as the <i>train de luxe</i> could
+take them, to join Lady Myrtle in her winter home.</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth enjoyed it all, and there was a considerable amount of freshness
+to her in the experience, though it was not entirely unknown ground.
+For, as a young child, she had spent some time in the south of France
+with her mother on her way to England, and she had once in later years
+passed a week or two in Paris with Uncle Marmy and 'Granny.' But the
+special place which Lady Myrtle had chosen was quite new to her, and it
+had its own peculiar beauties and attractions.</p>
+
+<p>'Tell mamma,' she said to her father the morning before he was to leave,
+'tell dear mamma and Francie that I am as happy as I can be anywhere
+away from them. And I will work really hard at French and music, so that
+I may be able to help Francie with hers. And it will please mamma, won't
+it, papa, to hear how glad Lady Myrtle seems to have me?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, dear, I am sure it will,' said Colonel Mildmay cordially. 'I
+cannot help feeling, personally, great pleasure in having been able to
+do anything to gratify her. It was generous of her to give us the
+opportunity of doing so.'</p>
+
+<p>'She <i>is</i> so generous,' said Jacinth warmly, 'so large hearted about
+everything, isn't she, papa?'</p>
+
+<p>'She is indeed,' her father agreed with a little sigh, 'about everything
+except <i>one</i> thing. It is curious and sad to see how very deep down are
+her prepossessions on that subject. And I am the more hopeless about
+them, because there is really no personal vindictiveness, or even, I may
+say, prejudice mixed up with these convictions.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'It <i>is</i> sad,' Jacinth agreed.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning saw Colonel Mildmay's departure for home.</p>
+
+<p>Then began for Jacinth a quiet, regular, but far from unenjoyable life.
+Lady Myrtle had already made inquiries about the best teachers, and such
+of these as undertook the special subjects the girl wished to give her
+time to were engaged for her. So several hours of each day were soon
+told off for lessons and preparation for them. As a rule, Lady Myrtle
+drove out in the afternoon, her young guest accompanying her, sometimes
+to pay calls to such of the visitors to the place as were old friends,
+or in some few cases new acquaintances of hers; sometimes out into the
+beautiful country in the neighbourhood, beautiful even in mid-winter,
+where the views were as varied as charming.</p>
+
+<p>And as a rule, between twelve and one o'clock, sometimes too in the
+afternoon if the old lady were not feeling well enough for a drive,
+Jacinth went for a brisk walk with Clayton as her duenna.</p>
+
+<p>It was during one of these walks that something most unexpected happened
+one day. Lady Myrtle had caught a slight cold and been forbidden to go
+out. It was a bright but somewhat treacherous day, for though the
+sunshine was warm there was a sharp, almost icy, 'under air' painfully
+perceptible in the shade.</p>
+
+<p>'I feel roasted and frozen at once; don't you, Clayton?' said Jacinth
+laughingly, as they crossed the road to get into the warmth, such as it
+was, again.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, indeed, Miss Mildmay,' the maid agreed. 'It's a day when you need
+both a parasol and a muff together. For there is such a glare.'</p>
+
+<p>A glare there was, truly. Snow had been falling now and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> then during the
+last day or two, and though but in light and short showers, the ground
+was sufficiently frozen for it to 'lie;' so that the sunshine, not
+powerful enough to melt it, save here and there very superficially, was
+reflected from the gleaming surface with extraordinary brilliancy.</p>
+
+<p>'We really should have snow spectacles,' Jacinth was saying, when a
+sudden shock made her aware that in her dazzled state she had run foul
+of some one or something standing on the pathway just in front of her.</p>
+
+<p>'I beg your pardon,' she exclaimed instinctively, and the stranger
+turning sharply&mdash;for she had been looking in the forward
+direction&mdash;almost at the same moment made the same apology, adding
+quickly, when she heard Jacinth's English voice, 'I should not be
+blocking up the'&mdash;&mdash;But her sentence was never completed. 'Oh, can it be
+you? Jacinth&mdash;Jacinth Mildmay? Is Frances here? Oh, how
+delightful.&mdash;Camilla,' as an older girl came across the road in her
+direction, 'Camilla, just fancy&mdash;this is Jacinth. I can scarcely believe
+it,' and before Jacinth had had time to say a word, she felt two
+clinging arms thrown round her neck, and kisses pressed on her burning
+cheeks, by the sweet, loving lips of Bessie Harper.</p>
+
+<p>The blood had rushed to Jacinth's face in a torrent, and for a moment
+she almost gasped for breath.</p>
+
+<p>'Bessie, Bessie dear, you are such a whirlwind. You have startled Miss
+Mildmay terribly.'</p>
+
+<p>'I am so sorry,' said Bessie penitently, and then at last Jacinth was
+able to answer the girl's inquiries, and explain how it had come about
+that she alone of her family was here so far from home.</p>
+
+<p>'And are <i>you</i> all here?' she asked in return.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' Miss Harper answered, 'all of us except my eldest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> brother. The
+two others are here temporarily; the little one who is going into the
+navy got his Christmas holidays, and the other has his long leave just
+now. And my father is so wonderfully better; you heard, you saw Bessie's
+letter to Frances?' and Camilla's face grew rosy in its turn.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh yes,' Jacinth replied. 'We were very, very glad. Frances wrote
+almost at once.'</p>
+
+<p>Bessie shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>'I never got the letter,' she said; 'but we have missed several, I am
+afraid. We have been moving about so. Cannot you come to see us,
+Jacinth? Mother, and father too, would love to see you. We are living a
+little way out in the country at the village of St R&eacute;mi; we have got a
+dear little house there. Camilla and I came in for shopping this
+morning. Couldn't you come back with us to luncheon? We could bring you
+home this afternoon, and your maid would take back word to&mdash;to Lady
+Myrtle Goodacre.'</p>
+
+<p>'I am afraid I cannot,' said Jacinth, with some constraint in her voice.
+'I never go out anywhere without asking Lady Myrtle's leave.'</p>
+
+<p>'Of course not,' Camilla interposed. 'It would not do at all. You must
+do as you think best, Miss Mildmay, about getting permission to come to
+see us. I beg you to believe that, if you think it better not to ask
+it,' she spoke in a lowered tone, so as to be unheard by Clayton, 'we
+shall neither blame you nor misunderstand you. And now, perhaps, we had
+best not keep you waiting longer.'</p>
+
+<p>She held out her hand with the same quiet friendliness as appeared in
+her words; not perhaps <i>quite</i> without a touch of dignity almost
+approaching to <i>hauteur</i> in the pose of her pretty head as she gave the
+unasked assurance. Jacinth thanked her&mdash;what else could she do?&mdash;feeling
+curiously<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> small. There was something refreshing in the parting hug
+which Bessie bestowed upon her, ere they separated to follow their
+respective roads, but Jacinth was very silent all the way home.</p>
+
+<p>'Nice young ladies,' remarked Clayton. 'They are old friends of yours,
+Miss Jacinth, no doubt?'</p>
+
+<p>'The younger one was at school with my sister and me,' the girl replied,
+for Clayton's position as a very old and valued servant removed all
+flavour of freedom or presumingness from her observations. 'But I
+scarcely know the older one.'</p>
+
+<p>And for the rest of the way home she was unusually silent. Her mind was
+hard at work. Jacinth was passing through a crisis. Should she tell Lady
+Myrtle of the Harpers being in the near neighbourhood, or should she
+not? There was no obligation upon her to do so; their name had not been
+alluded to, even if Clayton should mention to her mistress the meeting
+with the young ladies, nothing would be easier than for Jacinth to pass
+it off with some light remark. And with the temptation to act this
+negatively unfriendly part awoke again the sort of jealous irritation at
+the whole position, which she believed herself to have quite overcome.</p>
+
+<p>'They perfectly haunt us,' she said to herself: 'why in the world should
+they have chosen Basse out of all the quantity of places there are? And
+to think'&mdash;this was a very ugly thought&mdash;'that but for mamma they
+wouldn't have been able to come abroad at all! Why should they spoil my
+little happy time with Lady Myrtle? And very likely no good would come
+to them of my telling her that they are here. She would be sure to
+refuse to see them.'</p>
+
+<p>But what if it were so? Did that affect her own present duty?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'It might annoy Lady Myrtle,' whispered an insidious voice; but had not
+Mrs Mildmay risked far more in her outspoken appeal, when still almost a
+stranger to her mother's friend? Would not the concealment of so simple
+a circumstance as her meeting the Harper girls be more than negative
+unfriendliness? would it not savour of want of candour and selfish
+calculation, such as in after years Jacinth would blush to remember? And
+again there sounded in her ears the old north-country woman's quaint
+words: 'It do seem to me, ma'am, as there's two kinds of honesty.'</p>
+
+<p>And Jacinth lifted her head and took her resolution.</p>
+
+<p>That afternoon there was to be no drive, as the old lady had caught a
+slight cold. And after luncheon Jacinth came and sat beside her in her
+favourite position, a low stool beside Lady Myrtle's chair, whence she
+could rest one elbow on her friend's knee and look up into her kind old
+face with the strangely familiar dark eyes, which were dearer to Robin
+Redbreast's owner than even the girl herself suspected.</p>
+
+<p>'I want to talk to you, dear Lady Myrtle,' she began. 'I want to tell
+you whom I met this morning,' and she related simply what had occurred.</p>
+
+<p>The old lady started a little as Jacinth spoke the names 'Camilla and
+Bessie Harper.' But then she answered quietly: 'It was right of you to
+tell me, dear,' she said. 'And you need not fear its annoying me. It is
+strange that they should have chosen Basse, but really it does not
+matter to us in the least. I am very glad the father is so much better.
+Now let us talk of something else, dear.'</p>
+
+<p>Now came the hard bit of Jacinth's task.</p>
+
+<p>'Dear Lady Myrtle, that isn't all; it's only the first part of what I
+have to say,' she began tremulously. 'I want to tell you <i>everything</i>,
+more even than I told mamma, for till<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> to-day I don't think I saw it
+quite so plainly. I have not been as good and true as you have thought
+me; nothing like Frances, or mamma, of course. And I feel now that you
+must know the worst of me. I shall never be happy till you do, even
+though it is horrible to own how mean I have been.'</p>
+
+<p>Lady Myrtle sat silent, too bewildered at first to speak. What had come
+to Jacinth, so quiet and self-controlled as she usually was? But she
+held the girl's hand and said gently, 'Tell me anything that is on your
+mind, dear child, though I think&mdash;I cannot help thinking&mdash;that you are
+exaggerating whatever it is that you think you have done wrong.'</p>
+
+<p>Then out it all came: the confession that many would hardly have
+understood&mdash;would have called morbid and fanciful, perhaps. But Lady
+Myrtle's perceptions were keen, her moral ideal very high, her sympathy
+great; and she did not make the mistake of crushing back the girl's
+confidence by making light of the feelings and even actions which
+Jacinth's own conscience told her had been wrong. One thing only she
+could not resist suggesting as a touch of comfort.</p>
+
+<p>'I think, latterly at any rate, dear, you <i>were</i> influenced by the fear
+of troubling me. You must allow that.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well, yes,' Jacinth agreed. 'But even then I should not have let even
+that make me uncandid and&mdash;and&mdash;almost plotting against them.'</p>
+
+<p>'No, no, dear; don't say such things of yourself. And now you may put it
+quite out of your mind for ever. You have been only too severe on
+yourself. But try to understand one thing, dear; <i>no</i> child could be to
+me what you are. Even&mdash;even if these young people had been in happy
+relations with me, as of course, but for past miseries, might have been
+the case, they would not have been <i>Jacinth</i>.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'No; I know it is for grandmother's sake you care for me so much more
+than I deserve,' said the girl, as she wiped away her tears, 'and even
+in that way I should not have been jealous. I did not know it was
+jealousy. I have never realised before that I could be jealous. But I
+cannot put it quite off my mind till you let me feel I have done
+something to make up. Lady Myrtle, dear Lady Myrtle, <i>may</i> I ask them to
+come to see you? I know they are longing to thank you. And oh, it would
+make me so happy!'</p>
+
+<p>'I will think it over, my dear,' was all Lady Myrtle would commit
+herself to. But even that was something.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;">
+<img src="images/i282.jpg" width="250" height="251" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;">
+<img src="images/i283.jpg" width="550" height="135" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2>
+
+<h3>UNCLE MARMY'S GATES.</h3>
+
+
+<p>When people really and thoroughly want to do right, and do not content
+themselves by <i>saying</i> they want to do so, I doubt if they are ever for
+long left in perplexity. Jacinth Mildmay had found it so. She had
+courageously dismissed all the specious arguments about 'troubling Lady
+Myrtle,' 'not going out of her way to dictate to her elders,' or
+'interfering in their affairs,' and had simply and honestly done what
+her innermost conscience dictated. And now, as to how she was to act
+about and towards the Harpers, she was content to wait.</p>
+
+<p>But Lady Myrtle did not keep her very long in suspense. She too had put
+aside every consideration but the one&mdash;what was her duty to the Harper
+family?&mdash;and she had found solid ground.</p>
+
+<p>'My dear Jacinth,' she said, the second morning after the unexpected
+meeting of the former school-fellows, 'I have decided that it would be
+unkind and ungracious to keep Captain and Mrs Harper and their children
+at arm's length, if&mdash;if it would be any satisfaction to them to see me,
+as they like to think I have been of help to them. So I intend to drive
+out to St R&eacute;mi to call upon them.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth looked up with a bright smile.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'I am so glad, Lady Myrtle,' she added impulsively; 'I do think you are
+so very good.'</p>
+
+<p>The old lady shook her head sadly.</p>
+
+<p>'My dear,' she said, 'the bitterest part of approaching the end of life
+is the realising how terribly, how overwhelmingly other than "good" one
+has been, and how little time remains in which to make amends. As
+regards one's self the recognising this is salutary; the more one feels
+it, the more thankful one should be. But it is about others: it is
+terrible to think of the harm one has done, the good one has left
+undone. If I had been more patient&mdash;more pitiful&mdash;more ready to make
+allowance for their strange weakness of character&mdash;with&mdash;with my poor
+brothers'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Her voice broke; the last words were almost inaudible: it was very
+wonderful for her to say so much. And a new ray of light seemed to flash
+on Jacinth's path as she listened. If such a thing were possible, if it
+could come to pass that Lady Myrtle should reinstate her nephew and his
+family in their natural place in her affection and regard, what
+happiness, what softening of past sorrows might such a change not bring
+to the sorely tried heart of her old friend. And a rush of unselfish
+enthusiasm came over the young girl.</p>
+
+<p>'Anything <i>I</i> can do to further it, I shall do,' she determined, and at
+that moment died away the last fast-withering remains of jealousy in her
+heart that the Harpers might in any way replace her in Lady Myrtle's
+regard.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed like an encouragement&mdash;an endorsement of this secretly
+registered vow&mdash;when Lady Myrtle spoke again.</p>
+
+<p>'Does it make you happy, dear child, to hear what I have resolved to do?
+I hope so; for your feelings, your self-blame<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> so honestly avowed,
+though I think you exaggerate the need of it, have helped to influence
+me. I know how bitter such self-blame may grow to be, and my darling
+Jacinth, I want to feel, when I come to die, that at least I have
+brought nothing but good into <i>your</i> young life.'</p>
+
+<p>'Dear Lady Myrtle,' said Jacinth, 'what you tell me makes me happier
+than I can express; far, far happier than I have deserved to be.'</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>They went the next day. Lady Myrtle's cold was better, and for the
+season, the weather was wonderfully mild. Jacinth had hesitated about
+accompanying her old friend, but Lady Myrtle insisted upon her doing so.</p>
+
+<p>'It will make it far easier and less constrained for me,' she said, 'and
+considering everything it seems to me only natural.'</p>
+
+<p>They had luncheon early, and set off immediately after. Less than half
+an hour's drive brought them to the picturesque little village, which
+was in fact scarcely more than a suburb of the town of Basse.</p>
+
+<p>'Villa Malmaison' was the direction, and soon the coachman drew up at a
+gate opening on to the road, for there was no drive up to the house. The
+footman was preparing to enter, but when he came round for his
+instructions, Lady Myrtle stopped him.</p>
+
+<p>'No,' she said, 'you can wait here. We will get out at once.&mdash;I have a
+fancy,' she said to Jacinth, 'for going straight up to the house without
+being announced.'</p>
+
+<p>It was a small and simple place; a balcony ran round the ground floor,
+and there in a long chair&mdash;a deck chair&mdash;a gentleman was half lying,
+half sitting, for the day was mild, and the house had a south exposure.
+At the sound<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> of their slow footsteps&mdash;for Lady Myrtle was feebler than
+of yore&mdash;he looked up, then rose courteously, and came forward to meet
+them. He was a tall thin man with gray hair, and with evident traces of
+delicate health and suffering upon him, and he walked lame. But his
+smile was both bright and sweet; his keen dark eyes not unlike Lady
+Myrtle's own.</p>
+
+<p>'Can I'&mdash;&mdash;he began, for the first instant's glance revealed to him that
+the new-comers were English, but a sort of exclamation from Lady Myrtle
+arrested him.</p>
+
+<p>'Jacinth,' she had just whispered, and for a second she leant so heavily
+on the girl's arm that Jacinth feared she was going to faint, 'it must
+be he&mdash;my nephew&mdash;he is so, so <i>wonderfully</i> like my father.'</p>
+
+<p>And before Jacinth could reply, the old lady straightened herself again,
+and drawing her arm away from her young guide, seemed to hurry forward
+with a little cry.</p>
+
+<p>'Are you Reginald?' she said. 'My nephew? You must be. Oh Reginald, I am
+your old Aunt Myrtle.'</p>
+
+<p>And then&mdash;all the plans and formalities were set at naught. The two tall
+figures enfolded each other in an embrace like that of an aged mother
+and a long absent son.</p>
+
+<p>'Aunt Myrtle, my dear aunt!' Jacinth heard the kind, cheery voice
+exclaim, though in accents broken by sudden emotion. 'You who have been
+so good to us, to whom I owe my life. But this&mdash;this coming yourself is
+the kindest of all.'</p>
+
+<p>Then Jacinth turned and fled&mdash;fled down a path leading somewhere or
+nowhere, till she found herself at the other side of the house, and ran
+full tilt against Bessie, who was coming out to see what was happening.
+For sounds carried<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> far in the clear frosty air, and visitors were an
+event at the little St R&eacute;mi villa.</p>
+
+<p>'Jacinth,' she exclaimed, catching hold of the flying girl, 'what is
+it?'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh Bessie, it's everything&mdash;everything beautiful and wonderful. But we
+mustn't interrupt them. Take me into the house and call Camilla and your
+mother, and I'll explain it all.'</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>That was the beginning, but by no means the end. Far from it indeed. For
+even if Jacinth lives to be a very old woman, I think she will always
+look back upon the next few weeks at Basse&mdash;the weeks before the Harpers
+returned to England, which they did before the doctors considered it
+quite safe for Lady Myrtle to face the northern spring&mdash;as among the
+happiest she ever knew. There were several reasons for this. There was
+the great and unselfish pleasure of seeing the quiet restful content on
+her dear old friend's face, and knowing that in some measure she had
+been the means of bringing it there; there was the delight of writing
+home with the news of the happy state of things that had come about, and
+receiving her full meed of sympathy and appreciation from her father and
+mother and faithful little Frances; and lastly, there was the, to
+Jacinth, really new pleasure of thoroughly congenial companionship of
+her own age. For at school her habit of reserve and self-dependence had
+come in the way of her making friends, and she was so accustomed to
+taking the lead and being the elder, that she was slow to enter into the
+give and take on more or less equal ground that is an essential
+condition of pleasant and profitable intercourse between the young.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And her ideal friend&mdash;much as she learned to love and esteem hearty
+generous Bessie and gentle little Margaret&mdash;Jacinth's friend of friends
+came to be Camilla, whose two or three years' seniority seemed only to
+bring them closer, for Jacinth was in many ways 'old for her age.'</p>
+
+<p>Yes, it was a happy time, even though now and then some twinges of
+self-reproach made Jacinth feel how little she had at one time merited
+the loving confidence with which her new friends treated her.</p>
+
+<p>'But that you must bear, my dear,' said Lady Myrtle, when on one or two
+occasions this feeling grew so acute that she had to express it to some
+one. 'Take it as your punishment if you think you deserve it. For it
+would be cruel to distress these candid, unselfish girls by confessions
+of ill-will or prejudice which no longer exist. For my sake, dear
+Jacinth, for my sake too, try now to "let the dead past bury its dead."'</p>
+
+<p>And the girl did so.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>Some happy years followed this good beginning. Years not untouched by
+trouble and trials, but with an undercurrent of good. Barmettle never
+became a congenial home, but Jacinth as she grew older lost her extreme
+dislike to it, in the happiness of being all together, and knowing that
+not only was her father satisfied with his work, but that many
+opportunities for helping others were open to herself and Frances, as
+well as to their active unselfish mother.</p>
+
+<p>And bright holidays with Lady Myrtle, when old Robin Redbreast stretched
+his wings in some wonderful way so as to take in his kind owner's
+grand-nephews and nieces as well as the Mildmay party, went far to
+reconcile Jacinth<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> and Frances to the gloom and chill of their home in
+the north.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps Christmas was the most trying time. For a merry family party
+would have been something to look forward to at that season. But the
+dear old lady, alas! had spent her last Christmas in England that
+year&mdash;that first year at Thetford&mdash;when Jacinth and Frances and Eugene
+were her guests. For her health grew more and more fragile, and every
+season her time at Robin Redbreast had to be cut shorter and shorter,
+till at length barely six months of the twelve could be spent by her in
+England.</p>
+
+<p>Most winters Jacinth spent some part of with her at Basse, and sometimes
+Camilla or Bessie replaced her. One year the whole Mildmay family joined
+her for two months. So there were many pleasant mitigations of her
+enforced banishment, though it gradually became impossible for those who
+had learned to love her so dearly to blind themselves to the fact that
+the gentle old woman was not far from the end of her chequered and at
+one time lonely life.</p>
+
+<p>And one day in the early spring-time, when the sunshine was already warm
+and the sky already deeply blue in the genial south, when the snowdrops
+were raising their pretty timid heads in the garden at Robin Redbreast,
+and the birds were beginning to hope that the winter was over and gone,
+Lady Myrtle died. There was no one with her at the time. Captain Harper
+had left her but the week before, and Jacinth Mildmay was to have joined
+her a few days later.</p>
+
+<p>'If I could but have been with her, mamma,' said the girl among her
+tears.</p>
+
+<p>But perhaps it was better not. To some natures the sorrow of others is
+very hard to see, and I think Lady Myrtle was one of those. Jacinth was
+nineteen at the time<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> of her old friend's death. Two years of Colonel
+Mildmay's time at Barmettle had yet to expire.</p>
+
+<p>'We shall miss our summers at Robin Redbreast sadly, mamma, shall we
+not?' she said one day. 'What is to be done about it? Is it to be sold,
+or are the Harpers to have it? I hope so. Does papa know?'</p>
+
+<p>'He has only heard about it recently,' said her mother. 'He and Captain
+Harper are Lady Myrtle's executors, but there has been a good deal of
+trouble and delay, for owing to her death having taken place abroad,
+some difficulties occurred about proving the will. But now I believe all
+is right, and your father is going to tell you about it.'</p>
+
+<p>At that moment the door opened and Colonel Mildmay came in. He glanced
+at his wife with a half-inquiry in his eyes when he saw that she and his
+daughter were talking seriously.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' replied Mrs Mildmay to his unspoken question, 'I was just saying
+to Jacinth that you were going to explain to her about our dear old
+friend's disposal of things.'</p>
+
+<p>'I happened to ask mamma if the Harpers were going to live at Robin
+Redbreast,' said Jacinth. 'Somehow I hadn't thought about it before.'</p>
+
+<p>'It must have been a "brain wave,"' said her father, 'for only this
+morning I decided to have a talk with you about it.'</p>
+
+<p>Jacinth looked up with a slight feeling of apprehension. Colonel
+Mildmay's tone was very grave. But she had no reason for misgiving: she
+knew she had never&mdash;since her eyes had been awakened to the prejudice
+and jealousy she was in danger of yielding to&mdash;never felt or expressed
+anything<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> but sincere esteem and affection for Lady Myrtle's relations.</p>
+
+<p>'I don't want to hear anything in particular, papa,' she said gently,
+'but just as you like, of course. It was only,' and her voice faltered a
+little, 'the associations with Robin Redbreast. We have been so happy
+there: I shouldn't like strangers to have it.'</p>
+
+<p>'Strangers are not going to have it,' Colonel Mildmay replied. 'But it
+is not left to the Harpers. They did not wish it. They have no special
+liking for that neighbourhood, and it suits them far better to make
+their headquarters farther south. But I know you will be glad to hear,
+Jacinth, that their aunt has left them a most fair and equitable
+proportion of the property at her disposal. They have no cause for
+future anxiety at all. Captain Harper is more than satisfied; he had
+expected nothing of the kind, and I perfectly believe that if, as he
+says, "just a little token of her restored goodwill" had been all that
+was to come to them, he would have been content. I never met with more
+truly unworldly and unselfish people.'</p>
+
+<p>He stopped for a moment.</p>
+
+<p>'I am so glad, so very glad,' said Jacinth.</p>
+
+<p>'And the Elvedons too are very grateful,' continued her father, 'for
+besides what they knew was to be theirs, she has left them her town
+house&mdash;a much better one than they have had hitherto. Then her favourite
+charities have no reason to complain; she has forgotten nothing and no
+one'&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Again he hesitated, and for some undefined reason Jacinth's heart began
+to beat faster.</p>
+
+<p>'And Robin Redbreast, my dear child; Robin Redbreast is&mdash;is to be
+yours.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Oh, papa,' exclaimed the girl with a curious choking sensation. 'Oh,
+papa; is it right? Do you and mamma think it is?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, dear. I think it is right. It is depriving no one of anything they
+had a claim upon. For Lady Myrtle had considerable savings: some part of
+those she surely had every right to leave as her own feelings prompted.
+Some of the land is to be sold; just enough kept to make the little
+place complete of its kind and not too expensive to manage. Enough money
+will be yours&mdash;or ours&mdash;Lady Myrtle wished it to be considered our home
+in the meantime, anyway, and she has managed all so that, if or when you
+marry, a certain separation of income can be easily made&mdash;for real
+comfort without extravagance or display. And some of her private
+charities she has left in your hands, trusting to your good judgment and
+unselfishness. All has been excellently thought over and wisely
+arranged.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, papa; oh, mamma!' was still all that Jacinth could say. But after a
+moment or two she asked the question which she had so much at heart,
+'Shall we all go to live there?'</p>
+
+<p>'Part of the year certainly. And when my time here is out&mdash;you will be
+of age by then, Jass&mdash;perhaps I may feel that the day for taking it
+easier has come, and I may get some less onerous post nearer Thetford.
+But there is time enough for these details. Now run and tell Francie. I
+know you are longing to do so.'</p>
+
+<p>So the curious prevision of the future which had come over them all at
+'Uncle Marmy's gates' was actually fulfilled. And kind Uncle Marmy
+himself came home before very long to find it so.</p>
+
+<p>There is talk of his leaving off soldiering&mdash;he has seen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> some active
+service in the East of late&mdash;and taking up his abode in his own home at
+Stannesley. For he has been economical to some purpose. And Jacinth, who
+still builds castles in the air in her quiet way, has one under
+construction on the completed roof of which a flag <i>may</i> fly some day.
+It is that the very nicest and most entirely delightful wife Marmaduke
+Denison could possibly find, were he to search all the four quarters of
+the globe, would be Camilla Harper.</p>
+
+<h4>THE END.</h4>
+
+<p class="center">
+Edinburgh:<br />
+Printed by W. &amp; R. Chambers, Limited.<br />
+</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Robin Redbreast, by Mary Louisa Molesworth
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+</body>
+</html>
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@@ -0,0 +1,9360 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Robin Redbreast, by Mary Louisa Molesworth
+
+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: Robin Redbreast
+       A Story for Girls
+
+Author: Mary Louisa Molesworth
+
+Illustrator: Robert Barnes
+
+Release Date: July 18, 2008 [EBook #26085]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROBIN REDBREAST ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Chris Curnow, Lindy Walsh, Josephine Paolucci
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+https://www.pgdp.net.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: The old lady tapped her stick impatiently on the hard
+gravel.
+
+PAGE 36.]
+
+
+
+
+ROBIN REDBREAST
+
+A STORY FOR GIRLS
+
+BY
+
+MRS MOLESWORTH
+
+AUTHOR OF 'CARROTS;' 'THE PALACE IN THE GARDEN;' 'A CHARGE FULFILLED;'
+'IMOGEN;' 'THE BEWITCHED LAMP,' etc.
+
+WITH SIX ILLUSTRATIONS BY ROBERT BARNES
+
+W. & R. CHAMBERS, LIMITED
+LONDON AND EDINBURGH
+
+
+    A good old country lodge, half hid with blooms
+    Of honeyed green, and quaint with straggling rooms.
+
+                                  LEIGH HUNT.
+
+    Give me simplicity, that I may know Thy ways,
+    Know them and practise them.
+
+                                  GEORGE HERBERT.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+CHAPTER                                       PAGE
+
+I. THE HOUSE IN THE LANE                         7
+
+II. THE OLD LADY                                23
+
+III. TWO JACINTHS                               39
+
+IV. A LETTER AND A DISCUSSION                   54
+
+V. AN OLD STORY                                 69
+
+VI. BESSIE'S MISGIVINGS                         84
+
+VII. AN INVITATION                              99
+
+VIII. DELICATE GROUND                          116
+
+IX. THE INDIAN MAIL                            135
+
+X. THE HARPERS' HOME                           150
+
+XI. GREAT NEWS                                 164
+
+XII. '"CAMILLA" AND "MARGARET," YES'           181
+
+XIII. MAMMA                                    192
+
+XIV. A COURAGEOUS PLEADER                      206
+
+XV. LADY MYRTLE'S INTENTIONS                   224
+
+XVI. A BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT                   239
+
+XVII. TWO DEGREES OF HONESTY                   255
+
+XVIII. I WILL THINK IT OVER                    270
+
+XIX. UNCLE MARMY'S GATES                       281
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
+
+
+THE OLD LADY TAPPED HER STICK IMPATIENTLY ON THE
+HARD GRAVEL                                          _Frontispiece_
+
+AND THEN FRANCES RELATED THE WHOLE, MARGARET LISTENING
+INTENTLY TILL ALMOST THE END                               Page 75
+
+JACINTH'S BROWS CONTRACTED, AND THE LINES OF HER
+DELICATE FACE HARDENED, BUT SHE SAID NOTHING                   141
+
+JACINTH SAT DOWN ON A STOOL AT LADY MYRTLE'S FEET
+AND LOOKED UP IN HER FACE                                      177
+
+'IT IS SO GOOD OF YOU, MEETING ME LIKE THIS,' THE
+YOUNGER WOMAN WHISPERED                                        207
+
+'AH WELL!' SAID LADY MYRTLE, 'ANOTHER DREAM VANISHED!'         243
+
+
+
+
+ROBIN REDBREAST.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE HOUSE IN THE LANE.
+
+
+It stood not very far from the corner--the corner where the lane turned
+off from the high-road. And it suited its name, or its name suited it.
+It was such a pretty, cosy-looking house, much larger really than it
+seemed at the first glance, for it spread out wonderfully at the back.
+
+It was red too--the out-jutting front, where the deep porch was, looking
+specially red, in contrast with the wings, which were entirely covered
+with ivy, while this centre was kept clear of any creepers. And high up,
+almost in the roof, two curious round windows, which caught and
+reflected the sunset glow--for the front was due west--over the top of
+the wall, itself so ivy grown that it seemed more like a hedge, might
+easily have been taken as representing two bright, watchful eyes. For
+these windows were, or always looked as if they were, spotlessly clean
+and shining.
+
+'What a quaint name! how uncommon and picturesque!' people used to say
+the first time they saw the house and heard what it was called. I don't
+know if it will spoil the prettiness and the quaintness if I reveal its
+real origin. Not so _very_ long ago, the old house was a queer, rambling
+inn, and its sign was the redbreasted bird himself; somewhere up in the
+attics, the ancient board that used to swing and creak of a windy night,
+was still hidden--it may perhaps be there to this day! And somebody (it
+does not matter who, for it was not any somebody that has to do with
+this story) took a fancy to the house--fast growing dilapidated, and in
+danger of sinking from a respectable old inn into a very undesirable
+public-house, for the coaches had left off running, and the old traffic
+was all at an end--and bought it just in time to save it from such
+degradation.
+
+This somebody repaired and restored it to a certain extent, and then
+sold it again. The new owner enlarged and improved it, and built the
+high wall which now looked so venerable; for already this was many, many
+years ago. The present owner of Robin Redbreast was the daughter of this
+gentleman--or nobleman rather--and she had lived in it ever since the
+death of her husband, fully twenty years ago.
+
+She was an old woman now. Her name was Lady Myrtle Goodacre. The
+Goodacres, her husband's family, belonged to a distant county, and when
+_her_ Mr Goodacre died, her connection with his part of the country
+seemed to cease, for she had no children, and her thoughts turned to the
+neighbourhood of her own old home, and the pretty quaint house not very
+far from it, which had been left her by her father, the late earl. And
+thither she came. But she was not exactly a sociable old lady, and few
+of the Thetford people knew her. So that there grew to be a slight
+flavour of mystery about Robin Redbreast.
+
+The lane was about three-quarters of a mile from the little town of
+Thetford. Not that it was a little town in its own estimation; like
+many small things, it thought itself decidedly important. It was a
+pleasant, healthy place, and of late years it had wakened up a good deal
+in some directions, of which education was one, so that several families
+with boys and girls in want of schooling came and settled there. For the
+grammar-school was now prospering under an excellent and energetic
+head-master, and there was talk of a high-school for girls.
+
+But this latter institution was still in the clouds or the air, and so
+far, the girls of Thetford families had to content themselves with the
+teaching to be obtained at two steady-going, somewhat old-fashioned
+private schools, of which the respective heads were, oddly enough, the
+Misses Scarlett and the Misses Green. There were three Misses Scarlett
+and two Misses Green (I fear they were more often described as 'The Miss
+Scarletts' and 'The Miss Greens'), and all five were ladies of most
+estimable character.
+
+There was no rivalry between the two schools. Each had and held its own
+place and line. Ivy Lodge and Brook Bank were perfectly distinct, so
+distinct that neither trod on the other's toes. The former, that
+presided over by the Scarlett sisters, was recognisedly for the
+daughters of the Thetford upper ten thousand; Brook Bank existed for the
+little maidens belonging to the shopkeepers and small farmers of and
+near the town. Nowadays a high-school would ignore such distinctions and
+absorb them all--whether for better or worse is a matter of opinion. But
+as things were, I don't think any harm came from the division of
+classes; thanks in great measure, very probably, to the good sense and
+feeling of the heads of the two schools. On the rare occasions on which
+the Misses Scarlett met the Misses Green--at great parish entertainments
+or fancy fairs--the latter gave precedence to the former with ready and
+smiling deference, sure to be graciously acknowledged by old
+white-haired Miss Scarlett with a kindly hand-shake or 'Many thanks,
+Miss Green;' the younger sisters following suit. For the Scarletts were
+well-born, much better born, indeed, than some of their pupils, and the
+Greens had got themselves educated with difficulty, and in their present
+position were higher on the social ladder than any of their progenitors
+had ever been--higher socially and more successful practically than they
+themselves had in past days dared to hope to be. Financially speaking,
+it was well known in Thetford that the Greens had made a much better
+thing of their school than the Scarletts. The Scarletts were inclined to
+be too liberal and too generous. Their boarders were in many instances
+the children of former friends or connections, who found it convenient
+to trade upon such ties when the questions and difficulties of education
+arose, and to suggest that _their_ daughters might be taken on a
+different footing.
+
+In a side-street running out of the market-place stood a few well-built,
+old, red-brick houses, which were considered among the 'best' residences
+in Thetford. No two of them were exactly alike: some were nearly twice
+as large as the others; one was high and narrow, its neighbour short and
+broad. They were only alike in this, that they all opened straight on to
+the wide pavement, and had walled-in, sunny gardens at the back.
+
+In one of the smaller of these houses--a prim, thin-looking house, too
+tall for its breadth--lived a maiden lady, well known by some of the
+Thetford folk, not indeed _unknown_ to any, for she had made her home in
+the town for many years. Her name was Miss Mildmay, or to be quite
+correct, Miss Alison Mildmay. For the actual Miss Mildmay was her
+niece, a very young girl whom you will hear more about presently.
+
+Miss Alison Mildmay was a very old friend of the Misses Scarlett.
+
+At Number 9 Market Square Place--that was the name of the short row of
+houses I have described--some six months or so before the date at which
+I think this story may really be said to begin, there had been an
+arrival one evening.
+
+It was late October: the days were drawing in; it was almost dark when
+the fly from the two-miles-off railway station--I should have explained
+that there was no station at Thetford; the inhabitants had petitioned
+against the railway coming near them, and now their children had to
+suffer the inconvenience of this shortsightedness as best they
+might--drew up at Miss Mildmay's door, and out of it stepped four
+people--three children, and a young man scarcely more than a boy. There
+were two girls, looking about twelve and fourteen, a little fellow of
+six or seven, and the young man.
+
+They were all in mourning, and they were all very silent, though in the
+momentary delay before the door was opened, the eldest member of the
+party found time to whisper to the girls a word or two of encouragement.
+
+'Try to be cheery, darlings,' he said. 'There's nothing to be afraid of,
+you know.'
+
+'I'm not afraid, Uncle Marmy,' replied the elder; 'I'm only _awfully_
+dull. If--oh, if Francie and I were old enough for you to be going to
+take us out to papa and mamma. Oh, if only'----
+
+'Hush,' whispered Uncle Marmy. He looked young to be an uncle, younger
+still to be, as he was, a full-fledged lieutenant in the 200th. 'Hush,
+dear,' as the door opened.
+
+Miss Mildmay was at home--it would have been strange had she not been
+so, considering that she had known for quite a week the exact day and
+hour at which her guests were expected. But it would have seemed less
+strange and more natural had she been there in the hall, hurrying
+forward to meet them, instead of waiting, to all appearance calmly
+enough, in the long bare drawing-room, into which the parlour-maid at
+once ushered them. She was a small woman, neat and pleasing in
+appearance, and her manner was sufficiently cordial as she came forward;
+though the reverse of demonstrative, it was dry rather than cold.
+
+'You are very punctual,' she said as she kissed the children and shook
+hands with their young escort, saying as she did so, 'Mr Denison, I
+presume?'
+
+'Yes,' he replied; adding in a cheerful tone, 'it is a case of
+introducing ourselves all round. You have never seen my--"our" I may
+say--nieces and nephew before?'
+
+'No,' said Miss Mildmay. 'I am a very, an exceedingly busy person, and I
+rarely leave home, and never have visitors. So, though my brother's
+children have been so many years in England, they might have been as
+many more without our meeting, but for--these unforeseen circumstances.'
+
+It seemed as if some less vague expression had been on her lips, but
+glancing round, she had caught sight of a tremulous flutter amidst the
+black garments of the two girls seated beside her--the elder stretching
+out her hand to clasp her sister's. Miss Alison Mildmay dreaded 'scenes'
+of all things; possibly, too, she felt conscious that her words sounded
+harsh. For she added quickly, 'Of course, I don't count these young
+folk as visitors. I hope they will very soon feel quite at home here,
+and no doubt we shall fall into each other's ways nicely.'
+
+The little speech cost her an effort; but she was rewarded for it.
+Marmaduke Denison could not restrain an audible sigh of relief.
+
+'Thank you,' he said, with what sounded almost exaggerated fervour,
+'thank you so much. It is--it has been very good of you to--to arrange
+as you have done. I assure you my sister and Mildmay appreciate it
+thoroughly.'
+
+A shade of stiffness returned again to her manner.
+
+'I quite understand my brother,' she said coldly. And though Uncle Marmy
+was too deeply in earnest to mind the snub, he wished he had answered
+less effusively.
+
+'Do you think Eugene is like his father?' he said quietly, drawing
+forward the little fellow, who had been standing somewhat in the
+background.
+
+The aunt's face softened again. And truly the boy was a pleasant object
+for her eyes to rest upon. He was very fair as to hair and complexion,
+though his eyes were dark and wistful; he was an extremely pretty child.
+
+'Yes,' she said more cordially than she had yet spoken. 'He is like
+Frank, but he has his mother's eyes.'
+
+Again the feeling of relief stole over the young man.
+
+'She can't be so cold as she seems,' he reflected. 'I fancy I could get
+on with her, and I daresay Francie and Eugene will. It is Jacinth I am
+anxious about.' And he glanced at the elder girl, as the thought passed
+through his mind. So far neither she nor her sister had spoken. Jacinth
+sat there with a grave, almost expressionless face, her lips compressed
+in a way which her uncle knew well. And suddenly he became aware of a
+curious thing. It almost made him smile. This was an undoubted
+resemblance between his elder niece and her aunt!
+
+'I wonder how that will work,' he thought. 'I wonder if it is only
+superficial or if it goes deeper? If so, I hope poor Jass will have a
+wider life than has evidently fallen to the lot of this good lady.' And
+then, as it struck him that they were all sitting silent in most
+constrained discomfort, he thrust aside his reflections and forced his
+attention to return to the present.
+
+'Perhaps I had better be looking up my quarters at the inn,' he said,
+rising. 'I found I could get up to town practically almost as early by
+the morning's express as by a night train. So if you will allow me, Miss
+Mildmay, I will look in first thing to-morrow for another glimpse of
+these little people.'
+
+'But you will return to dine--at least not to dine, but--well, call it
+high tea or supper, whichever you like,' said his hostess, cordially.
+'Unless, of course, you prefer'----
+
+Marmaduke stood irresolute. He was desperately afraid of annoying Miss
+Mildmay.
+
+'Oh no, of course not,' he began, 'but I'm'----
+
+A sudden impulse seized Jacinth. She felt as if she must do
+something--if she sat still a moment longer she would burst into tears.
+She sprang to her feet and caught her uncle's arm. 'Oh, _do_ come back,
+Marmy,' she said. 'You don't know.--Aunt Alison, do say he must.'
+
+'Of course he must,' said Miss Mildmay. 'I am not going out this evening
+as I usually do. I have given myself a holiday in honour of your
+arrival, so pray come back as soon as you have ordered your room at the
+_Swan_, Mr Denison,' And Marmaduke smilingly consented.
+
+This little incident seemed to have thawed them all.
+
+'I will show you your rooms now,' said Miss Mildmay, when, the young man
+had gone. 'You two girls are to be together of course, and Eugene's
+little room is on the next floor.'
+
+Eugene, who was following with his sister Frances, whose hand he held,
+here squeezed it while he looked up in her face with anxiety.
+
+'Never mind,' she whispered. 'It's quite a little house compared to
+granny's, Eugene. You can't be far away. Very likely you'll be just
+overhead, and so if you want us in the night you can knock on the
+floor.'
+
+This seemed to satisfy the child, and the sight of his room, which
+though small was bright and cheerful, went still further to reassure
+him.
+
+'It will be nice to have a room of my own,' he said bravely. 'At
+granny's I slept in the night nursery with nurse.'
+
+'But you're a big boy now, you know,' said Jacinth, hastily, as if
+afraid of her aunt thinking him babyish.
+
+'Yes, of course,' agreed Miss Mildmay. 'I cannot promise you that you
+will find everything here the same as at your poor grandmother's. You
+always called her your grandmother, I suppose,' she went on, turning to
+Jacinth, 'though she was not really any blood relation.'
+
+The girl's lip quivered, but she controlled herself. 'We--we never
+thought about that,' she said. 'And then, of course, she was Uncle
+Manny's own mother, and we are so _very_ fond of him.'
+
+'Ah! he seems a nice young fellow, but so very young, and Mrs Denison
+was quite elderly. But she was more than middle-aged when she married,
+of course,' said Miss Mildmay.
+
+There was a slight, almost indescribable tone of condescension or
+disparagement in her voice, the reason of which I will explain. Both the
+girls were conscious of it, but it affected them in different ways.
+
+'Ye--es,' began Jacinth, hesitatingly, 'I know'----
+
+But Frances here broke in eagerly.
+
+'You are not explaining it properly to Aunt Alison, Jacinth. You know
+you're not. It wasn't only or principally for Uncle Marmy's sake that we
+loved dear granny. She was as sweet and good to us as she could be, and
+I'd have loved her awfully if she hadn't been--been any relation--at
+all;' but here the little girl ignominiously burst into tears.
+
+Miss Mildmay the elder glanced at her with scant sympathy.
+
+'I suppose she is over-tired, poor child,' she said to Jacinth. 'I will
+leave you to take off your things. Come down as soon as you can; you
+will feel better when you have had something to eat;' and she turned to
+go. They were standing in the girls' own room. But at the door she
+paused a moment. 'Shall I send up Phebe?' she said. 'That is the young
+girl I have engaged to wait upon you three. No, perhaps,' as her eyes
+fell on the still weeping Frances, 'it would be better to wait a little.
+Just take off your outdoor things. The trunks will be brought up while
+we are at tea, and then Phebe can begin to unpack.'
+
+She was scarcely out of hearing when Jacinth turned upon her sister.
+'I'm ashamed of you, Frances,' she said. 'Crying and sobbing like that,
+when you can see Aunt Alison isn't the sort of person to have any
+patience with silliness! Such a beginning to have made! And it isn't as
+if it was really about--about poor granny.' Here it must be owned her
+voice faltered. 'It was just that you were vexed with me.'
+
+'Well, and if I was,' replied Frances, drying her eyes and swallowing
+down her sobs. 'I don't like you to speak coldly of granny, for you did
+love her in your heart, I know, dearly. Aunt Alison looks down upon her,
+just because she wasn't quite--no, she _was_ quite a lady--but because
+she wasn't at all grand. And there's some excuse for her, because she
+didn't know her. But for us it would be _too_ horrid, when she was so
+good to us, even all those years she was so suffering and feeble. And
+then, for Uncle Manny's sake too.'
+
+'There now,' said Jacinth, not sorry to turn aside the reproach which
+conscience told her she had merited. 'You are saying the very thing you
+blamed me for--but truly, Francie, I didn't mean anything not nice to
+dear granny. I felt that Aunt Alison couldn't _understand_ what she was;
+and--and--it was no use seeming to take up the cudgels for our other
+relations the moment we came.'
+
+There was something in this, and no doubt a reluctance to discuss their
+grandmother with a stranger, and a prejudiced stranger, had mingled with
+Jacinth's desire to propitiate her aunt. So the sisters kissed and made
+friends, and when a few minutes afterwards they went down-stairs, and Mr
+Denison made his appearance again, the traces of tears had all but
+vanished from Frances's fair face.
+
+The two girls had been five years in England, little Eugene three; and
+during all these years, owing to exceptional circumstances and unlucky
+coincidences, they had never seen their parents. Nor was there any
+prospect of their doing so for three or four years to come. All this
+time had been spent under the care of their mother's step-mother, Mrs
+Denison, whose recent death had thrown them again, in a sense, on the
+world, and the best Colonel Mildmay could arrange for them was the
+somewhat unwilling guardianship of his elder sister Alison. She was an
+honourable and well-meaning woman, who had found her own sphere in
+active good works among the poor of Thetford. But she did not understand
+or care for children, and the charge of her nieces and nephew she only
+accepted as a duty.
+
+'I will do my best,' she wrote to the parents in India, 'but I dare not
+promise that it will be all you could wish. Still there are undoubtedly
+advantages here, in the way of schools, and the place is healthy. I will
+give what time I can to the children, but I cannot give up all my
+present responsibilities and occupations. You would not expect it. I
+fear the children may find my rules strict, for--owing to Mrs Denison's
+long ill-health and peculiarly gentle character--I think it scarcely to
+be expected that they are not somewhat spoilt.'
+
+She was right. It scarcely _was_ to be expected. It was marvellous that
+the girls and their little brother were not more 'spoilt.' Mrs Denison
+adored them, and could see no fault in them. Nor was she in any sense a
+clever or strong-minded woman. Of inferior birth to her late
+husband--the daughter of merely the village doctor--she had married him
+when she was nearly forty, making the kindest of stepmothers to his only
+child, now Mrs Mildmay; loving her in no sense less devotedly than she
+loved her own son, Marmaduke, the child of Mr Denison's old age--the
+Uncle Marmy, who was more like an elder brother than an uncle to the
+little trio sent home to his mother's care.
+
+But Mrs Denison was so essentially _good_, so single-minded and
+truthful, that her influence, even her too great unselfishness for their
+sake, had not radically injured her grandchildren. Her death had been
+preceded by a slow and gradual decline--none of those about her
+suspected the extent of the sufferings she hid so resolutely under a
+calm and cheerful exterior--and the end came gently with no bitterness
+or shock. Even to Marmaduke, though he loved her devotedly, she had
+seemed more like a grandmother than a mother, and her gradual enforced
+withdrawal from the family life had prepared him and the girls for what
+had to be.
+
+Perhaps the full realisation of their loss only came home to them, when
+the question of where they were all to go was decided by a letter from
+Colonel Mildmay, telling of his arrangement with his sister, and by
+Marmaduke's receiving orders to start almost at once for India.
+
+'I'm glad they didn't come before,' he said. 'If only I could take you
+all out with me;' for his regiment was that of his brother-in-law.
+
+'Yes indeed--if only!' said Jacinth, as she said again that first
+evening at Thetford.
+
+Stannesley, the Denisons' old home, was to be let. Though not a very
+large place, it was expensive to keep up, and Marmaduke was somewhat
+short of ready money, and not as yet ambitious of the quiet life of a
+country squire. His father had been easy-going, his mother no specially
+endowed woman of business; things had suffered, and rents had gone down.
+It would need some years' economy before the young man could retire to
+live in the old liberal way. But he did not mind; the world was before
+him, and he loved his profession.
+
+That first evening in Market Square Place passed on the whole more
+cheerfully than might have been expected. Miss Mildmay was practically
+kind--more self-denying than her guests realised, for out of
+consideration for them, she had renounced attendance that evening at a
+committee meeting of which she was the ruling spirit, and those who
+knew her well would have seen that to sit for two or three hours 'with
+her hands before her,' in her drawing-room, made her feel sadly like a
+fish out of water.
+
+But the four new-comers were too preoccupied to observe her
+restlessness; the younger ones were tired too, and anxious for them to
+feel as cheerful as possible the next day, their uncle left early,
+advising Miss Mildmay to send them all off to bed.
+
+'I am not leaving till twelve o'clock after all,' he said, 'so, if you
+have no objection I'll call in about half-past ten, and take these three
+young people a walk. I'd like to see something of Thetford: its looks so
+pretty.'
+
+It was something to look forward to--another glimpse of the dear kind
+boyish face. And with the thought of the next morning's walk together,
+in their mind, the girls went to bed, and got up in good time for their
+aunt's early breakfast, trying to look and feel as cheerful as they
+could.
+
+Marmaduke was more than punctual. It was barely ten o'clock when he rang
+at the door and came in briskly, saying it was such a lovely day he had
+thought it a pity to lose any of it.
+
+It could not be anything but a sad walk, though they all tried to
+pretend it was not, and Uncle Marmy talked very fast and made all sorts
+of jokes, which Jacinth and Frances saw through, though they made Eugene
+laugh.
+
+'Thetford's a very pretty place, really,' said Jacinth. 'There are
+lovely walks on every side, I should think. Do you suppose we shall go
+walks with the girls at our school, Uncle Marmy, or by ourselves with
+Phebe?'
+
+'By yourselves, I should think. You are only to be at school till one
+o'clock,' he replied.
+
+'Oh, that will be much nicer,' said both the girls; 'we shall explore
+the neighbourhood. Oh what a pretty lane!' for they were just then
+passing Robin Redbreast corner. 'Do let us go down it a little way,
+uncle,' added Frances, 'I see what looks like a gate into a garden.'
+
+And a moment or two later, the four stood, breathless with admiration,
+in front of the great gates in the high ivy-covered wall I have
+described.
+
+The clear spring sunshine was falling brightly on the quaint old house;
+what of the garden could be seen was exquisitely neat and trim; Robin
+Redbreast was looking charming.
+
+'What a _delicious_ old house!' said Jacinth. 'I wonder who lives here?'
+and she gave a little sigh. 'Now, Uncle Marmy, wouldn't it be perfectly
+lovely if papa's time was out, and he and mamma had come home and we
+were all going to live here--just _fancy_!'
+
+'It's awfully pretty,' said Marmaduke, 'but when your father's time's up
+I want you all to come back to live at Stannesley with me.'
+
+Jacinth laughed.
+
+'No, that wouldn't do,' she said. 'You'd be getting married. No, it
+would be much the nicest for us to live here and you at Stannesley, and
+for us to pay each other lovely visits. Of course we'd always be
+together at Christmas and times like that. And your wife must be very,
+_very_ nice--like a sort of elder sister to us, you know, and'----
+
+'My darlings,' said poor Marmy, to whom it had suddenly occurred to look
+at his watch, 'time's up--or just about it. We must hurry back.'
+
+'Let's say good-bye here,' said Frances. 'Let's kiss you here, darling
+uncle, not before Aunt Alison in her drawing-room. And, oh, I _will_ try
+not to cry.'
+
+So it came to pass that almost their first memory of their new home was
+associated for the three children with Robin Redbreast, the old house in
+the lane. Often as they passed it, it always brought back to them Uncle
+Marmy's sunburnt face and kind eyes, and again they seemed to hear his
+'Good-bye, my darlings, good-bye,' which he strove hard to utter without
+letting them hear the break in his usually hearty and cheery voice.
+
+Half-an-hour later he was gone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE OLD LADY.
+
+
+It was six months now since the arrival at the house in Market Square
+Place. Mr Denison had been long with the regiment at----No, it does not
+specially matter where it was in India. The sisters got letters from
+him, as well as from their mother, by almost every mail, and in each he
+repeated the same thing--that he had never in his life found himself a
+person of so much consequence as Colonel and Mrs Mildmay considered him,
+seeing that he could give them direct news and description of their
+three children. And on their side, this seemed to make their parents
+more real and to draw them nearer to Jacinth and Frances, increasing
+more and more the intense longing for their return.
+
+It is autumn, a pleasant season in this part of the country--really
+pleasanter perhaps, though one is reluctant to allow it, than the
+lovely, fascinating, capriciously joyous spring--and it is a Friday.
+Jacinth and Frances Mildmay are walking home from school, carrying their
+little bag of books. For Saturday is a whole holiday--no going to school
+that is to say--so, naturally, some lessons must be learnt at home for
+Monday.
+
+'Aren't you glad to think to-morrow's Saturday, Jass?' said Frances. 'If
+only Aunt Alison would let us stay in bed half-an-hour later on Saturday
+mornings, it _would_ be nice.'
+
+'You lazy little thing!' said Jacinth, 'no, I don't think it would be
+nice at all. I'd rather get up even earlier than usual on a holiday, and
+feel we have the whole long day before us. It's one of the things I
+admire Aunt Alison for--that she's so punctual and regular; we'd _never_
+have been in time at school every morning, Francie, if our home had
+still been at poor granny's.'
+
+'I don't like you to say "poor" granny,' said Frances, rather irritably.
+'Say "dear" granny. And Jacinth, whether it's true or not that in some
+ways we were rather spoilt and--and--not methodical and all that, at
+Stannesley, I wish you'd _never_ say it to Aunt Alison. She's quite
+ready enough to be down on all the ways there.'
+
+'If ever I've said anything of the kind,' said Jacinth, 'it's only been
+as a sort of excuse for _you_; for you know, Frances, you were
+dreadfully unpunctual and careless in little ways when we first came,
+though I do think you're getting better.'
+
+'Much obliged,' said Frances, rather snappishly, for she was a
+quick-tempered girl. 'It's no thanks to Aunt Alison if I am. It's simply
+that I see it is right to try and be more careful, and--partly too for
+your sake, Jass. But it isn't for love of Aunt Alison. I don't love her.
+I'd have--what wouldn't I have done for granny or Uncle Marmy?--they
+loved us and Aunt Alison doesn't. She's good, in one way I daresay she's
+very good, but it's all duty. Why, just think how she leaves us to
+ourselves, once she's ordered our meals and told us what we are to do.
+Evening after evening we're alone. _That_'s not loving us.'
+
+'I think you should be very glad indeed that she trusts us,' said
+Jacinth. 'It's much better as it is than to have her fussing after us
+out of duty, as you say. It would be very uncomfortable for us to feel
+that she was always thinking we interrupted all the things she has to
+do. She told me a while ago that it was the greatest possible relief to
+her to find she _could_ trust us, and that having us interfered with her
+life much less than she expected.'
+
+'Oh, _I_ don't want any more of her,' said Frances hastily. 'Don't think
+that. But you must allow it's scarcely like having a home; sometimes I
+really think I would rather be boarders at school, do you know, Jass? It
+would be a good deal jollier. Don't you think so?'
+
+'No, indeed,' said Jacinth, very decidedly. 'I certainly wouldn't like
+it at all. School's all very well for lessons, but I should hate to be
+so tied up. I like being independent. Of course Aunt Alison knows we're
+to be trusted, but if we were at school we should have to ask leave for
+every single thing we wanted to do. And think of poor little Eugene
+without us.'
+
+'Oh, it was only an idea,' said Frances. 'I didn't really mean it
+seriously. But I like some of the girls very much, especially the
+Harpers; don't you like the Harpers exceedingly, Jass? I've liked school
+itself ever so much better since the two younger ones came. Of course
+Camilla Harper wasn't much good to us, as she was quite one of the
+biggest ones. But I think they're all nice. I _love_ Bessie and
+Margaret.'
+
+'Yes,' her sister agreed. 'I think they're very nice. But they're rather
+babyish; you see they've always lived at home, and never had to depend
+on themselves at all. I think they're not at all rich.'
+
+'That makes them all the nicer, _I_ think,' said Frances. 'I don't know
+if it's always the way, but it certainly is at school--the richest
+girls aren't nearly as nice as some of the others.'
+
+'Oh, that's nonsense,' said Jacinth. 'It may just happen that some of
+those we know to be richer are--well, rather commoner--but you can't
+make any rule about it.'
+
+'I wish Aunt Alison would let us ask the Harpers to tea, sometimes,'
+said Frances. 'I'm almost sure Miss Scarlett would let them come.'
+
+'But I'm _more_ sure that Aunt Alison wouldn't like anything of the
+kind,' said Jacinth, and even she sighed a little. 'So it's no use
+thinking of it. I hope you're prepared for a good long walk this
+afternoon, Francie. It's a lovely day, and we've been so little out
+lately. We needn't do our lessons till to-morrow. Ah, there's Eugene!'
+as at that moment the boy came flying down the street to meet them. 'How
+have you got on to-day, old man?' she said, fondly. 'Would you like to
+go a good long walk this afternoon?'
+
+Eugene went to a small boys' school, a few doors only from his aunt's.
+He was certainly the least to be pitied in the children's somewhat
+lonely life, for his sisters were devoted to him, and their affection
+made up to him for the absence of other love. Yet this sounds too severe
+on Miss Mildmay, who in her own undemonstrative way _did_ love her
+nephew and nieces. But she had mapped out her life on lines independent
+of home ties, and she had not the breadth and nobility of nature to
+recognise that the charge unexpectedly laid upon her was as much a
+heaven-sent mission as the labours among the poor, which she fulfilled
+with such devotion and enthusiastic self-denial. Her 'duty,' her dry
+duty, she performed to the children, but it never entered her mind or
+imagination that more than this could, under the circumstances, be
+demanded of her.
+
+'Oh yes,' Eugene replied. 'I'm game for as many miles as you girls, any
+way.'
+
+His sisters burst out laughing. Their seven-years' old brother was
+developing fast.
+
+'Where shall we go to, then?' said Jacinth, as they rang at their own
+door. 'I hope Phebe will be "game" too, Eugene, for we can't go without
+her, and she doesn't love very long walks.'
+
+But Phebe proved to be in an unusually enterprising mood. She was a very
+good-natured girl, honest and well-principled, her only important fault
+being laziness, which her young charges did their best to conceal from
+Miss Mildmay.
+
+'Aunt Alison would _certainly_ send her away, if she knew how late Phebe
+sometimes calls us in the morning,' Jacinth used to say. 'There's
+nothing that would vex her more than laziness, and it is very tiresome.
+But then, very likely, she'd get us some prim maid that would be
+ill-natured and crabbed, and perhaps not _really_ as good as Phebe.'
+
+So, though they shook the terrors of a probable dismissal over the
+delinquent's head, they made no further complaint. And every time Phebe
+had been specially in fault, she was so exceedingly penitent that she
+almost persuaded her young mistresses as well as herself that it would
+never happen again.
+
+She had been very late that Friday morning, and in consequence was now
+doubly on the alert. Not only did she profess herself equal to walking
+ten miles if the young ladies wished it, but she undertook to carry
+Master Eugene pick-a-back, should he feel tired, a proposal which did
+not find favour in Master Eugene's eyes, though her next suggestion that
+she should escort the party to a lovely wood they had not yet visited,
+'round by Aldersmere' was received with acclamations.
+
+'We've always wanted to go along the Aldersmere road,' said Frances.
+'You remember, Jass, we went a tiny bit up it that morning--that first
+morning with dear old Marmy.'
+
+'Yes,' said Jacinth, with a sigh, 'that first and last day.'
+
+'Is it the way along by Uncle Marmy's gates?' asked Eugene.
+
+Phebe did not understand him, but Jacinth explained.
+
+'He means past that lovely old house, Robin Redbreast, you know,' she
+said.
+
+'We could come home by that lane; we can get into it by the other end
+and come out at Robin Redbreast corner on to the high-road,' said Phebe;
+'it's a very pretty way indeed, though it's a long walk,' her voice
+sounding rather doleful.
+
+'Phebe's thinking better of it,' said Frances laughing. 'Ah well, if you
+don't want to go a long walk, you'd better tell Aunt Alison that you
+can't stand the hard work here--so late in bed, and up so _dreadfully_
+early in the morning.'
+
+The maid's face flushed scarlet.
+
+'Miss Frances!' she began reproachfully.
+
+Jacinth looked annoyed. In spite of her defence of her aunt's system and
+her own love of independence and self-confidence, she did feel conscious
+that the three of them were left in some ways too much to themselves:
+her sister's tone was not quite what a young lady's should be in
+speaking to a servant.
+
+'Frances,' she said. 'I think it's very bad taste to joke about serious
+things, and being too late nearly every morning is a serious thing.'
+
+'I wasn't joking,' Frances replied.
+
+'Well, say no more about it. We'd better start if we're going to. Phebe,
+do you think there's any chance of cook's giving us some cake, or even
+some bread-and-butter, to take with us?'
+
+Phebe shook her head.
+
+'I'm afraid not, Miss Jacinth,' she replied. 'She'd only complain to
+Miss Mildmay; it's best not to ask.'
+
+'And I really can't afford any more pennies for buns,' said Jacinth. 'We
+must trust to getting a good tea when we come home.'
+
+'Will Aunt Alison be in for tea?' said Frances. 'Oh no--it's Friday. I
+forgot,' with a distinct note of satisfaction in her voice.
+
+'So there'll be nobody to say we're greedy if we do eat a great lot,'
+said Eugene, with satisfaction still less disguised.
+
+Friday was one of Miss Alison Mildmay's busiest days, as she went out
+immediately after breakfast and did not return till the children were
+about going to bed. They had had dinner by themselves, and were now in
+the little room, half schoolroom, half nursery, appropriated to their
+use, on the same floor as the sisters' bedroom.
+
+'Do let us go,' said Jacinth, impatiently, 'and don't even talk of being
+greedy, Eugene; it's not nice.'
+
+Notwithstanding these little elements of discord before they started,
+the walk turned out a great success. It was a delicious day, to begin
+with, and lovely autumn weather is no doubt more soothing in its effect
+on both old and young than that of any other season. The little party
+stepped out bravely; the four miles to Aldersmere seemed only half the
+real distance, and the place itself, when they reached it, would have
+rewarded a much greater amount of exertion.
+
+It was a little lake, lying in a hollow; the trees, from which came its
+name, growing almost into the water. There was a curious charm about the
+intense loneliness of the place, none the less that it was not actually
+very far removed from the haunts of men. The pool was said in the
+neighbourhood to be exceedingly deep, and the dark still water looked
+mysterious enough to be so; but then this is said of every pond or lake
+of romantic appearance in all parts of the country, just as every
+tumble-down ruin or gloomy deserted house is sure to have the name of
+being haunted.
+
+At one side there was a little clearing and a tempting stretch of
+velvety-looking grass, disfigured, however, by blackened patches where
+gipsy-fires, amateur or professional, had recently been lighted.
+
+'It would be a jolly place for a picnic,' said Frances. 'I wonder if
+it's picnickers who've been here, or gipsies.'
+
+'Real gipsies choose opener places generally,' said Jacinth. 'Still this
+would be a very cosy place in hot weather, but I suspect it's only been
+picnics. Let's remember it for next summer, Francie, and try to coax
+Aunt Alison to let us bring our dinner or at least our tea with us one
+nice hot day.'
+
+'It wouldn't be much fun all by ourselves,' said Frances. 'If we could
+ask the Harpers to come too some holiday, _that_ would be fun.'
+
+'Oh how you tease about the Harpers!' replied Jacinth impatiently. 'I
+daresay you'll have quarrelled with them long before next summer, as you
+did with the Beckinghams.'
+
+'Jacinth, it's very unkind of you to say that,' said Frances,
+indignantly. 'I _didn't_ quarrel with the Beckinghams, only you wouldn't
+have had me stand Priscilla saying that papa and mamma can't care for
+us much if they leave us all these years without troubling to come home
+to see us.'
+
+'It was very impertinent,' said the elder sister, 'but I think you make
+friends too quickly. You told Priscilla Beckingham our whole history
+almost the first day we were at school. None of the girls would say such
+a thing as that to _me_.'
+
+Frances was on the brink of a still more indignant reply, when
+Phebe--one of whose best points was a very sweet temper, which made her
+always ready to avert a storm if she could--broke in, just in time.
+
+'Miss Jacinth,' she said, 'I think we should be turning towards home.
+We've been here longer than you'd think, and Master Eugene will be
+getting tired.'
+
+'I'm not a bit tired,' said the little boy, 'but I'll tell you what I
+am, or what I'm going to be, and that's awfully nungry. Talking of
+bringing our dinner or tea out with us next summer has put it into my
+head. If even I'd a bit of bread, I'd eat it.'
+
+'Come on, then,' said Jacinth, encouragingly, 'the sooner we go, the
+sooner we'll be home. And we can have tea the minute we get in, can't
+we, Phebe, even if it's not quite five o'clock.'
+
+'Certainly, miss, I don't think there'll be any difficulty about that,'
+said Phebe, who was pretty well persuaded in her own mind that it would
+be quite the orthodox tea-time before they could reach Market Square
+Place.
+
+The first part of the way was pleasant walking, even though they were
+beginning to be just a little tired, for it was over level ground; but
+the next two miles were stiffer, for they were almost entirely up-hill,
+which had naturally made the outstart down-hill, an easy commencement
+of the expedition.
+
+Eugene was soon rather done up, though he would not hear of Phebe's
+carrying him.
+
+'If it wasn't so climby, I wouldn't mind,' he said, 'but my legs does
+get so tired of always shortening themselves up.'
+
+'Never mind, Master Eugene,' said the maid; 'we'll be at the back end of
+the Redbreast Lane, directly, and after that, there's no more climbing.'
+
+'And once there we shall be less than a mile from home,' said Jacinth.
+'Oh Francie, do you remember how nice it was at Stannesley with the old
+donkey, whenever we were going a long walk?'
+
+'And granny watching for us at home with tea in her own sitting-room for
+a treat, and those _exquisite_ little scones,' said Frances. 'Oh don't
+speak of it.'
+
+'No, please don't,' said Eugene, 'for it makes me nungrier and nungrier.
+And--I'm afraid I'm beginning to be _firsty_ too, and that's worser than
+being nungry. It always says so in shipwreck stories. They read us one
+at school the other day, and it said so.'
+
+'Eugene, how silly you are!' said Frances, 'as if your feeling a little
+hungry and a tiny atom thirsty could compare with dreadful sufferings
+like sailors have.'
+
+'And really, Eugene, considering you're past seven, you should try to
+speak better,' added Jacinth. 'I hope you don't say "nungry and firsty"
+at school. How they must laugh at you!'
+
+'They don't then,' said the little boy, 'and they don't need to. I'm
+very pertickler at school, and I always say 'ungry and wursty properly.
+But it's a great trouble to remember, and I like a rest from being
+pertickler at home. You needn't be so cross. Why, there's a boy at
+school, older than me, who calls the sun the "fun"--he does really.'
+
+'Well, I know papa and mamma would like you to speak well,' said
+Jacinth, 'so you should try for their sake. "Ungry" is worse than
+"nungry"; you mustn't get into the way of dropping your "h's," whatever
+you do. That matters more than baby talking; it's _vulgar_.'
+
+'It's very unkind of you to call me vulgar,' said Eugene, in a very
+plaintive voice, 'and I'll tell you what, Jass, I'm getting _so_
+fir--wursty, I mean, that I just can't go all the way back wifout a
+drink.'
+
+Jacinth and Frances looked about them in despair; Eugene was a very good
+little fellow generally, but he was rather delicate and nervous, and
+notwithstanding the dignity of his seven years, they knew by experience
+that once he was fairly started on a fit of crying, it was far from easy
+to predict when it would be over. They were now in the long lane known
+as Robin Redbreast Lane, or the Redbreast Lane; another quarter of a
+mile at most would bring them out on to the high-road, where they were
+at no great distance from Thetford.
+
+'I'm afraid it's been too long a walk for him,' said Jacinth. 'It's such
+a pity, for it's so good for him to have a nice country walk, now that
+he goes to school every day.'
+
+'I'm not tired,' said Eugene, 'I'm only firsty now; I can wait for being
+nungry till tea-time, quite well, but I must have somefin to drink.'
+
+'Is there any cottage along this lane, that we could ask for a glass of
+water at?' Jacinth inquired of Phebe.
+
+But the girl shook her head.
+
+'There's no cottage nor house of any kind between this and the
+high-road, except the Robin Redbreast itself,' said she. 'And that's not
+a place where one could ask for a glass of water even. The old lady's
+very stiff in her ways, and the servants are just the same.'
+
+'Oh no,' said Jacinth, 'of course it wouldn't do to ask for anything at
+a _gentleman's_ house. You must just bear it, Eugene dear, and perhaps
+we'll pass some cottage when we leave the lane; though I'm not very fond
+of drinking water at any cottage--one's never sure of its being good.'
+
+'There's the drinking fountain just outside the town; I daresay Master
+Eugene can get along till we come to that,' said Phebe, encouragingly.
+
+And for a few moments nothing more was heard of the little boy's woes.
+He plodded along silently, till just as they were approaching 'Uncle
+Marmy's gate' as they called it, he burst out again.
+
+'I _must_ have a drink, Jass. I tell you I must. Let me go and ask for
+one at this house. It wouldn't be naughty. I _can't_ go any furder.'
+
+The girls hesitated. It went very much against the grain with them--with
+Jacinth especially--to let the boy go up to the front door of this
+strange house to ask for the boon of even a glass of water. And yet it
+wouldn't do to let him go to the back-door, 'as if we were beggars,'
+said Frances.
+
+'Would it be better to send Phebe? Well, perhaps that would be best.
+Phebe, will you go with Master Eugene--to the front door? But Eugene,
+you are really very tiresome,' said the elder girl.
+
+'I _must_ have a drink, Jacinth. It's not my fault. I can't help being
+firsty,' said the boy, in his doleful tone. 'If you say I mustn't, I'll
+_try_ to bear it, but'----
+
+At this moment an unexpected turn was given to the state of affairs by
+the gate, a few feet in front of them, being pushed open, to allow some
+one to come out.
+
+The sound interrupted the children's discussion; they all looked towards
+the gate.
+
+The 'some one' was an elderly, more correctly speaking, perhaps, an old
+lady. She was not _very_ tall, but she was thin, and, considering her
+years, wonderfully erect. As she stood there at the gate, her thick
+black silk skirt trailing a little, a large fleecy white shawl thrown
+round her head and shoulders--her bright dark eyes glancing out all the
+darker and brighter from the contrast with her snowy hair and
+draperies--she looked both striking and stately. Not a person to take
+liberties with, assuredly.
+
+Phebe shook in her shoes. As I have said, there was a considerable
+amount of awe felt in Thetford for the somewhat mysterious inhabitant of
+Robin Redbreast, and Phebe was a Thetford girl.
+
+As for the young Mildmays, they stood motionless, not overawed, but both
+impressed and startled, gazing at the unexpected apparition in a way
+which Jacinth afterwards hoped to herself had not seemed like ill-bred
+staring.
+
+But the lady was looking at them too. She had a stick in her hand--a
+polished black-wood stick, with a gold knob at the top--and for the
+first moment or two she stood as if leaning on it. Then she raised it
+with a little gesture, as if inviting them to come nearer.
+
+'What was that name I heard you say just now?' she began. 'I heard you
+from the other side of my garden-wall. I have quick ears, though I am
+old.'
+
+The mention of ears was unfortunate. Somehow it recalled the story of
+Red Riding-hood and her grandmother to Eugene; tired and excited
+already, he grew perfectly white and caught hold of his elder sister's
+dress. And for a moment or two the presence of mind of the whole party
+seemed to have deserted them. No one spoke.
+
+The old lady tapped her stick impatiently on the hard gravel.
+
+'Don't you understand me?' she said. 'You were talking fast enough just
+now. The little boy was complaining of being thirsty. I think it was he
+that said the--the name. What is the matter with him? does he think I am
+going to eat him?'
+
+This last was addressed to Frances, now standing a little in front of
+the others, partly with an instinct of coming between the terrified
+little boy and those keen, searching eyes.
+
+'My brother is very tired--and very thirsty,' she said. 'It was he that
+was speaking, and I daresay he said our names. Mine is Frances, but my
+sister's is Jacinth. Perhaps you heard that name: it is very uncommon.'
+
+'Jacinth!' repeated the old lady, '_Jacinth!_'
+
+Her voice sounded far away and dreamy. A queer feeling came over the two
+girls, as if by a strange chance they had strayed unawares into some
+secret chamber, some long-closed deserted house; or as if a vague
+momentary glimpse into some long-ago story, some old romance, of the
+distant past had been suddenly opened to them.
+
+They could not themselves have put this feeling into words; it came to
+them, I think, in the subtle way in which sometimes we are conscious of
+the unexpressed emotions and sensations of those near us. Nevertheless
+they stood silent, surprised and almost awe-struck. Then the old lady
+seemed to rouse herself: with a little effort she came back into the
+present, as it were.
+
+'Yes,' she said, 'that was the name I heard. Are you Jacinth?' she went
+on, addressing the elder girl, and as she fixed her eyes on Jacinth, a
+little tremor passed over her. 'I think,' she whispered to herself, but
+the children caught the words, 'I think--I wonder if it is fancy--I
+almost think I see a likeness.'
+
+Jacinth was tall and well grown for her age. She was not _pretty_--not
+as pretty as fair, fluffy-haired Frances--but there was promise of more
+than prettiness in her almost severely regular features, and her
+colouring when one examined her carefully, was good too. Her hair a rich
+dark brown, of a shade one hardly does justice to at the first careless
+glance; her complexion healthily pale, with a tinge of sun-burning,
+perhaps a few freckles; her eyes clear, strong, hazel eyes, with long
+softening lashes. The whole was spoilt by a want of light--of the
+sunshine one loves to see in a young face--the expression was too grave
+and impassive; there was the suggestion of future hardness, unless time
+should mellow instead of stiffening and accentuating the already
+somewhat rigid lines.
+
+It must have been this expression, more than any actual resemblance in
+feature, which had made Marmaduke Denison smile to himself at the
+curious likeness which had struck him between Jacinth and her Aunt
+Alison.
+
+The girl looked up in the old lady's face, and something--the oddity of
+the whole situation, some indefinite sympathy which unconsciously sought
+for an outlet--made her smile. Jacinth's smile was charming. Already to
+her thin young face it gave the roundness and bloom it wanted--every
+feature softened and the clear observant eyes grew sweet.
+
+A faint flush--the mere suggestion of colour which in the aged often
+denotes intense emotion--rose to Lady Myrtle Goodacre's face, as she met
+Jacinth's smile. She scarcely waited for the girl's reply to her
+question.
+
+'Yes,' she went on, 'it must be. I cannot be mistaken. My dear,' she
+added, 'I want to ask you several things, but this poor little fellow is
+tired--and thirsty, didn't you say? Will you come in for a moment or
+two? Not farther than the porch, if you prefer; perhaps you are in haste
+to get home, and I must see you again.'
+
+She turned and walked quickly back towards the house--the door of which
+stood open--along the straight smooth gravel path leading from the gate;
+the children following her, without seeming quite to know why, and Phebe
+bringing up the rear with a face which looked as if she were doubting
+whether they were about to enter an ogre's castle or a white cats'
+palace.
+
+'Miss Jacinth, Miss Frances,' she panted in vague remonstrance. But they
+took no notice.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+TWO JACINTHS.
+
+
+The porch was almost like a room. It had cushioned seats all round, a
+rustic table at one side, and stained glass, tiny-paned windows. The old
+lady hurried through it, looking back over her shoulder to say, 'Sit
+down for a minute or two. I will order some milk for the little boy,'
+and nothing loth, the children did so, though in silence.
+
+Then Eugene glanced round in triumph.
+
+'There now,' he said, 'you see I was right. She doesn't mind a bit. I
+shouldn't wonder if she brought us out cakes too.'
+
+'_Hush_,' said Frances, 'you needn't talk like that, Eugene. You were as
+frightened as anything when she first came out. And how can you be so
+greedy?'
+
+'Hush,' said Jacinth in her turn, and still more authoritatively. 'Don't
+you hear? she's coming back.'
+
+The door standing slightly ajar was pushed open more widely, disclosing
+a trim-looking maid, carrying a tray with a large glass jug full of
+milk, and--joyful sight!--a plate of small brown crisp-looking cakes.
+Eugene's eyes glistened, though, poor little chap, it was more at the
+sight of the milk than the cakes, for he was very thirsty indeed. But he
+sat still, to outward appearance patiently enough, for just behind the
+maid came the old lady again, looking quite eager and excited, a bright
+spot of colour on each cheek.
+
+'Put the tray on the little table,' she said. 'Yes, that will do. You
+need not stay;' and the trim maid disappeared again.
+
+Lady Myrtle poured out a glass of milk and gave it to Eugene.
+
+'Your sisters will excuse my attending to you first, I am sure,' she
+said. 'You are very thirsty, I know.--Now, will you two have some milk
+and some cake?' she went on, turning to Jacinth and Frances.
+
+Jacinth felt half inclined to refuse, but something in the old lady's
+manner made it difficult to do so. She did not seem accustomed to have
+even her suggestions disregarded, and her invitation was more like a
+command.
+
+'After your brother has finished his milk,' their hostess went on,
+'perhaps he would like to walk about the garden a little with your maid,
+or if he is tired, there is a nice arbour over there in the corner. I
+want to speak to you two a little. I have some questions to ask you, but
+I want you to understand that I will not invite you to come in till you
+have got leave from--from your parents or your guardians. When I was a
+child I would not have entered any stranger's house without leave, and I
+approve of strict ways of bringing up children.'
+
+The girls listened respectfully, making a little sign of assent. But
+Eugene's whole attention had been given to the milk and cakes. Now that
+his thirst was satisfied, he began to think about others, and for the
+first time found his voice.
+
+'Mayn't Phebe have some milk and cake, too, please?' he said. 'We've
+been a drefful long walk. I'm sure Phebe's firsty too.'
+
+Phebe blushed scarlet, but in spite of her terror, her good manners--and
+she was a specially good-mannered girl--did not forsake her.
+
+'Master Eugene, my dear,' she said quietly. 'You forget I am not a
+little young gentleman like you.--If I might take his glass and plate to
+the arbour, my lady, he would be very happy, and out of the way.'
+
+Lady Myrtle smiled benignly. She liked 'tact.'
+
+'Certainly, my good girl,' she said, 'and take a glass and some cakes
+for yourself too.--That is a nice-mannered girl,' she added to Jacinth
+and Frances. 'She is both modest and sensible.'
+
+'Yes,' said Jacinth, 'we like her very much. Aunt Alison got her for us
+before we came here.'
+
+Lady Myrtle's face grew grave.
+
+'Is Aunt Alison the relation you live with?' she asked. 'Is her name Mrs
+Alison? And where and with whom did you live before? Have you no
+parents? I am not asking out of curiosity, but because I think you must
+be related to a very dear friend of mine--now dead.' Here her breath
+seemed to catch her voice. 'I may be mistaken, but I do not think so.'
+
+'Our parents are in India,' said Jacinth. 'Our father is Colonel
+Mildmay, and Aunt Alison is his sister. Alison is her first name. We
+have only lived with her since our--grandmother, Mrs Denison, died.'
+
+'_Denison!_' repeated Lady Myrtle, 'I was sure of it. But _Mrs_ Denison?
+I cannot understand it. Are you not making a mistake, my dear? Are you
+sure that your grandmother was _Mrs_ Denison? Was she not'----
+
+'Mrs Denison was only our _step_-grandmother,' interrupted Jacinth,
+eagerly. Frances could not blame her now for explaining this! 'She was
+very good to us, but--she wasn't our own grandmother. _She_ died before
+we were born. She was mamma's mother, and I am called after her. She was
+Lady Jacinth Denison, and'----
+
+'I knew it,' exclaimed the old lady. 'And her name before she was
+married was'----
+
+Jacinth hesitated a little. It is sometimes rather confusing to remember
+relations so far back.
+
+'I know,' said Frances; 'it was More'----but here she too stopped.
+
+'Moreland?' said Lady Myrtle.
+
+The girls' faces cleared. Yes, that was it.
+
+'But the Christian name--"Jacinth"--satisfied me,' said the old lady.
+'The name, and your face, my dear,' to Jacinth herself. 'Thank you, for
+answering my questions. Perhaps I must not keep you any longer to-day,
+but I will write to your aunt--Miss Mildmay--Miss Alison Mildmay--I
+think I have heard of her at Thetford--and ask her to allow you to come
+to see me again very soon. If I keep you longer just now, she may be
+uneasy.'
+
+'Oh no,' said Frances, 'she won't be at home when we get back. It's one
+of the days she's out all day--till after we're in bed, generally.'
+
+'Dear me!' said Lady Myrtle, 'she must be a very busy person.'
+
+'Yes,' said Jacinth, 'she is. She is very, _very_ useful, I know. And
+one couldn't have expected her to give up all the things she'd been at
+so many years, all of a sudden, when we came. We don't mind, except that
+it seems a little lonely sometimes; but--I don't think Aunt Alison
+cares much for children or girls like us. She says she's got out of the
+way of it. But she's quite kind.'
+
+'You have a governess, I suppose?' asked Lady Myrtle.
+
+'No,' said Jacinth, 'we go every day but Saturday to Miss Scarlett's
+school.'
+
+She coloured a little as she said it, for she had an instinct that
+'school' for girls was hardly one of the things that her hostess had
+been accustomed to in _her_ youth, and notwithstanding Jacinth's
+decision of character, she was apt to be much influenced by the opinions
+and even prejudices of those about her. But still she knew that Miss
+Scarlett's was really a somewhat exceptional school.
+
+'To Miss Scarlett's,' repeated Lady Myrtle. 'I have heard of it. I
+believe it is very nice, but still--I prefer home education. But perhaps
+I should not say so. No doubt your parents and guardians have acted for
+the best. I should like you to tell Miss Alison Mildmay all I have asked
+you, and I will write to her. And in the meantime, that she may not
+think me too eccentric an old woman, pray tell her that I was--that your
+own grandmother--I like you to call her that--Lady Jacinth Moreland,
+afterwards Lady Jacinth Denison, and I, were the--yes, the very dearest
+of friends when we were young. It is possible that Miss Alison Mildmay
+may have heard my name from your mother. I think your mother--what is
+her name--"Eugenia," oh yes, I remember--I think your mother must have
+heard of me even in her childhood. My unmarried name was Harper, "Myrtle
+Harper;" your grandmother and I first took to each other, I think,
+because we had such uncommon names.'
+
+'Harper!' exclaimed Frances eagerly, 'there are some--what is it,
+Jacinth?--I mean Bessie and Margar'----
+
+'We must go,' said Jacinth, getting up, as she spoke. 'Frances, will you
+call Eugene? and'--turning to her hostess, 'thank you _very_ much for
+being so kind. And oh, if you will ask Aunt Alison to let us come again,
+it would be such a pleasure.'
+
+She raised her beautiful eyes to Lady Myrtle's face. A mist came over
+the keen bright old pair gazing at her in return. Partly perhaps to
+conceal this sudden emotion, Lady Myrtle stooped--for, tall though
+Jacinth was for her age, she was shorter than her grandmother's old
+friend--and kissed the soft up-turned cheek. 'My dear, you are _so_ like
+her--my Jacinth, sometimes,' she murmured, 'that it is almost too much
+for me.'
+
+Then a practical thought struck her.
+
+'You have not told me your address at Thetford,' she said. 'I had better
+have it, though no doubt Miss Alison Mildmay is well known in the
+place.'
+
+Jacinth gave it.
+
+'Number 9, Market Square Place,' she said.
+
+'Oh, I know where it is--a row of rather nice quaint old houses. Still,
+you must feel rather cooped up there sometimes, after Stannesley; was
+not that the Denisons' place? I was there once.'
+
+'We miss the grounds, and--yes, we miss a good many things,' said
+Jacinth simply.
+
+'Then I hope that Robin Redbreast will make up to you for some of them,'
+said Lady Myrtle. 'You know the name of my funny old house, I daresay?'
+
+'Oh yes,' said Francis, who had just rejoined them with Eugene and
+Phebe, 'we heard it the very first day. And we've always thought it
+lovely--both the house and the name. And we always pass by this way when
+we can, because of the gates. We call them 'Uncle Marmy's gates,' for
+it was here we said good-bye to him--good-bye _properly_, I mean.'
+
+'Kissing, and trying not to cry,' added Eugene, by way of explanation.
+
+Lady Myrtle seemed a little startled.
+
+'Uncle Marmy!' she repeated, 'that was your grandfather's name. I
+thought your mother was an only child.'
+
+'Yes,' said Jacinth, 'Uncle Marmaduke is not our real--not our full
+uncle. He is mamma's half-brother only.'
+
+'Oh,' exclaimed the old lady, 'now I understand.'
+
+'But we love him just as much--_quite_ as much as if he was our whole
+uncle,' said Frances, eagerly. 'He's perfectly--oh, he's as nice as he
+can _possibly_ be.'
+
+Lady Myrtle smiled, and gave a little pat to Frances's shining tangle of
+curly hair.
+
+'Good-bye then, my dears, for to-day,' she said.
+
+But she stood at the gate looking after them till they reached
+the corner of the lane, when some happy impulse made
+Jacinth--undemonstrative Jacinth--turn round and kiss her hand to the
+solitary old figure.
+
+'She's like a sort of a grandmother to us,' said Eugene. 'What a good
+thing,' with extreme self-complacency, 'I made you go in!--what a good
+thing I was'--after a great effort--'wursty!'
+
+But Jacinth's face was slightly clouded. She drew Frances a little apart
+from the others.
+
+'Frances,' she said severely, 'you must have more sense. How could you
+begin about those girls at school?' Lady Myrtle, if she does notice us,
+won't want to hear all the chatter and gossip of Miss Scarlett's. And
+it's such a common sort of thing, the moment you hear a name, to start
+up and say "Oh, _I_ know somebody called that," and then go on about
+your somebodies that no one wants to hear anything of.'
+
+Frances looked rather ashamed. She was barely two years younger than her
+sister, but on almost every subject--on questions of good manners and
+propriety above all--Jacinth's verdict was always accepted by her as
+infallible, though whence Jacinth had derived her knowledge on such
+points it would have been difficult to say. No one could have been less
+a woman of the world than the late Mrs Denison; indeed, the much misused
+but really sweet old word 'homely' might have been applied to her in its
+conventional sense without unkindly severity. And no life could have
+been simpler, though from that very fact not without a certain dignity
+of its own, than the family life at Stannesley, which was in reality the
+only training these girls had ever known.
+
+'I'm very sorry, Jass,' said the younger sister, penitently. 'It was
+only--it did seem funny that her name was Harper, when I am so fond of
+Bessie and Marg'----
+
+'I'm getting tired of your always talking of them,' said Jacinth. 'I
+daresay they're nice enough'----
+
+'And they're _quite_ ladies,' interposed Frances, 'though they are so
+very poor.'
+
+'I wouldn't look down on them for _that_; I should think you might know
+me better,' said Jacinth. 'We're not at all rich ourselves, though I
+suppose papa and mamma seem so in India with all the parties and things
+they're obliged to have. And I never said the girls weren't "quite
+ladies," as you say. But I know how it will end: in a little while you
+won't like Bessie and Margaret any better than Prissy Beckingham. You
+fly at people so at first.'
+
+'I don't think it will be that way this time,' said Frances in a tone
+of quiet conviction. 'There's something _different_ about the Harpers.'
+
+'It isn't a very uncommon name,' said Jacinth. 'There are all sorts of
+Harpers. Why, at Stannesley, the village schoolmaster's wife was called
+Harper before she married, I remember. And then Lord Elvedon's family
+name is Harper.'
+
+They had drawn nearer to the other two by this time, and Phebe overheard
+the last words.
+
+'If you please, Miss Jacinth, that is Lady Myrtle's family. Her father
+was Lord Elvedon, two or three back, and the Lord Elvedon now is a
+nephew or a cousin's son to her, though they never come near the place;
+it's been let ever since I can remember.'
+
+'I wonder if she was brought up at Elvedon,' said Frances. 'It must seem
+rather sad to her, if she was there when she was a little girl, to have
+no one belonging to her there now.'
+
+Altogether the adventure--and a real adventure it was--gave them plenty
+to think of and to talk about all the way home and after they got there.
+Eugene forgot his fatigue, and chattered briskly about the goodness of
+the little brown cakes, till he got a snub from Jacinth about being so
+greedy. His appetite, however, did not seem to have suffered, and he was
+quite ready to do justice to the tea waiting for them at home, though
+not without some allusions to Lady Myrtle's delicious cakes, and wishes
+that Aunt Alison would sometimes give them 'a change from bread and
+butter.'
+
+For one of Miss Mildmay's fixed ideas about children was that they could
+not be brought up too plainly.
+
+'We do have a change sometimes,' said Jacinth. 'We always have golden
+syrup on Saturdays and jam on Sundays, and you know we've had buns two
+or three times on birthdays.'
+
+'Other children have buns and cakes far oftener than us,' said Eugene.
+'Like we used to at Stannesley.'
+
+'It was quite different there,' said Jacinth; 'a big country-house and
+baking at home.'
+
+'_Everything_ was nice at Stannesley,' said Frances with a sigh. 'Granny
+and Uncle Marmy really loved us; that makes the difference.'
+
+'Aunt Alison loves us in her way,' said Jacinth. 'Everybody can't be the
+same. I think you're getting into a very bad habit of grumbling,
+Frances. And this afternoon you really should be pleased. For I
+shouldn't at all wonder if Lady Myrtle often asks us to go to see her,
+and that would be a treat and a change. But what you say about poor
+granny and Uncle Marmy reminds me to say something. You really needn't
+fly up so on the defensive every time I name them; you did it again
+to-day, and I'm sure Lady Myrtle must have thought it very queer, just
+as if I'----
+
+But this second reproof for her behaviour at Robin Redbreast did not
+find Frances as meek as the former one, which, in deference to Jacinth's
+superior knowledge on such subjects, she had felt she perhaps deserved.
+
+'I will "fly up" as you call it,' she interrupted angrily, 'when you
+talk in that cold measured way about dear granny and Uncle Marmy, as if
+you were almost ashamed of them. For one thing I can't bear you to say
+"poor" granny; it's not right. She was a sort of a saint, and I'm quite
+sure that now she's'----But here Frances burst into tears.
+
+Jacinth felt sorry, but annoyed and irritated also. She blamed herself
+for having begun any private talk of the kind before Eugene and Phebe;
+for, as sometimes happened when they had come in late, Phebe was having
+tea with them this evening. And she felt conscious also of deserving, to
+a certain extent, her sister's blame. But Jacinth had a good deal of
+self-control.
+
+'I cannot understand,' she said quietly, though the colour rose to her
+cheeks--'I cannot understand how you can think such things of me--as if
+I--as if anybody could have loved _them_ more than I did; as if'----But
+here the tears rose to her own eyes.
+
+Frances was at once melted.
+
+'I didn't mean _that_,' she said. 'I know you did. I wouldn't love _you_
+if I didn't know it. But it's your manner; you seem in such a hurry
+always to explain that granny wasn't our own grandmother.'
+
+'I don't think that's fair,' said Jacinth. 'How could I possibly have
+helped explaining about it when it is _only_ because of our own
+grandmother that Lady Myrtle cares anything at all about us. And I
+wasn't in a hurry to explain; don't you remember that Lady Myrtle kept
+asking if we were sure our grandmother was only _Mrs_?'
+
+Yes, that had been so, but still the slightly hurt feeling which
+Jacinth's tone about the dear Stannesley people had more than once given
+Frances still remained, and she might have said more, had not her sister
+prevented her doing so.
+
+'Anyway,' she said, 'we need not say any more about it just now.'
+
+After tea they got out their lesson-books, anxious to do all they could,
+so as to wake on Saturday morning with the delightful sensation of a
+real whole holiday. But their long walk, perhaps the excitement of their
+adventure, had tired them. Lessons, with Frances especially, seemed more
+difficult than usual, and after a good many yawns and not a few groans,
+she decided that it was no use to attempt anything calling for a 'clear
+head' that evening.
+
+'I'll just copy out my dictation and exercises,' she said, 'and do all
+the fresh learning to-morrow morning. Won't you do so too, Jass, for
+there are two or three things we can learn together?'
+
+'Very well,' said Jacinth, though with a little sigh, 'perhaps it would
+be better.'
+
+It was not only that she was tired--her head was full of Robin Redbreast
+and its owner, and all manner of fancies and castles in the air were
+crowding upon her. It was really so romantic, she thought; it was not
+silly to picture to herself the delightful possibilities of the future.
+
+'Suppose Lady Myrtle really gets very fond of us'--she said 'us,' but
+'_me_' would perhaps have been more correct, and after all this was
+scarcely unnatural, as it was she who had specially recalled the Jacinth
+Moreland of her enthusiastic youthful affection to the old
+lady--'supposing she in a sort of way adopted us--or me'--for Jacinth
+was not selfish in the common acceptation of the word, though
+self-important and fond of ruling, 'what happiness it might bring us!
+She doesn't seem to have any relations, and she must be very well off.
+Supposing she took us to live with her, and treated us just like her own
+children, I wonder if mamma wouldn't come home then, and papa too
+perhaps. For of course, if they knew we were going to be well off, papa
+wouldn't worry so about staying out in India his full time and all that.
+How I should _love_ to be the one to be able to do everything for them
+all.'
+
+Still it would not do to begin speculating on what might happen in the
+far future when--Jacinth felt shocked when she realised that, in
+picturing herself as Lady Myrtle's possible heir, she was anticipating
+the old lady's death; yet she certainly could not 'fit in' the idea of
+their all living together at Robin Redbreast with its present
+chatelaine. And she laughed at her own absurdity.
+
+'Papa is so independent,' she reflected. 'Even if _mamma_ had a lot of
+money, I don't believe he'd be satisfied without working as hard as
+ever. And of course he loves his profession.'
+
+Then she determined not to be silly, and to think no more about it. But
+her dreams that night were very fantastic and rosy-hued. She awoke in
+the morning from a vision of a wonderful room of which the walls were
+painted all over with robins, which suddenly burst out singing her name,
+'Jacinth, Jacinth,' to find that Frances was awake and calling to her.
+
+'Oh Francie, I was having _such_ an interesting dream,' she said. 'I
+wish you hadn't awakened me: I can't remember what was dreams and what
+wasn't,' she went on sleepily. 'Did we really go inside Uncle Marmy's
+gates, and see?'----
+
+'Of course we did,' said Frances, 'and I've got such a good thought.
+Don't you think we might go that way again to-day and take mamma's last
+photograph with us? Lady Myrtle would be sure to like to see it, and we
+needn't ask for her, you know. And it would keep her from forgetting us,
+and anyway we might walk round the garden, I should think.'
+
+'No,' said Jacinth, 'we can't do anything like that without Aunt
+Alison's leave, and of course we can't ask for leave unless Lady Myrtle
+writes to Aunt Alison. And there's no telling if she will. She may be
+one of those whimsical old people that mean to do a thing, and then
+think better of it and do nothing.'
+
+Frances's face fell.
+
+'Oh, I do hope not,' she said. 'Somehow I don't _think_ she's that sort
+of old lady.'
+
+Nor in her heart did Jacinth. The expression of her misgivings had been
+as much or more to damp or check herself as Frances. For she was
+startled to find how wildly she had been indulging in building
+air-castles. Few, if any, even of those she had spent her life among,
+knew Jacinth Mildmay thoroughly, or had any suspicion of the
+impressionableness, the almost fantastic imagination, hidden under her
+quiet, almost cold exterior. But to some extent she knew herself better
+than is often the case at her age. She was well aware that she needed
+strict holding in hand; she sometimes even went too far in judging as
+contemptible weaknesses, feelings and impulses which were full of good.
+
+But as regards the fancies which since yesterday had been so absorbing
+her, she was in the right. Even apparently harmless hopes and wishes
+dependent on the caprice, or, if carried where they _may_ lead to,
+contingent on the life or death of others, are better checked at once.
+Indulgence in such can do no good, and _may_ do harm.
+
+They had not seen their aunt the night before. And her manner was
+somewhat 'carried' and preoccupied when she kissed the girls as they
+entered the dining-room, where she was already seated at the table
+waiting to read prayers.
+
+A slight misgiving came over Jacinth. She glanced at the sideboard where
+the morning letters were always placed. Yes, one or two torn wrappers
+were lying there: evidently the letters had come and been opened. For
+Miss Alison Mildmay was, as Frances expressed it, 'a _dreadfully_ early
+getter-up,' and had always an hour or more to herself before the younger
+members of the household appeared.
+
+I am afraid Jacinth's attention that morning was rather distracted. She
+sat glancing at her aunt's profile, cold and almost hard, as she was
+accustomed to see it, but with just now the addition of some irritable
+lines about the forehead which were certainly not _always_ there.
+
+'Something has vexed her, I am certain,' said Jacinth to herself. 'I do
+wonder if it has anything to do with Lady Myrtle. Oh dear, if she has
+written so as to vex Aunt Alison, and we get blamed for it, and
+everything is spoilt!'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+A LETTER AND A DISCUSSION.
+
+
+'Were you very late last night, Aunt Alison? Are you tired?'
+
+The questions came from Frances, who had noticed the unusual silence at
+the breakfast-table--not that they were ever very loquacious, for Eugene
+had his meals up-stairs and he was the chatterbox of the party--but
+without any of her sister's fears or misgivings. So that she looked up
+at her aunt in happy freedom from any self-conscious embarrassment.
+
+'I was not later than I am usually on Fridays,' said Miss Mildmay. 'No,
+thank you, I am not tired. Will you have some more tea, Jacinth?'
+
+'Yes, please,' said the elder girl. She was growing more and more
+nervous, and yet her anxiety to know if Lady Myrtle really had written
+already made her remain near her aunt as long as possible.
+
+Miss Mildmay had apparently finished her own breakfast, for after
+handing Jacinth her cup, she took up a little pile of letters which lay
+beside her, and drew out one, which she unfolded and glanced at with a
+peculiar expression on her face.
+
+'Have you--have you nothing to tell me--no message to give me?' she said
+at last, still fingering the letter.
+
+She spoke to both girls, but it seemed to Jacinth as if her words were
+more specially addressed to her, and she started, while a flush rose to
+her face. And suddenly she remembered--or realised rather--that Lady
+Myrtle _had_ given them a message for their aunt; though, oddly enough,
+in spite of her thoughts having been so much absorbed with the adventure
+of the day before, it had never once occurred to her during that silent
+breakfast that she should have spoken of it to her aunt--should, in
+fact, have related all that had passed. There had been no reason for her
+not doing so--the old lady had specially desired it--it was only that
+her strong impression that Miss Mildmay had something to say to them had
+made her wait.
+
+'Of course,' she exclaimed nervously. 'I really don't know what we've
+been thinking of _not_ to tell you. For we _have_ a message for
+you.--Frances, why didn't you remind me?'
+
+Frances stared. It was seldom her way to take the initiative, she was so
+accustomed to follow Jacinth's lead; and just now she had been quite
+contentedly waiting to speak of their visit to Robin Redbreast till her
+sister saw fit to do so.
+
+'I--I didn't know. I thought'----began Frances confusedly.
+
+Miss Mildmay turned upon her sharply.
+
+'Have you been planning together not to speak of this--this curious
+affair to me?' she said. 'I don't pretend not to know all about it. I
+do,' and she touched the letter, 'by this, but I must say I think I
+should not have heard of it _first_ from a stranger. There is one thing
+I cannot and will not stand, I warn you, girls, and that is any approach
+to want of candour.'
+
+'Aunt Alison,' exclaimed Jacinth in hot indignation, 'how can you? Did
+you not hear me ask Frances why she had not reminded me to tell you?'
+
+'No, I cannot understand that,' said her aunt, still coldly. 'It is
+quite impossible that you had _forgotten_ about it, when it only
+happened'----She glanced at the letter and hesitated. 'When was it, it
+happened?'
+
+'Only yesterday,' said Jacinth quietly. 'No, _of course_, I hadn't
+forgotten. But I had forgotten that I had a message for you that I
+should have given immediately I saw you. That I _had_ forgotten, and if
+you don't believe me, I can't help it.'
+
+Her voice choked, and the tears rushed to her eyes, though with a strong
+effort she kept them from falling.
+
+Frances glanced at her, her face working with sympathy.
+
+Miss Mildmay seemed perplexed.
+
+'Only yesterday!' she said. 'I don't see how I have got this letter so
+quickly. I thought it was at least the day before.'
+
+'No,' said Frances, 'it was only yesterday. We went a long walk in the
+afternoon, and of course we didn't see you till this morning. We
+couldn't have told you till just now, and I thought--I think--I thought
+Jass was waiting to speak to you alone after breakfast.'
+
+'It wasn't that,' said Jacinth. 'If you want to know exactly why I
+didn't begin about it at breakfast, Aunt Alison, it was because I had a
+sort of idea or fancy that you had heard already from Lady Myrtle. I
+thought you looked just a little annoyed, and I kept expecting you to
+say something about it, and then, of course, I would have told you
+everything there was to tell.'
+
+Miss Alison Mildmay was severe, but she was not distrustful or
+suspicious, and the candour of the two girls was unmistakable.
+
+'I am sorry,' she said, 'to have judged you unfairly. Tell me the whole
+story now, and then I will read you what this eccentric old lady says.'
+
+She smiled a little.
+
+'That was just what she said you'd call her,' broke in Frances. 'But she
+said her letter would make you understand.'
+
+'Oh yes, of course it does, to a certain extent,' replied her aunt. Then
+her eyes fell on the envelope--'Miss Alison Mildmay.'
+
+'Considering I have lived twenty years at Thetford,' she said, rather
+bitterly, 'I think it, to say the least, unnecessary to address me like
+this, though of course I don't deny that it is, strictly speaking,
+correct.'
+
+Jacinth glanced at it.
+
+'I am sure'--she began. 'You don't think _I_ had anything to do with
+it?'
+
+'Oh no, I don't suppose you ever thought of it. But Lady Myrtle Goodacre
+has never seen fit to call upon me, so it is all of a piece. I really
+must not waste any more time, however; I have a dozen things waiting for
+me to do. You say it was yesterday afternoon?'
+
+'Yes,' said Jacinth. 'We went a long walk--to Aldersmere, and coming
+back, Eugene was tired and very thirsty, and he begged us to let him ask
+for a drink just as we were getting near Robin Redbreast, and the old
+lady heard us talking over the wall'----
+
+'And she heard Jass's name,' interrupted Frances, 'and'----
+
+'Let Jacinth tell it, if you please, Frances,' said Miss Mildmay.
+
+So Jacinth took up the story again, and related all that had happened.
+
+Her aunt listened attentively, her face softened.
+
+'I don't think I need read you what Lady Myrtle has written, after all,'
+she said, when Jacinth had finished speaking. 'I understand it well
+enough, and I have no doubt your father and mother would like you to go
+to Robin Redbreast now and then; of course, not to any extreme, or so as
+to interfere with your lessons or regular ways.'
+
+'Does Lady Myrtle ask you to go to see her too?' inquired Jacinth, half
+timidly.
+
+'Oh dear, no,' replied Miss Mildmay: 'she is straightforward enough. She
+does not pretend to want to make _my_ acquaintance, and after all why
+should she? She has had plenty of time to do so if she had wished it
+during all these years; and honestly,' and here again she smiled quite
+naturally, 'I don't want to know her. I have no time for fresh
+acquaintances. And her interest in you children, Jacinth especially, has
+nothing to do with our side. It is entirely connected with the
+Morelands.'
+
+'I wonder how she and our grandmother came to be such friends,' said
+Jacinth. 'Lady Myrtle's old home was near here, and the Morelands didn't
+belong to this neighbourhood.'
+
+'No, but the Elvedons have another place in the north near your
+grandmother's old home,' said Miss Mildmay, who was very well posted up
+in such matters. 'They have never lived all the year round at Elvedon, I
+fancy, and now of course it is let.'
+
+'Lady Myrtle's name used to be Harper, she told us,' said Frances, who
+never cared to be very long left out of the conversation, 'and there are
+some girls called Harper at our school. But Jacinth says it's quite a
+common name.'
+
+'No, Frances, I didn't say that,' said Jacinth. 'I said it wasn't an
+_un_common name; that sounds quite different.'
+
+'Possibly the Harpers at Miss Scarlett's may be some
+connection--distant, probably--of the Elvedons,' said Miss Mildmay,
+carelessly. 'But of course it is not, as Jacinth says, an uncommon
+name.'
+
+But her remark set Frances's imagination to work.
+
+'They are very, _very_ nice girls--the nicest at the school,' she said.
+'Their names are Bessie and Margaret. If you could only see them, Aunt
+Alison! I do _so_ wish you would let us ask them to tea some Saturday.'
+
+'Nonsense, child,' said Miss Mildmay, impatiently. 'I cannot begin
+things of that kind, as you might understand. You have companionship at
+school, and when you are at home you must be content with your own
+society. Now you must leave me: I have to see the cook, and I have made
+myself late already.'
+
+'Frances,' said Jacinth on their way up-stairs to their own little
+sitting-room, 'I do think you are the _silliest_ girl I ever knew. Just
+after all that discussion--and I can tell you I was shaking in my shoes
+for ever so long--just when it had ended so well, you must go and vex
+Aunt Alison by wanting to have the Harpers here at tea. I think you are
+absurd about those girls, as you always are about new friends. _I_ don't
+want them here at tea, or at anything.'
+
+'Well, I do, then, or rather I did,' said Frances doggedly. 'That's just
+all the difference. No girls have as dull a life as we have.'
+
+'It's a very silly time for you to begin complaining, just when we have
+a chance of some amusement and change,' said Jacinth. 'I'm almost sure
+Lady Myrtle will ask us to spend the day, or something like that, very
+soon.'
+
+'I don't want to go. It's you she cares for, and you may keep her to
+yourself,' said Frances, waxing more and more cross. 'I wish I was a
+boarder at school. I'd like it far better than being always scolded by
+you.'
+
+It was not often that Frances so rebelled, or that their small squabbles
+went so nearly the length of a quarrel. But this morning there seemed
+disturbance in the air; and to add to it, when Frances had finished her
+English lessons, and was about to begin her French translation, she
+found, to her dismay, that she had forgotten to bring an important book
+home with her.
+
+'What _shall_ I do?' she exclaimed, forgetting, in her distress, the
+unfriendly state of feeling between herself and her sister. 'I really
+must have it, or I shall miss all my marks in the French class, and you
+know, Jacinth, I had set my heart on getting the prize.'
+
+Jacinth's sympathy was aroused. She herself was in a higher class than
+her sister, but she was greatly interested in Frances's success. For
+Frances was rather a giddy little person. Till the companionship and
+emulation at school had roused her, she had never bestowed more
+attention on her lessons than was absolutely unavoidable.
+
+'I don't know what to do,' said the elder girl after some reflection. 'I
+don't see how you are to get the book till Monday.'
+
+For there was a strict rule at the school, that day-scholars were
+neither to go there nor to send messages from their homes, out of school
+hours. So that forgettings of books required for preparation, or other
+carelessnesses of the kind, became serious matters.
+
+'If I don't get it till I go to school on Monday, I needn't get it at
+all,' said Frances. 'There's no comfort in telling me that. You know the
+class _is_ on Monday morning, so I've as good as lost my chance already,
+and I needn't bother about it any more. I'll never try for a prize
+again, I know that.'
+
+She began to hum a tune in a would-be-indifferent, reckless way, but
+Jacinth knew that this was only bravado, and that it would be followed
+by great vexation of spirit, and she felt sorry and anxious.
+
+'I'll tell you what, Frances,' she said at last, after sitting for some
+time, her head resting on her hand, her own work at a standstill for the
+moment--'I'll tell you what: the only plan is this--for you to go
+straight to Miss Scarlett herself and tell her all about your having
+forgotten the book, and how anxious you are about the prize. I daresay
+she'd let you go to your shelf and fetch it; she would see you had not
+broken her rule.'
+
+It was a good idea, and Frances recognised this, but all the same she
+did not like it at all.
+
+'I'd have to go to the front-door,' she said reluctantly, as she sat
+drumming her fingers on the table, 'and I can't go alone.'
+
+'There's no need for you to go alone: take Phebe. Aunt Alison wouldn't
+mind your taking her in the morning for once. I'll help her to put away
+our things from the laundress, or whatever it is she's busy about. And I
+think you'd better go at once, Frances, if you're going.'
+
+'Aunt Alison won't be in till dinner-time, so I can't go till after
+then,' said Frances.
+
+'Yes, you can,' Jacinth persisted. 'You know you can. I undertake to put
+it all right with Aunt Alison. Do go at once. If I have half an hour
+quietly to myself, I shall have finished my lessons by the time you come
+in--it won't take you more than half an hour--and then I can help
+Phebe.'
+
+'If I could see Miss Marcia Scarlett I shouldn't mind so much,' next
+said Frances, still irresolutely.
+
+Jacinth's patience began to give way.
+
+'You are too bad, Frances,' she said. 'You are spoiling my work and
+losing any chance you have of getting the book. If you wait till the
+afternoon, most likely all the Miss Scarletts will be out or engaged,
+and I rather think--yes, I am sure the boarders told me that the
+school-books are locked up at noon on Saturday till Monday morning. Ask
+for Miss Marcia, if you like; you've just as good a chance of seeing her
+as the others. But you must decide. Are you going or not?'
+
+Frances got up slowly from her seat and moved towards the door.
+
+'I suppose I must,' she said in a martyrised tone. 'You do scurry one
+so, Jacinth.' And then when, having borne this certainly unmerited
+reproach in silence, Jacinth with relief heard the door close on her
+sister and began to hope she was going to have a little peace, it was
+opened again sufficiently to admit Frances's fluffy head, while she
+asked, in a half-grumbling, half-conciliatory tone, if she might take
+Eugene.
+
+'Of course,' said Jacinth; 'a little fresh air in the morning is always
+good for him.'
+
+She heard no more except, ten minutes or so later, the closing of the
+front-door, and the next three-quarters of an hour passed, rapidly, so
+absorbed was she in her own work, till the old church clock striking
+twelve--for St Blaise's in the Market Square was but a stone's-throw
+from Miss Mildmay's house--made her look up suddenly, and at that moment
+came a rushing of eager feet across the stone-tiled hall, quickly
+followed by Frances's voice in great excitement.
+
+'Jacinth, Jass!' she exclaimed, and almost before the elder girl had
+time to say to herself, 'I do hope nothing has gone wrong,' her sister's
+bright face reassured her.
+
+Frances was like a veritable April day--gloom and sparkle, tears and
+laughter, succeeded each other with her as swiftly as the clouds rushing
+before the wind alternately veil and reveal the sun's bright face,
+though underneath all this fitfulness and caprice lay a sturdy
+foundation of principle and loyalty which circumstances, so far, had
+scarcely brought out, and which Jacinth certainly did not as yet realise
+or appreciate.
+
+'Oh Jass,' exclaimed the little girl, 'I am so glad I went. _Such_ a
+nice thing has happened! I saw Miss Marcia--I asked for her at the door,
+and she was crossing the hall; wasn't it lucky? She _was_ so kind about
+the book, and she took me herself to the big schoolroom to fetch it.
+None of the girls were there--it looked so funny all empty, you can't
+think--they were out in the garden. And Jass, to-day they 're going to
+have their last out-of-doors tea for this year, you know, as it's
+getting cold. They have tea in the garden every fortnight all through
+the fine weather. And she invited _me_, Jass--just fancy! She said she
+was sure you wouldn't mind, as it's quite an extra thing to invite a
+day-scholar, you see, and'----
+
+Here Frances was forced to take breath, and Jacinth got a chance of
+putting in a word.
+
+'Of course I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm very glad indeed, _very_ glad
+for you to have a little fun. And we couldn't have gone much of a walk
+this afternoon, as Eugene is still tired with yesterday.'
+
+'And you think Aunt Alison will let me go?' said Frances.
+
+'Oh yes, I'm sure she will. If you will get on with your lessons now,
+Frances, so as to be able to say at dinner that you have quite finished,
+I will go down-stairs and watch for Aunt Alison. She will be in by one,
+to-day, and I'll ask her for you.'
+
+'Oh thank you, Jass,' said Frances gratefully. 'Yes, I'll hurry up.
+But--Jass'----
+
+'Well?'
+
+Francie's face grew very grave.
+
+'It's about my things, Jass. What do you think I should wear? I'm so
+afraid Aunt Alison will be vexed if I put on my best things--and of
+course black frocks do get spoilt if one runs about much--and yet my
+every-day frock is so shabby now, and--I don't want the girls to think
+we're never properly dressed.'
+
+Jacinth considered. They were still in deep mourning, for Miss Mildmay's
+ideas on such subjects were 'old-fashioned,' and she quite recognised
+that the late Mrs Denison's memory should be treated with the fullest
+respect. But Jacinth sympathised with Frances's feelings.
+
+'I was looking at our dark-gray frocks with Phebe the other day,' she
+said. 'The ones we had new just before--before our mourning. You know
+they were got for half-mourning because of old Sir George
+Mildmay's--papa's uncle's--death, and they look quite fresh and nice. I
+don't think you've grown much, Francie--and oh, by-the-bye, I believe
+there's a tuck that could be let down.'
+
+'Yes,' said Frances, 'there are little tucks--a lot--above the hem.'
+
+'Then I'll run up and tell Phebe to get them out, yours at least. I'll
+explain to Aunt Alison; and if I lend you my wide black sash, I'm sure
+it will look quite mourning enough.'
+
+'Oh Jass,' exclaimed Frances, '_how_ good of you!'
+
+The honour and glory of Jacinth's best black sash was almost too much
+for her.
+
+'Really, I should never be cross to Jass. She is so very, very kind and
+unselfish,' thought the grateful little girl.
+
+The gray frock was looked out and soon got ready. It was lying on a
+chair in the girls' room when Jacinth, a little before half-past one, at
+last heard her aunt's step in the hall, and ran forward to meet her,
+primed with her request.
+
+Miss Mildmay was still in a somewhat conciliatory mood, and she listened
+to Jacinth's story with as much kindliness as was in her nature to show.
+
+'Yes,' she said, 'I suppose she may as well go, though you know, my
+dear, I cannot encourage any schoolgirl friendships. It would be
+impossible for me to invite other children here, and yet I could not
+accept attentions for you which I could not return.'
+
+'But this is different, being at Miss Scarlett's, where we go to school.
+You didn't mind our going to the breaking-up party before the midsummer
+holiday,' said Jacinth, trembling a little at the irresolution in her
+aunt's face.
+
+'Oh, I don't mean to stop her going,' said Miss Mildmay. 'It is very
+nice of you to be so eager for Frances to have the little pleasure. But
+just warn her, if you can, not to get too intimate with the other girls.
+It will only cause trouble and annoyance. Frances is an impulsive
+little creature, but she is old enough to understand that she should be
+discreet. The worst of any girls' school, even the best, is the chatter
+and gossip that go on.'
+
+'I have often warned Frances about that kind of thing,' said Jacinth.
+'The girls are all very nice and lady-like, but of course we don't see
+very much of them; it is not as if we were boarders. Francie is more
+sensible about making friends than she was at first. The only two she
+really likes _very_ much are the Harpers--Bessie and Margaret
+Harper--the girls she was speaking of to you.'
+
+'They are nice girls, I believe,' said Miss Mildmay. 'Miss Scarlett told
+me about them. I don't think we need discourage her friendship with
+them. After all, any gossip one would dislike is more probable with the
+other day-scholars, and you have not much to do with them, I think.'
+
+'There are so few compared with the boarders,' said Jacinth, 'and
+they're all great friends together. I don't think any of them are
+particularly interesting. Thank you so much, Aunt Alison, for letting
+Frances go. I'll run and tell her, she will be so delighted.'
+
+And so she was, delighted and grateful, so that she took in good part
+the little lecture Jacinth proceeded to give her in accordance with her
+aunt's wish.
+
+'I _am_ careful, I really am, Jass,' she maintained. 'I don't care a bit
+for any of the day-scholars. They are rather common just because they
+think they're not, and they do _so_ look down on Miss Green's scholars.
+It's quite absurd. The only girls I really care for are the Harpers,
+and--well, a little for Prissy Beckingham, though she's rather silly.'
+
+'It's the day-scholars Aunt Alison doesn't want you to be great friends
+with,' said Jacinth. 'In a little place like this, there's always a lot
+of chatter. She knows the Harpers are nice girls.'
+
+'Well, that's all I want,' said Frances, with satisfaction. 'I don't
+want a lot of friends. Bessie and Margaret are quite enough for me--and
+you, Jass. If I hadn't any one but you I should be content, especially
+when you're so very kind to me as you've been to-day.'
+
+And at the appointed time, Frances made her appearance dressed for her
+garden party, in great spirits, very conscious of the grand effect of
+her sister's best black silk sash.
+
+'And what are you going to do with yourself, Jacinth?' inquired her
+aunt, who happened to be crossing the hall at the moment that the two
+girls came running down--Frances ready to start. 'Are you and Eugene
+going a walk? or have you lessons to do still?'
+
+'No, I finished them all this morning, and Eugene is tired. I don't
+quite know what I'm going to do,' said Jacinth.
+
+She was not the least of a complaining nature; she had no thought of
+complaining just then, but as Miss Mildmay's glance fell on the young
+figure standing there so interested in her sister's pleasure, it struck
+her almost for the first time, in any thorough way, that the life with
+her here at Thetford was somewhat lonely for her nieces, and that it was
+not by any means every girl of Jacinth's age who would accommodate
+herself to it so contentedly.
+
+'It is always a pity when parents and children have to be separated,'
+she said to herself. 'It is unnatural. It should not have to be. From
+the effects of such a separation in my childhood, I believe I have
+suffered ever since. It made me hard and unable to understand family
+life as I might have done.'
+
+And her tone was unusually kind and gentle when she spoke again.
+
+'Would you care'----she began. 'I scarcely think you would, but would
+you care to come with me for once in a way to our girls' club? I shall
+be there all the afternoon giving out the lending-library books, and a
+good many volumes need re-covering. I could find you plenty to do, and
+we can have a cup of tea there.'
+
+'Oh, I should like to come--very much,' said Jacinth, eagerly.
+
+Miss Mildmay seemed pleased.
+
+'Well, I think I had better make sure of you while I can have you for
+this one Saturday afternoon,' she said. 'In future I shall not be
+surprised if you spend Saturdays often with your old lady at Robin
+Redbreast. I have written to her, Jacinth. I am just going to post the
+letter.'
+
+'Oh, thank you,' said the girl.--'Good-bye, Francie; you see I shall not
+be dull without you,' and the two kissed each other affectionately.
+
+Then Frances, escorted by Phebe, set off, and Jacinth ran up-stairs to
+get ready for her expedition with her aunt.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+AN OLD STORY.
+
+
+That Saturday afternoon passed very pleasantly for both the sisters.
+Jacinth earned her aunt's commendation by her quick neat-handedness and
+accuracy, and a modicum of praise from Miss Mildmay meant a good deal.
+The little misunderstanding of the morning, ending as it had done in
+making the aunt, an essentially just woman, blame herself for hasty
+judgment, had drawn her and her elder niece closer together than had yet
+been the case. And no doubt there was a substratum of resemblance in
+their natures, deeper and more real than the curious capricious likeness
+which had struck Marmaduke so oddly--which was indeed perhaps but a
+casual coming to the surface of a real underlying similarity.
+
+Things were turning out quite other than the young uncle in his anxiety
+had anticipated.
+
+'If fate had sent me Jacinth alone,' thought Miss Mildmay, 'I rather
+think we should have got on very well, and have fitted into each other's
+ways. There is so much more in her than in Frances. I strongly suspect,
+in spite of her looks, that Jacinth takes after our side of the
+house--she almost seems older than Eugenia in some ways--whereas
+Frances, I suppose, is her mother over again.'
+
+But here she checked herself. Any implied disparagement of her
+sister-in-law she did not, even in her secret thoughts, intend or
+encourage, for Alison Mildmay was truly and firmly attached to her
+brother's wife, widely different though their characters were.
+
+'Frances is really only a baby,' she went on thinking. 'There's no
+telling as yet what she will turn out.'
+
+Jacinth on her side was conscious of a good deal of congeniality between
+herself and her aunt. It was not the congeniality of affection, often
+all the stronger for a certain amount of intellectual dissimilarity, or
+differences of temperament, thus leaving scope for complementary
+qualities which love welds together and cements; it was scarcely even
+that of friendliness. It consisted in a certain satisfaction and
+approval of Miss Mildmay's ways of seeing and doing things. The girl
+felt positive pleasure in her aunt's perfect 'method;' in the clear and
+well-considered manner in which her time was mapped out; in the quick
+discrimination with which she divined what would be the right place and
+treatment for each girl in her club; even in the beautiful order of the
+book-shelves and the neat clerk-like writing of the savings-bank
+entries. It was all so complete and accurate, with no loose ends left
+about--all so perfect in its way, thought Jacinth, as she cut and folded
+and manipulated the brown paper entrusted to her charge for the books'
+new coats, rewarded by her aunt's 'Very nice--very nice indeed, my
+dear,' when it was time to go home, and she pointed out the neat little
+pile of clean tidy volumes.
+
+Frances on her side had enjoyed herself greatly. She was the only
+outsider, otherwise day-scholar, at the garden tea, which fact in no way
+lessened her satisfaction while it increased her importance.
+
+'I wish you were a boarder, Frances,' said Margaret Harper, the younger
+of her two friends, as they were walking up and down a shady path in
+the intervals of the games all the girls had joined in. 'Don't you? It
+would be so nice, and I am sure we should be great, _great_ friends--you
+and Bessie and I.'
+
+'And not Jass?' said Frances. 'I shouldn't like to be a boarder unless
+Jass was too. Then, I daresay, I wouldn't mind.'
+
+'We'd like to be friends with Jacinth too,' said Margaret, 'but Bessie
+and I don't think she cares very much about being great friends. She
+seems so much older, though she's only a year more than Bessie, isn't
+she?'
+
+'She's fifteen,' said Frances. 'She is old in some ways, but still she
+and I do everything nearly together. She's very good to me. She's very
+nice about you, and I'm quite happy about having you and Bessie for my
+best friends, for Jacinth and Aunt Alison think you're the nicest girls
+here.'
+
+Margaret coloured with pleasure, but with some shyness too.
+
+'I'm glad they think we're nice,' she said; 'and I'm sure, if your aunt
+knew father and mother, they'd think we _should_ be far, far better than
+we are, at least than I am. I don't think Bessie _could_ be much better
+than she is. But a good many others of the girls are very nice indeed;
+they are none of them not nice, except that Prissy Beckingham talks too
+much and says rather rude things without meaning it, and Laura French
+certainly has a very bad temper. But she's always sorry for it
+afterwards. And who could be nicer than the Eves or Honor Falmouth.'
+
+'I don't know them much; they're too big for me, you see,' said Frances.
+'Of course I'd know them better if we were boarders. Do you like my gray
+frock, Margaret? It's the first day I've had on anything but black for
+such a time; it does feel so funny.'
+
+'I think it's very pretty, and you've got such a beautiful sash!' said
+Margaret admiringly. 'But I always think you and Jacinth are so nicely
+dressed, even though you've been in black all the time. Bessie and I
+can't have anything but very plain frocks, you know. Mother couldn't
+afford it, for we're not _at all_ rich.'
+
+'I don't fancy we are, either,' said Frances; 'I shouldn't think papa
+would stay out in India if we were. But at Stannesley, where we lived
+before, granny always got us very nice dresses: she used often to send
+to London for them. I don't believe Aunt Alison will care so much how we
+are dressed. Do you have an allowance for your gloves, Margaret? We do.
+I got a new pair yesterday, but I'm afraid they're not very good; where
+are they, I wonder? Oh yes, here in my pocket; there are little whity
+marks in the black kid already, as if they were going to split.'
+
+She drew the gloves out, as she spoke, but with them came something
+else--a doubled-up, rather soiled white card.
+
+'What's this?' said Frances, as she unfolded it. 'Oh, I declare! Just
+look, Margaret--it's an old Christmas card of last year. I remember one
+of the children gave it me at the Sunday school, and I've never had this
+frock on since. Isn't it strange?'
+
+She stood looking at the card--an ordinary enough little picture of a
+robin on a bough, with 'Merry Christmas' in one corner--a mixture of
+sadness and almost reverence in her young face. 'Last Christmas' seemed
+so very long ago to Frances. And indeed, so much had happened since then
+to change things for herself and her brother and sister, that it did
+naturally seem like looking back to the other side of a lifetime to
+recall the circumstances which then surrounded them. How well she
+remembered that very Sunday, the last of the old year; how they had
+chattered and laughed as they ran home over the frosty ground, and Uncle
+Marmaduke, who had just joined them, had predicted skating before the
+week was out! How tenderly granny had kissed them that night when they
+went to bed, with some little remark about the ending of the year, and
+how the next morning she was not well enough to get up, anxious though
+she was in no way to cloud or damp their enjoyment; and how the doctor
+had begun to come every day, and then--and then----The tears started to
+Frances's eyes as she seemed to live through it all again, and for a
+moment or two she did not speak; she forgot that Margaret was standing
+beside her with sympathising face.
+
+'Dear Frances,' she said, 'does it remind you of something sad? Has it
+to do with when you went into mourning?'
+
+'Yes,' said Frances, 'it was soon after last Christmas that granny--our
+grandmother that we lived with--got ill and died, you know, Margaret.
+It's for her we are still in mourning.'
+
+'And you were very fond of her, of course?' said Margaret.
+
+'Very, _very_,' said Frances.
+
+Then she almost seemed anxious to change the subject: she was afraid of
+beginning to cry, which 'before all the girls' would have certainly been
+ill-timed. And her glance fell on the card in her hand.
+
+'Robin Redbreast,' she said consideringly. 'Margaret, have you ever
+passed that lovely old house, down the lane on the Crickthorne Road,
+that's called "Robin Redbreast?" The bird on the card reminded me of it
+just now.'
+
+'Oh yes,' said Margaret rather eagerly. 'I know it quite well. Once or
+twice Bessie and I have stood at the gate and looked in. Isn't it a
+delicious quaint old place?'
+
+'It's perfectly beautiful,' said Frances. 'You can't think what it looks
+like from the inside.'
+
+'Have you ever been inside?' questioned Margaret, evidently intensely
+interested. 'Do tell me about it.'
+
+Frances glanced round, as if to make sure that no one was within
+hearing, partly perhaps from a feeling that Jacinth would not have liked
+her to go 'chattering' about their yesterday's adventure, partly from a
+childish love of importance and mystery.
+
+'Is it anything you shouldn't tell me, perhaps?' said Margaret, with
+quick delicacy. 'Don't mind my having asked you; it wasn't--it wasn't
+exactly curiosity, Frances.'
+
+And Frances, glancing at her friend, saw that her face had reddened all
+over. Margaret was not a pretty child, but she was very sweet-looking,
+with honest gray eyes and smooth brown hair. Her features were good, but
+the cheeks were less round than one likes to see at her age; there was a
+rather wistful expression about the whole face, almost suggesting
+premature cares and anxiety.
+
+'Oh no, dear,' said Frances reassuringly. 'It's not that. It _was_
+rather queer, and you see we weren't quite sure at first how Aunt Alison
+was going to take it. And Jacinth is always rather down upon me for
+talking too much. But I know I may tell _you_, for it's quite fixed that
+you and Bessie are to be my best friends: it's the day-scholars that
+Aunt Alison doesn't want me to talk much to.'
+
+'Yes,' agreed Margaret, 'I quite understand.'
+
+[Illustration: And then Frances related the whole, Margaret listening
+intently till almost the end.]
+
+She was in a fever, poor child, and from no selfish motive assuredly, to
+hear more about the mysterious house. But she restrained herself,
+scrupulously careful in no way to force the other's confidence.
+
+'When I said what Robin Redbreast looked like from the inside, I meant
+from inside the gates,' began Frances, after a moment or two's
+reflection. For she was scrupulously truthful. 'I've not been inside the
+house--not farther than the porch. But the porch is like a little room,
+it _is_ so pretty. I'll tell you how it all was; you may tell Bessie,
+but not any one else, because, you see, there's quite a story about it.'
+
+And then Frances related the whole, Margaret listening intently till
+almost the end, when the little narrator, stopping for a moment to take
+breath, after 'So you see our grandmother was her very dearest friend,
+and she really seemed as if she could scarcely bear to let Jacinth go,
+and--_isn't_ it like a real story?' saw, to her surprise, that her
+hearer's face, instead of being rosier than usual, had now grown quite
+pale.
+
+'Why, Margaret, what's the matter? You look as if I had been telling you
+a ghost-story, you're so white,' she exclaimed.
+
+Margaret gave a little gasp.
+
+'It is so strange,' she said. 'I'll tell you why it has made me feel so
+queer. Mine is a sort of a secret, Frances; at least when we came here
+to school mother told us not to talk about it. But I know I can trust
+you, and what you've told me makes it seem as if somehow--I don't know
+how to say what I mean--as if we must be a sort of relation to each
+other, from our people long ago having been such friends. For, do you
+know, Frances, Lady Myrtle Goodacre is our aunt--our great-aunt, that is
+to say--father's own aunt?'
+
+Frances stopped short and _almost_ clapped her hands.
+
+'There now,' she said, 'I had a feeling there was something like that. I
+_wish_ Jacinth hadn't stopped my speaking of you, when Lady Myrtle told
+us her name used to be Harper.'
+
+'Were you going to speak of us?' asked Margaret.
+
+'Yes, it was on the very tip of my tongue. Indeed I believe I did get as
+far as "There are some," when Jacinth stopped me. She said afterwards
+that it is "common," when any one mentions a name, to say immediately,
+"Oh, _I_ know somebody called that." I don't quite see why it should be
+common; it's rather interesting, I think. Still I daresay it's true that
+common people often do speak like that, when you come to think of it.
+They've always got an aunt, or a cousin, or a friend's friend called
+so-and-so, or living somewhere, if you mention a place.'
+
+'I daresay they do,' said Margaret; but she seemed to be giving only
+half her attention. 'Frances,' she went on, 'I wonder what would have
+happened if you _had_ spoken of us? I wonder if Lady Myrtle would have
+taken any notice?'
+
+Frances stared.
+
+'Of course she would!' she exclaimed. 'Do you mean to say she wouldn't
+have taken any notice of hearing that her own grand-nieces were so near
+her? Why, she'----But suddenly the actual state of the case struck her.
+'Do you--does she _not_ know you're here?' she went on, raising her blue
+eyes in bewilderment to Margaret's face. 'No, I suppose she doesn't, or
+of course you would be asked to Robin Redbreast on holidays and all that
+sort of thing.'
+
+'No,' Margaret replied, 'she doesn't know anything about us. I'm not
+even sure that she knows of our existence; anyway she has never heard
+our names, or how many of us there are, and I can't believe she really
+understands how--how very poor we are. For she is very, very rich, you
+know, Frances, though she lives in that quiet way.'
+
+'_Is_ she?' said Frances. 'I do wish I had spoken of you, whether it was
+"common" or not.'
+
+'She mightn't have thought that we were any relation,' said Margaret,
+simply. 'Harper isn't a very particular name. And you see we're not very
+near to the head of the family now. Lord Elvedon is only father's
+cousin, and they never stay near here. Father and mother see them
+sometimes in London, but they've got a very large family, and they're
+not rich--not _extra_ rich themselves; for the one before this Lord
+Elvedon, the one who was father's uncle, you see, was very extravagant,
+though it was mostly his brother's fault--that was our grandfather. His
+name was Bernard Harper, and'----
+
+'It's awfully interesting,' said Frances, 'but I'm afraid I'm getting
+rather muddled. Your _grandfather_--what was he, then, to Lady Myrtle?'
+
+'I'll begin at the other end,' said Margaret; 'that will make it
+plainer. There was a Lord Elvedon who had two sons and a daughter; the
+daughter was Lady Myrtle. The sons were younger than the daughter, and
+they were both extravagant. The elder one was a weaker character than
+his brother, and quite led by him, and before their father died they had
+already wasted a lot of money, and given him a great deal of trouble,
+especially Bernard, the second one. So old Lord Elvedon left all he
+_could_ to his daughter, Lady Myrtle; of course the estates and a good
+deal had to go with the title, but still the new Lord Elvedon was much
+less rich than he should have been, you see, and our grandfather--that
+was the son called Bernard--was really poor, and his children, our
+father and his sisters, have always been poor. Father says a good deal
+will go back to the title when Lady Myrtle dies, and she is quite
+friends with the present Lord Elvedon, her nephew. But she couldn't bear
+her brother Bernard--I believe he behaved very badly to her and to all
+his people--and she has never taken the least notice of father, though
+father is really a sort of an angel;' and Margaret's eyes glistened.
+'You know it is like that sometimes,' she went on; 'a bad father--and I
+am afraid our grandfather was a bad man, though I don't quite like
+saying it--sometimes has very good children.'
+
+'But Lady Myrtle _can't_ know about you all--about your father
+especially,' said Frances. 'I think he should write to her, or do
+something. Very likely she's got quite wrong ideas about him.'
+
+'No,' said Margaret, 'she must know he is a very good man. He was in the
+army, you know, like your father, and he was very brave and did lots of
+things, but he had to leave because of a wound, when he was only a
+captain. When he and mother married he hoped to stay on till he became a
+general, and at first they weren't so badly off, for mother had some
+money. But a good deal of it was lost somehow.'
+
+'I do think Lady Myrtle should be told--I really do,' said Frances,
+stopping short and speaking with great energy.
+
+But Margaret only shook her head.
+
+'She does know a good deal,' she said. 'We are sure she does, for some
+years ago my aunt--that's father's only sister--the other died quite
+young--wrote to her about us. Aunt Flora isn't badly off in a way, for
+she has no children, and her husband is a judge in India. But she can't
+do much for us, and--you see it's her husband's money; it isn't as if it
+was a relation of _ours_.'
+
+Frances had never thought of things in this way; she was years and years
+younger in mind, or rather in experience and knowledge of life, than
+Margaret Harper, her junior by nearly twelve months. For Margaret with
+her older brothers and sisters had early had to face practical
+difficulties and troubles, the very existence of which was unknown to
+her young companion.
+
+'It's a shame--a regular shame; that's what it is!' said Frances
+vehemently, her face flushing with indignation, 'and something should be
+done.'
+
+Just at that moment a figure came running towards them. It was Bessie,
+the elder of the Harper girls.
+
+'Margaret, Frances, where have you been? what have you been doing all
+this time?' she exclaimed. 'We've had ever so many games, and now tea
+will be ready directly. What are you looking so mournful about,
+Margaret, and you so excited, Frances? You haven't--oh no, you couldn't
+have been quarrelling.'
+
+The smile on both faces was sufficient answer--no, certainly they had
+not been quarrelling!
+
+'What have you been talking about, then?' said Bessie again, and she
+looked at them with considerable curiosity.
+
+Bessie was two years older than her sister. She was handsomer too, and
+much stronger. There was a bright, fearless, resolute look about her,
+very attractive and prepossessing. But she was less intellectual, less
+thoughtful, more joyous and confident, though tenderly and devotedly
+unselfish to those she loved, especially to all weak and dependent
+creatures.
+
+'Margaret has been telling me _such_ interesting things,' began Frances
+eagerly.
+
+'And Frances has been telling _me_ about--about Lady Myrtle and Robin
+Redbreast. Just fancy, Bessie, they know her! She was a very, very old
+friend of their grandmother's.'
+
+And between them the two girls soon put the elder one in possession of
+all they had been discussing.
+
+Bessie Harper's bright face grew grave; she could not blame her sister
+and Frances, but still, on the whole, she almost wished the discovery
+had not been made, though 'it was bound to come some time or other, I
+suppose,' she reflected.
+
+'I call it a perfect shame!' said Frances, her cheeks flaming up again.
+'To think of that horrid old woman having more money than she knows what
+to do with, and keeping it all to herself, when it _really_ belongs--a
+good part of it, at least--to your father.'
+
+'No, no,' said Bessie, 'we can't say that. Our great-grandfather had a
+right to do what he did with his money. And if he _had_ left it to our
+grandfather, it would all have been wasted, most likely.'
+
+'If he had known how good _father_ was going to be, he'd have left it to
+him, I daresay,' said Margaret.
+
+'He couldn't have known that,' said Bessie with a merry laugh. 'Father
+wasn't born when he died.'
+
+'No, but just because of that, Lady Myrtle should make up for it now,'
+said Frances. 'I daresay I shouldn't call her "horrid," and of course
+she's your aunt, and I can scarcely believe she _does_ know all about
+you. Perhaps she never got your other aunt's letter.'
+
+'Oh yes, she did,' said Bessie. 'She answered it by sending it back
+with a note saying that none of the descendants of the late Bernard
+Harper were kith or kin of hers.'
+
+'How wicked!' exclaimed Frances.
+
+'No, no, it's not right to say that, Frances dear,' said both sisters.
+'Father says,' Bessie went on, 'that no one knows what her brothers made
+her suffer, and how good she was to them, standing between them and her
+father, and devoting herself to them, and hoping against hope, even
+about our grandfather, till I suppose she _had_ to give him up. It is
+awfully sad, and for her sake as well as ours, mother and I have often
+said how we wished she knew father. He would make up to her for the
+disappointment in her brothers.'
+
+'Isn't Lord Elvedon nice?' asked Frances; 'that's her other nephew,
+isn't he?'
+
+'Oh yes, I think he's a good sort of a man, but not clever,' said
+Bessie. 'Not like _father_.'
+
+'And then our boys,' added Margaret. 'They are so good and so clever.'
+
+Her pale little face flushed with rosy pleasure.
+
+'How nice!' said Frances, with ready sympathy. 'How many brothers have
+you?'
+
+'Two big--older than we are, and one little one of eleven. There are six
+of us,' Margaret replied.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+BESSIE'S MISGIVINGS.
+
+
+But just then came the sound of approaching voices.
+
+'Bessie, Bessie, where are you? Haven't you found them? Tea's quite
+ready.'
+
+And Bessie started. She had forgotten the errand on which she had come.
+
+'Oh, we must be quick!' she said. 'That's Honor and the others calling
+us; I forgot how the time was going. But Frances, I must speak to you
+for a moment before you go. Don't forget.'
+
+And then the three ran off to rejoin their companions.
+
+Never had Frances enjoyed herself more, her only regret being that
+Jacinth was not there to share her pleasure. There was the element of
+novelty to add zest to the whole, and then as the 'boarders' looked upon
+her as in some sense their guest, they vied with each other in making
+much of her--for her own sake too, for Frances was a great favourite, a
+much greater favourite than her sister, among their companions. It is to
+be doubted if Frances would have enjoyed herself quite as much had
+Jacinth been with her. For not only did Jacinth's rather cold, stand-off
+manner destroy any geniality towards herself; it often acted on Frances
+as a sort of tacit reproach to her own overflowing spirits.
+
+And through all the little girl's fun and merriment there ran the
+consciousness of the trust reposed in her by the Harpers. She was full
+of intense interest in their family history; it was really quite like a
+story in a book, she kept saying to herself, and she felt bursting with
+eagerness to relate it all to Jacinth.
+
+How good and delightful they must all be, Bessie and Margaret's father
+and mother, and brothers and sisters! It was easy to believe it, the
+girls were so nice themselves! How lovely it would be if, somehow, she,
+or Jacinth and she, could be the means of healing the family breach and
+introducing her relations to Lady Myrtle, so that in the end they might
+be restored to their lost rights. For 'rights' Frances was determined to
+consider them, in her vehement young judgment and hot partisanship of
+her friends.
+
+'It is not fair or just!' she said to herself; 'it is shameful that they
+and their father should suffer for their _grandfather's_ fault. But
+nobody could help seeing how good they are: if only Lady Myrtle knew
+them it would all be right. I wonder how would be the best way to tell
+her? Jacinth will know--she is so much cleverer than I, and then she is
+sure to be Lady Myrtle's favourite. I am glad she is, for in spite of
+what Bessie and Margaret say, I don't feel as if I could ever like that
+old lady.'
+
+And her eagerness to go home and talk it all over with 'Jass,' made her,
+notwithstanding her enjoyment of the afternoon, scarcely sorry when one
+of Miss Scarlett's servants came out to tell her that her maid had
+called to fetch her.
+
+She said good-bye to her companions and ran in for a moment, by old Miss
+Scarlett's special desire, to the drawing-room, where the ladies were
+sitting. They kissed her affectionately.
+
+'I've been so happy,' she said. 'We've had such beautiful games; I've
+not had such fun for ever so long.'
+
+'I am so glad, my dear child,' said the eldest lady, and she smoothed
+the little girl's soft hair. 'You must come again and see something of
+your companions out of lesson hours as well as in the schoolroom.'
+
+Frances's eyes sparkled with pleasure.
+
+'I would like it very much,' she said.
+
+'What is your sister about this afternoon?' said Miss Marcia. 'Perhaps
+she does not care so much about games and romping as you do?'
+
+'No, she doesn't,' replied Frances, bluntly. 'This afternoon she's gone
+with Aunt Alison to the girls' club.'
+
+'Very nice,' said Miss Scarlett, approvingly. 'Jacinth is a thoughtful
+girl and older than her years, in some ways. Is she interested already
+in Miss Mildmay's good works?'
+
+The old lady was pleased to hear of any bond of sympathy likely to draw
+the aunt and niece together, for much as she respected Miss Mildmay, she
+had had strong doubts of her fitness for the charge of the girls, and
+considerable misgivings as to their happiness with her. And Miss
+Scarlett was old-fashioned, and but for her native kindliness of _heart_
+she might almost have been prejudiced and narrow-minded. She scarcely
+belonged to the present generation. Her youth had been passed in a
+somewhat restricted groove, where the Lady Bountiful notions of
+benevolent work among the poor were still predominant. Her sisters, a
+good many years her juniors, had to a certain extent assimilated modern
+ideas.
+
+Frances hesitated. She could not bear in the least to decry her dear
+'Jass,' and yet she knew that her sister had so far troubled her head
+very little, if at all, about her aunt's girls' club or other
+philanthropic undertakings.
+
+'Aunt Alison doesn't tell us much about all these things,' she said.
+'To-day was the first time she asked Jacinth to go with her, but Jass
+was very pleased indeed, and I'm sure she'll like to be of use.'
+
+Miss Scarlett smiled. She was quick of perception in some ways; she
+understood the little girl's loyal admiration of her sister, and again
+she patted her fair head.
+
+'Well,' she said, encouragingly, 'sometimes, I hope, Jacinth may like to
+spend a holiday afternoon with us. But tell her and your aunt from me,
+that if ever they are at a loss what to do with _you_, Frances, Miss
+Mildmay must let me know. We can manage a good run in the garden even in
+wintry weather, and there _are_ such things as blindman's-buff and
+hide-and-seek in the house sometimes.'
+
+'Thank you _very_ much,' said Frances. 'I think--I would like to come
+sometimes on Saturdays, for, besides going with Aunt Alison, I shouldn't
+wonder if--I daresay Jass may have often to go'----She stopped and
+hesitated, and finally blushed. 'I don't think I can explain,' she said.
+
+'Never mind, my dear,' said Miss Marcia, coming to the rescue, with a
+vague idea that perhaps Jacinth had some private charities of her own in
+prospect which she did not wish talked about. 'Give Miss Scarlett's
+message to your aunt and sister, and good-bye till Monday morning.'
+
+Frances ran off, much relieved in her mind.
+
+'But I really must be careful how I talk,' she reflected sagely. 'I had
+quite forgotten that I wasn't to chatter about Lady Myrtle--except to
+Bessie and Margaret. Jacinth said I might really count them my friends,
+and that means being able to tell them anything I like. Besides, how
+could I have helped telling Margaret about Lady Myrtle, when she told me
+all the story of her being their great-aunt?'
+
+Her conscience nevertheless was not absolutely at rest, and joined to
+her eagerness to tell her sister all she had heard of the Harpers'
+family history was now a slight fear of Jacinth's considering her
+indiscreet, and she was so preoccupied that, as she hurried out to the
+hall, where Phebe was waiting, she almost ran against Bessie, who was
+eagerly watching for her.
+
+'Frances,' she said, 'I must speak to you a moment. I asked Miss Linley,
+and she let me run in, and she said I might walk down to the gate with
+you.' There was rather a long drive up to the door of Ivy Lodge.
+'Listen, dear; it's this. I can't bear to ask you to keep anything a
+secret from your aunt or your sister, but _sometimes_ secrets may be
+right, if they concern other people and are not about anything in any
+way wrong. And I don't see what else to do. It is this--would you mind
+promising me not to tell _anybody_ about Lady Myrtle Goodacre being our
+relation, till I have written home to mother and told her that you and
+Jacinth know her, and about your grandmother having been her dear
+friend? I am _so_ afraid of doing harm, or vexing father, for though he
+is so good, he is--very proud, you know, and--he could not bear it
+to--to come round to Lady Myrtle that we were talking about her,
+or--thinking about her money.'
+
+Bessie's face by this time was crimson. Frances opened her mouth as if
+about to speak, then shut it again, and gazed at Bessie with a variety
+of contradictory feelings looking out of her blue eyes. There was
+disappointment, strong disappointment that her wonderful schemes for
+bringing the Harpers and their old relative together threatened thus to
+be nipped in the bud; there was disappointment, too, that she was not to
+have the pleasure and importance of relating the story 'just like one
+in a book' to her sister; and yet there was considerable relief, born of
+her recently aroused misgiving as to how Jacinth would look upon her
+confidences with Margaret.
+
+Bessie meanwhile stood looking at her in undisguised anxiety.
+
+'It doesn't matter a bit about Aunt Alison,' Frances at last blurted
+out. 'We're not at all bound to tell her everything; mamma knows she
+wouldn't understand or take the trouble to listen. And so, when we came
+here, mamma said we must just do the best we could. I've always told
+Jass everything, and we write long, _long_ letters to mamma. We tell
+her--at least I do--everything that puzzles us, even things I can't
+understand about--about religion,' and here Frances grew red. 'Though
+that's _one_ thing that's better here than at Stannesley; the Bible
+classes are so nice.'
+
+'But Frances,' repeated Bessie, 'about not telling Jacinth? It is only
+till I write to mother and get her answer. And I'm not asking you to
+hide anything wrong; it's really our own family affairs.'
+
+'I know,' said Frances. 'No, I don't think it could be wrong to
+promise.'
+
+'Put it this way,' said Bessie: 'suppose you had, by some sort of
+accident, overheard anything about other people, you wouldn't at all
+think you were bound to tell Jacinth. Well, you see it was a _little_
+like that; Margaret shouldn't by rights have told you without asking
+mamma.'
+
+'I see,' said Frances. 'Well then, Bessie, I promise not to tell anybody
+till you give me leave. Only, you won't count my writing it all to
+mamma? I write the most of my weekly letter to her on Sunday, so I'd
+like to know, because to-morrow's Sunday, you see.'
+
+'_Of course_,' said Bessie with the utmost heartiness, '_of course_ you
+must write everything to your mother, just as I shall to mamma. Thank
+you so much, dear Francie, for understanding so well. And--and--just one
+other little thing--don't you think, just now, it will be better for you
+and Margaret not to talk about Lady Myrtle to each other? I mean if she
+invites you to Robin Redbreast and you go, I don't think you'd better
+tell Margaret. She's not very strong, and she thinks of things so, once
+she gets them in her head. She's different from me. I can put them right
+away.'
+
+And Bessie gave herself a little shake and stood there, all the anxiety
+gone out of her face, bright, fearless, and handsome as usual.
+
+Frances, however, gave a little sigh.
+
+'Very well,' she said, 'I won't speak about it any more to Margaret if
+you think I'd better not. But it's rather hard not to have any one I can
+tell about it, when I've been so interested.'
+
+And Frances's face grew very doleful.
+
+Bessie Harper looked and felt sorry for her. She knew what a warm
+faithful little heart she had to do with, and unaware as she was of
+Frances's slight fear of Jacinth's displeasure, she perhaps
+overestimated the trial it was to the younger sister to be debarred from
+giving her confidences to the elder one.
+
+'I'm very sorry,' she said, sympathisingly. 'I really am very sorry
+indeed. But still I'm sure it's better for Jacinth not to know about it
+till I hear what mother says. You see she _may_ be invited to Lady
+Myrtle's any day, and if anything about the Elvedons or our family was
+said, it would be impossible for her not to feel uncomfortable
+and--and--not open, you know, unless she told what Margaret told you,
+and that might be just what father would dislike.'
+
+'And suppose _I_ go to Robin Redbreast too,' said Frances, 'what am I to
+do?'
+
+'I thought you said Jacinth was the one who would go,' said Bessie.
+
+'Oh well,' replied Frances, who had raised the difficulty partly out of
+half-petulant contradiction, 'I am pretty sure it will be Jass. I don't
+think Lady Myrtle noticed me much, and I don't want to go. I don't like
+her; at least I don't care about her unless she could be made nice to
+you. And any way she wouldn't ask _me_ questions, even if by chance she
+did hear your name'----
+
+'And Jacinth isn't the least likely to speak about us, as things are. So
+it's all right; and any way, Frances, you can write a very long letter
+to your mother to-morrow.'
+
+'Yes,' the little girl agreed. 'That's better than nothing; only, just
+think of the weeks and weeks before I can get an answer! Whatever other
+troubles you have, Bessie, you _are_ lucky to have your father and
+mother in England, and to know them. I don't know mamma for myself a
+bit; only by her letters, and because I just feel she _must_ be very
+good and kind. When I was very little it seemed something like--no,
+perhaps you wouldn't understand'----
+
+'I think I would,' said Bessie, who was eager to make up by every means
+in her power for any distress she was causing to her friend. 'Tell me.'
+
+'I was only thinking what queer feelings children have,' said Frances.
+'When I was little, before I had ever seen mamma--of course I can
+remember her since the time I _did_ see her, five years ago, and since
+then she has seemed real--but before that, it was only a kind of faith.
+Writing letters to her was a very little--don't think it's naughty of me
+to say it--a very little like saying our prayers. They went out, away to
+somewhere, to some one I'd never seen; just like, you know, when we
+pray.'
+
+'Yes,' said Bessie gently, 'but the answers came.'
+
+'I know,' replied Frances simply. 'And sometimes I think it helped to
+make me feel that there is something _real_ in saying our prayers. But I
+must go.'
+
+'And so must I,' said Bessie. 'And thank you, dear Francie.'
+
+She kissed the little face affectionately, and then hastened back to her
+companions.
+
+'I do love Frances,' she thought. 'Somehow, I don't feel as if I could
+ever love Jacinth quite as much. I do hope all this won't bother the
+poor little thing. I should make Margaret unhappy if I blamed her for
+having told Frances, and I scarcely see how she could have helped it. It
+isn't as if we were in disgrace,' and Bessie threw back her head
+proudly. 'We have no secrets: father's whole life and character are
+_grand_; and rather than have that horrid old Lady Myrtle--there, now,
+I'm calling her just what I told Frances she mustn't--rather than have
+her thinking _we_ want her money, I'd--I don't know what I wouldn't do.
+If only'----And here poor Bessie's heroics broke down a little. There
+came before her a vision of 'father' with his crutch--for he had been
+wounded in the hip and was very lame--with the lines of suffering on his
+face, showing through the cheery smile which it was seldom without; and
+of 'mother' in her well-worn black poplin, which she used to declare
+was 'never going to look shabby,' planning and contriving how to send
+the two girls, neatly and sufficiently provided for, to school, when the
+wonderful chance of a year at Miss Scarlett's had so unexpectedly come
+in their way.
+
+Bessie's eyes filled with tears.
+
+'I'd do anything for them,' she thought. 'I'd go to be Lady Myrtle's
+companion or lady's-maid or _anything_, if it would do any good. It's
+all very well to be "proud," but I'm afraid my pride would melt very
+quickly if I could see any way to help them. But I'm glad I stopped
+Frances talking about it; it really might have done harm. I must write a
+long letter to mother. I wonder if I can begin it to-night?'
+
+Frances, escorted by Phebe, made her way home in greater silence for
+some minutes than was usual with her. She was revolving many things in
+her fluffy little head.
+
+'Had they come in when you started to fetch me?' she inquired at last of
+the maid.
+
+'Not yet, Miss Frances. Miss Mildmay gave me orders to go for you at
+half-past six, before she went out. But I don't think they'll be long.
+Late tea is ordered for half-past seven, and Miss Mildmay is never
+behind time on Saturday evenings.'
+
+'I don't mind whether they're in or not--not much,' said Frances. 'I
+don't want any more tea. I suppose Eugene has had his?'
+
+'Yes, Miss Frances, his tea and an egg. He was very pleased. Master
+Eugene does enjoy a nice boiled fresh egg. I think you'll have to go
+down to late tea, though, Miss Frances; perhaps Miss Mildmay wouldn't be
+pleased if you didn't; and perhaps'----
+
+'Nonsense, Phebe,' said her young mistress; 'Aunt Alison doesn't care.
+You speak as if she was like a mamma, wanting to have us beside her
+always. She's had Miss Jacinth all the afternoon, and she likes her
+better than me. I'm sure she wouldn't care if she never saw me again.
+Well, no; perhaps I shouldn't say that, for she's quite kind. She was
+very kind about letting me go this afternoon, and sending you to take me
+and to fetch me, Phebe.'
+
+'Yes, Miss Frances,' began Phebe, again with some hesitation, 'it was
+just that I was thinking about. If you go down to tea just as usual,
+nice and neat, it'll make it more likely that she will let you go again.
+It will show that a little change now and then will do you no harm, nor
+get you out of regular ways, so to say, Miss Frances.'
+
+'Very well,' the child agreed; 'I don't care much one way or another. Oh
+Phebe,' she went on, brightening up again--it would have been difficult
+to depress Francie for long--'we had such fun this afternoon;' and she
+went into some particulars of the games, which Phebe listened to with
+great interest. 'I wish Aunt Alison would _sometimes_ let us have
+friends to play with us. We could have beautiful "I spy" in the garden.'
+
+'Yes, Miss Frances, so you could,' agreed Phebe.
+
+'You see at Stannesley there were really no children, no girls any way
+near our age except the Vicar's daughter, and though she came to have
+tea with us sometimes it wasn't much pleasure--not _fun_, at least.
+She's a little older than Miss Jacinth, and oh, Phebe, she's so
+_awfully_ deaf. It's almost like not hearing at all.'
+
+'Poor young lady!' said Phebe, sympathisingly.
+
+'Yes, isn't it sad? And so, you see, the one thing we were glad of about
+coming here--I was, any way--was about going to school; just what some
+girls wouldn't have liked. I've always wanted so to have some
+companions, only it isn't half as much good having them if you only see
+them at lessons. I don't think Miss Jacinth minds. She was pleased to go
+to school because of learning better and finding out how much other
+girls know compared with us, but I don't think she minds the way I do.'
+
+She had almost forgotten whom she was speaking to, or indeed that she
+was speaking aloud, and half started when Phebe replied again to this
+long speech.
+
+'It's just because of that, Miss Frances,' said the girl, 'that I was
+thinking how nice it will be if you're invited sometimes to play with
+the young ladies of a holiday afternoon like to-day. And if I were you,
+I'd take care to show Miss Mildmay that it doesn't unsettle you, and I'd
+just put out of my mind about having any young ladies to come to you.
+It'd not suit your aunt's ways.'
+
+'No,' said Frances, 'I suppose not. It's only really the Harpers I care
+about,' she added to herself. 'And now,' she went on thinking, 'with
+this muddle about the old lady at Robin Redbreast--if their mother
+doesn't want her to know about them, perhaps it's best for Jacinth not
+to see them much. And I'll have to forget what Margaret told me, after
+I've written to mamma. I want to remember it _exactly_ to tell her.'
+
+She sighed a little. Almost for the first time Frances began to realise
+that, even when one is possessed of the purest motives and the best
+intentions, life may be a complicated business. Right and wrong are not
+always written up before us on conspicuous finger-posts, as we fancy in
+childhood will be the case. There are shades and modifications, wisdom
+and unwisdom; apparently, though, thank God, only 'apparently,'
+conflicting duties, whose rival claims it is not always easy to measure.
+And it is not till some stages later in our journey that we come to see
+how our own prejudices or shortsightedness or self-will are really at
+the root of the perplexity. For God demands no impossibilities. As has
+been quaintly said, 'He neither expects us to be in two places at once,
+nor to put twenty-five hours' work into twenty-four.'
+
+To do what is the least agreeable to us, though far from an invariable
+rule, is often a safe one. Frances would have liked to run up-stairs to
+the nursery, and to sit down there and then to the long letter to
+'mamma,' to the outpouring of confidence to the almost unknown friend
+she had learned to trust. But common-sense and a certain docility, which
+was strongly developed in her, in spite of her superficial
+self-assertion and blunt, even abrupt outspokenness, made her yield to
+Phebe's advice.
+
+And it was a neat, composed-looking little maiden who met her aunt and
+sister on their return half an hour or so later, somewhat tired and
+fagged by their rather tedious afternoon's work.
+
+'I am glad you are back, my dear,' said her aunt. 'I wished afterwards I
+had made a point of your not keeping Phebe waiting, as I had forgotten
+that Eugene would be alone, and I am always afraid of any accident with
+the fire, or anything of that kind.'
+
+'I did keep her waiting a little,' said Frances, honestly. 'But I've
+been back a good while. I've heard Eugene his Sunday lessons: he knows
+them quite well. And I think tea is quite ready, Aunt Alison.'
+
+'That's right,' Miss Mildmay replied. 'You may ring for it to be brought
+in, while Jacinth and I take off our things.--Frances seems none the
+worse for her visit,' she added to her elder niece as they made their
+way up-stairs. 'I shall not object to her going to Ivy Lodge sometimes
+in this way, if it does not make her rough or hoydenish.'
+
+'I don't think there is much fear of her learning anything of that kind
+from the _boarders_,' said Jacinth, gratified by her aunt's confidential
+tone. 'I shouldn't be so sure of the day-scholars, but you know, Aunt
+Alison, the Miss Scarletts keep them very distinct. It is a--well,' with
+a little smile, 'a great compliment for Francie to be asked this way.'
+
+'The Miss Scarletts have plenty of discrimination,' her aunt replied.
+'They know that my nieces--your father's daughters--going to any school,
+especially a day-school, is a great compliment to that school.'
+
+It was not often that Miss Mildmay indulged in any expression of her
+underlying family pride. It suited Jacinth's ideas 'down to the ground.'
+
+'Yes, of course,' she agreed quietly. 'Still the school _is_ an
+exceptional one. I think Frances is learning to understand some things
+better,' she went on. 'But of course she is _very_ young for her age. At
+first she was far too ready to rush into bosom friendships and
+enthusiastic admirations and all that sort of thing. And she perfectly
+adores games,' with a slight intonation of contempt.
+
+'_You_ don't?' said Miss Mildmay, smiling. 'There is nothing to be
+ashamed of in liking games, if not allowed to go too far.'
+
+'I think it must be born in some people,' said Jacinth. 'It isn't
+laziness that makes me not care for them. For I love riding and long
+walks and dancing. Only, somehow, I feel so much _older_.'
+
+'I can sympathise with you,' said her aunt. 'I have never been able to
+care for any game that ever was invented. So I have not been victimising
+you this afternoon, you are sure?'
+
+'Oh indeed, no,' replied Jacinth heartily.
+
+On the whole the domestic atmosphere in Market Square Place seemed more
+genial.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+AN INVITATION.
+
+
+Jacinth was quick of observation. They had not been many minutes seated
+at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or
+rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking
+much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
+
+She glanced at Frances once or twice inquiringly, then she tried to draw
+her into the conversation, but only succeeded in extracting
+monosyllables in reply. Still her sister did not look depressed,
+certainly not cross; it was much more as if her thoughts were elsewhere.
+
+'What are you dreaming about, Frances?' said Jacinth at last with a
+touch of sharpness. 'Are you very tired?'
+
+'Did you not enjoy yourself this afternoon?' asked Miss Mildmay,
+following suit.
+
+Frances started, and pulled herself together.
+
+'Oh yes,' she said, '_very_ much. I never enjoyed myself more. I was
+only--oh, I was only thinking of things.'
+
+'What sort of things?' asked her aunt good-humouredly. 'Had you much
+grave and learned discussion at Ivy Lodge?'
+
+Frances reddened a little.
+
+'We did talk quietly part of the time,' she said. 'We weren't playing
+games _all_ the afternoon. I was a good while walking up and down with
+Margaret, and afterwards with Bessie.'
+
+Miss Mildmay glanced inquiringly at her elder niece.
+
+'Yes,' said Jacinth, replying to the unspoken question. 'Those are the
+girls Frances is so fond of--the Harpers.'
+
+'Oh yes, I remember,' said Miss Mildmay. 'Their mother is an old friend
+of the Scarletts, and the good souls were delighted to take the girls
+at'----She stopped suddenly, aware that she had been on the point of
+betraying a confidence, realising, too, that the subject of it was
+scarcely suited for her young auditors, for Frances especially. But in
+her slight confusion she stumbled on the very thing she was anxious to
+avoid, so that it required little 'putting of two and two together' for
+Jacinth to complete to herself, with an inward smile, her aunt's
+broken-off sentence. 'They are not--the Harpers, I mean--they are not at
+all well off, and--a large family, I fancy,' Miss Mildmay went on.
+
+'No,' said Frances in her clear young voice, rather to her hearers'
+surprise, 'no, they are not _at all_ rich.'
+
+Then she started, grew crimson, and looked round in affright: had she
+said something she should not have said? A strange, silly, nervous
+feeling came over her; as if she must, in another moment, burst into
+tears.
+
+'Frances,' said Jacinth, 'what are you looking so terrified about?
+There's no harm in what you said. It's no secret; Aunt Alison said it
+herself first.'
+
+Her tone was not unkindly, though slightly sharp. But a look of relief
+overspread her sister's face.
+
+'No, of course not. I'm very silly,' she murmured.
+
+'I think you must be a little over-tired,' said Miss Mildmay vaguely.
+She had not specially noticed Frances's expression. 'I wonder,' she went
+on, 'I wonder if those Harpers are any relation to the Elvedons? I
+can't quite remember what Miss Scarlett said about them. It was their
+mother she was interested in, though--not their father. If they were
+Elvedon Harpers, Lady Myrtle would know about them; at least'----
+
+'Harper isn't at all an uncommon name,' interrupted Jacinth.
+
+But Miss Mildmay did not resent the little discourtesy--her mind was
+pursuing its own train of thought. 'I don't know that it _would_ follow
+that she could know anything of them,' she said. 'Some of the last
+generation of Harpers were sadly unsatisfactory, and I believe the old
+man, Lady Myrtle's father, disinherited one or more of his sons. So if
+you ever go to Robin Redbreast, girls, I think it would be just as well
+not to mention your school-fellows of the name.'
+
+Jacinth shot a rather triumphant glance at her sister.
+
+'It is generally better, and more well-bred, not to begin about "Are you
+related to the so-and-so's?" or "I have friends of your name," and
+remarks like that; isn't it, Aunt Alison?' she said. 'I was telling
+Frances so, only yesterday.'
+
+Frances reddened again.
+
+'Well, yes,' said Miss Mildmay. 'Still, one cannot make a hard and fast
+rule about such matters. It calls for a little tact.'
+
+She was very inconsistent; who is not? Something in Jacinth's premature
+wisdom--almost savouring of 'worldly' wisdom--rather repelled her,
+careful and unimpulsive though she herself was. Then she felt annoyed
+with her own annoyance: it was unjust to blame the girl, when she
+herself had been inculcating caution.
+
+'In this case,' she added, 'I am sure it is best to keep off family
+affairs, you being so young and Lady Myrtle Goodacre so old; and as I
+know, there have been sore spots in her history.'
+
+Then she rose from the table.
+
+'Francie, dear, I think you had better go to bed early. You _are_
+looking tired,' she said kindly, and as she kissed the little girl she
+almost fancied--was it fancy?--that she felt a touch of dew on her
+cheek.
+
+'I'm afraid I don't understand children at all,' she thought to herself,
+though with a little sigh. 'What in the world can Frances be crying
+about?'
+
+Jacinth, once they were alone, did not spare her sister.
+
+'I do think you are too silly,' she said. 'If you go on so oddly after
+having an afternoon's play, I am sure Aunt Alison won't let you go
+again. First you seemed half asleep, then you jumped and looked
+terrified for nothing at all, and now you are actually crying. What _is_
+the matter?'
+
+'I didn't mean'----began Frances.
+
+'I believe it's those girls,' continued Jacinth, working herself up to
+rare irritation, for as a rule she was gentle to her sister. 'They
+really seem to bewitch you. Are you crying because you're not a boarder
+at school, so that you could be always beside them?' she added
+ironically.
+
+'No, of course not. I wouldn't be so silly,' said Frances, with a touch
+of her usual spirit.
+
+'Then what _are_ you crying about?'
+
+Frances murmured something about 'thinking Jacinth was vexed with her.'
+
+'Nonsense,' said Jacinth. 'You know I wasn't in the least till you got
+so silly. I don't understand you to-night one bit, but I will say I
+think it has something to do with the Harpers, and if they begin coming
+between you and me, Frances, I shall end by really disliking them.'
+
+'I think you dislike them already,' retorted Frances, 'and I'm sure I
+don't know why.'
+
+To this Jacinth vouchsafed no reply. She would have said the accusation
+was not worth noticing. But yet at the bottom of her heart she knew
+there was something in it. A vague, ridiculous, unfounded sort of
+jealousy of the Harpers had begun to insinuate itself.
+
+'I wish their name had been anything else,' she said to herself. 'I
+don't believe they are really any relation to Lady Myrtle--at least not
+anything countable. But it is so disagreeable to have the feeling of
+knowing anything of people who _may_ be--well, rather objectionable
+relations of hers. Well, no; perhaps that's putting it too strong. I
+mean relations she doesn't want to have to do with, and I don't see why
+she _should_ want to have to do with them. I shall take care, I know,
+not to speak of them to her, for it would only annoy her, and it's no
+business of mine. I do wish Frances hadn't taken them up so, she is so
+silly sometimes.'
+
+Frances on her side began to think she had gone too far. She glanced up
+at Jacinth, and saw that her face was very grave.
+
+'Jass,' she said, stealing up to her and speaking in a soft apologetic
+tone, 'I'm very sorry for being cross. I think I _am_ rather tired,
+though I did so enjoy myself this afternoon. Perhaps I'd better go to
+bed, for I want to write most of my letter to mamma to-morrow. I want to
+write her a good long one this time.'
+
+'Very well,' said Jacinth as graciously as she could. 'I'm sure I
+haven't meant to be cross either, Francie; but--I don't like the idea of
+_any one_ coming between you and me.'
+
+'Of course not; nobody _could_, never,' said Frances eagerly. 'Kiss me,
+Jass. I really don't know what made me begin to cry; it was a mixture.'
+
+Her voice trembled a little again. In terror of incurring Jacinth's
+displeasure, Frances tugged at her pocket-handkerchief. Out came, for
+the second time that day, the old Christmas card.
+
+'What's that?' said Jacinth.
+
+Frances smoothed it out and showed it her, reminding her of its history.
+
+'I think it was that that made me feel rather--queer--this afternoon,
+first,' she said. 'It brought things back so.'
+
+'Well, dear, go to bed and have a good night. And to-morrow you'll be
+fresh for a nice long letter to mamma in the afternoon, when we come
+back from the children's service; there's always plenty of time. I want
+to write her a long letter too.'
+
+The letters were written, neither sister reading the other's. This was a
+recognised rule, and a wise one, as it kept each child more directly in
+touch with the absent mother, and also enabled her to judge of her
+children's gradually developing characters. The very way in which the
+same occurrence was related by each threw many an unsuspected light on
+the 'Jacinth' and 'Frances' she had personally so sadly little knowledge
+of.
+
+And then for some days life at Number 9 Market Square Place, which had
+been to a certain extent enlivened or disturbed, seemed to revert again
+to its usual monotony. It was almost like a dream to Jacinth to recall
+the strange visit to the quaint old house and the unexpected confidences
+of Lady Myrtle Goodacre; the more so that she had at first allowed her
+imagination to run wild on all the possibilities thus opened up. And to
+Frances it was even more bewildering to remember the glimpse vouchsafed
+to her by her young friends into their past family history. For though
+they were both as affectionate and friendly as before--more so, indeed,
+it seemed to her--neither by word nor allusion was the Saturday's
+conversation referred to. Margaret had evidently promised Bessie to keep
+off the subject, and Frances of course could but do the same.
+
+'Perhaps,' she thought to herself, 'they will never speak of it again to
+me; perhaps that is what their mother has told them she wished. But
+after all, it doesn't look as if this would much matter, for there is no
+sign that Lady Myrtle means to take any more notice of us, not even of
+poor Jass. I'm not surprised; any one that can be so unkind about her
+own relations _can't_ be very nice.'
+
+Frances was sorry for Jacinth, and a little disappointed for herself,
+and there had still lingered in her some dim hopes that possibly
+_somehow_ their own acquaintance with the old lady might have been of
+use to her friends. Jacinth, though she said nothing, was feeling very
+chagrined indeed, and not a little bitter.
+
+What could have happened to change Lady Myrtle so? Could it be that she
+was really very fanciful and whimsical? It scarcely seemed so,
+considering that she had written so promptly to Miss Mildmay, not losing
+even one post! And this thought suggested another explanation. Could
+their aunt's letter in reply have contained something to annoy the old
+lady? Jacinth began to be very much afraid it must be so, and it made
+her very vexed with Miss Mildmay, though she did not in the least
+suppose it had been done _intentionally_.
+
+'Aunt Alison is perfectly straightforward,' thought the girl. 'If she
+meant to stop our going to Robin Redbreast, she would have said so right
+out. But she may have written in a stiff, stuck-up way, as if it would
+be a great favour to let us go, which would very likely offend Lady
+Myrtle. I do think she might have told me what she said.'
+
+And but for Miss Mildmay's being particularly busy that week, and very
+engrossed by some unexpected difficulties which had arisen in connection
+with one of her benevolent works, she could scarcely have failed to
+notice Jacinth's extremely icy manner and unusual silence.
+
+But on Friday morning came a thaw.
+
+Miss Mildmay looked up with a smile--her smiles were somewhat rare, but
+not without a certain charm--as the girls entered the dining-room,
+_even_ though they were too late for prayers.
+
+'We are so sorry, Aunt Alison,' said Frances eagerly. 'We _just_ got to
+the door in time to be too late.'
+
+'Well, I must forgive you, for I cannot say that it often happens.
+And--I have something to tell you, Jacinth,' was the gracious reply.
+
+Two things had pleased Miss Mildmay that morning: a letter with the
+welcome news that, thanks to her judicious management, the difficulty
+alluded to had been got over, and another letter from Lady Myrtle
+Goodacre, with a cordial invitation to her elder niece. For Miss Mildmay
+herself, though it was not her way to express such things, had felt a
+little annoyed and considerably surprised at no further communication
+from the owner of Robin Redbreast.
+
+Now, however, all was cleared up. The old lady had been ill,
+'otherwise,' she wrote with studied courtesy, 'she had hoped before this
+to have had the pleasure of calling.' But under the circumstances she
+felt sure that Miss Mildmay would excuse her, and in proof of this,
+would she allow her niece Jacinth to spend Sunday at Robin Redbreast? by
+which she explained that she meant from Saturday to Monday morning.
+
+'My carriage shall call for her about noon,' wrote Lady Myrtle, 'and she
+shall be sent home, or straight to school, at any hour she names on
+Monday.'
+
+Jacinth's eyes sparkled. This was just the sort of thing she had been
+hoping for, but with the self-restraint peculiar to her, unusual in one
+so young, she said nothing till her aunt directly addressed her, after
+reading aloud Lady Myrtle's note.
+
+'Well, what do you say to it? Would you like to go?' asked Miss Mildmay.
+
+'Very much indeed,' Jacinth replied, 'except'----And as her eyes fell on
+her sister she hesitated. 'I wish Frances had been invited too,' she was
+on the point of saying, but she changed the words into, 'I hope Frances
+won't be dull without me.'
+
+'Oh no, don't think about that,' said the younger girl. 'I really and
+truly would not like to go; I shouldn't care about it in the least, and
+I am _very_ glad I'm not asked.'
+
+And Jacinth saw that Frances thoroughly meant what she said.
+
+Before the day was over, Frances felt still more glad that she had not
+been included in the invitation, for as soon as morning lessons were
+finished, and the day-scholars were getting ready to go, Bessie Harper
+came running to her with a letter in her hand.
+
+'This is for you, Frances,' she said. 'It is from my sister Camilla,
+who was here, you know, when you first came, for a little.'
+
+Frances was staring at the letter in surprise.
+
+'I scarcely knew your sister at all,' she said. 'She was so big compared
+with me--even with Jacinth.'
+
+'Ah well, you will understand when you've read it. It came inside one to
+me,' said Bessie. 'It'll be all right when you've read it. But I must
+go.' And off she ran.
+
+Frances looked again at the envelope and then deposited the letter in
+her pocket. She had a feeling that she would read it when she was alone,
+for she began to have some idea what it was about. She read it at home
+that afternoon. It ran as follows:
+
+
+                                SOUTHCLIFF, _October 7th_.
+
+     MY DEAR FRANCES--I am writing to you instead of my mother,
+     for as you and I were, though only for a short time,
+     school-fellows, we think perhaps I can explain better what
+     Bessie's letter makes us think necessary to say. Mother is
+     not vexed with Margaret for what she told you, for there is
+     nothing secret about us or our history, though there have
+     been sad things in father's family long ago, as you know.
+     Bessie told us of your kind feelings about us, and though I
+     saw so little of you, I can well believe them. But with
+     regard to our great-aunt, both my father and mother hope she
+     will hear nothing about us. Father has long left off any
+     thought of friendly relations with her. Of course there is
+     no reason why our name should not be mentioned to her by
+     yourself, or your sister, if it happened to come up in
+     conversation; but we should be sorry for her to think we
+     murmured about being poor, or that any of us ever thought of
+     her as a rich relation who might help us. So we shall all be
+     very glad indeed if you will try to forget that you know
+     anything of us Harpers except as school-fellows who will
+     always be pleased to count you a true friend. Mother wishes
+     you to do just what you think best about showing this
+     letter to your sister or not. And of course you will tell
+     your mother anything or everything about the matter. Yours
+     affectionately,
+
+                                    CAMILLA HARPER.
+
+Frances gave a sigh.
+
+'I won't show it to Jacinth,' she thought. 'Aunt Alison said it was
+better for her not to speak about the Harpers to Lady Myrtle, so there's
+no use in saying anything about them. And it's more comfortable not to
+have something in your head you're not to tell. I suppose I must try to
+put it all out of my head, but it _would_ have been nice to help to make
+that old aunt of theirs like them. I'll put the letter in an envelope
+ready addressed to mamma--that'll keep any one from touching it--and
+I'll send it to her in my next letter.'
+
+But it called for some self-control not to tell it all to her sister,
+even at the risk of her displeasure. And Frances was conscious of a very
+slight feeling of relief when Jacinth, evidently in high spirits, though
+quiet as she always was, set off in state the next day for her visit to
+Robin Redbreast.
+
+She had made up her mind to enjoy herself and to be pleased with
+everything, and it was not difficult to carry out this programme.
+Everything Lady Myrtle could think of to make her young guest feel at
+home had been done, and Jacinth was both quick to see this and most
+ready to appreciate it.
+
+She drew a deep breath of satisfaction when she found herself seated in
+Lady Myrtle's comfortable brougham, which, though a trifle
+old-fashioned, was, like everything belonging to the Robin Redbreast
+establishment, thoroughly good of its kind.
+
+'It is like being at Stannesley again,' thought Jacinth, 'only poor
+granny's carriage and horses, and old Simpson the coachman, weren't half
+so nice as all this is.'
+
+And, to confess the truth, I think a passing regret went through her
+that the road to her destination lay straight out from the town on the
+Market Square Place side, so that there was no chance of her meeting any
+of her school-fellows and giving them a smiling nod of recognition.
+
+The door was opened by the neat parlour-maid, but behind her
+appeared--to do special honour to the young lady, no doubt--a
+functionary whom Jacinth had not seen before--no less a personage than
+Mr Thornley, Lady Myrtle's old, not to say aged butler. He came forward
+gently rubbing his hands, and bending with a decorous mixture of
+paternal solicitude and deference which Jacinth by no means objected to,
+though it made her inclined to smile a little.
+
+'Miss Mildmay, I presume?'
+
+'Miss Mildmay' was quite equal to the occasion. She bent her head
+graciously.
+
+'Her ladyship is awaiting you in her boudoir, if you will have the
+goodness to follow me,' the old man proceeded.
+
+They were standing in the hall. It was large--at least it seemed so in
+comparison with the impression given by the outside of the house, which
+Jacinth knew so well, and which was really cottage-like. The hall was
+wainscoted in oak half-way up, where the panels met a bluish-green
+Japanese-looking paper. A really old oriental paper it was, such as is
+not even nowadays to be procured in England, so thickly covered with
+tracery of leaves and flowers and birds and butterflies in a delightful
+tangle, that the underlying colour was more felt than seen. A short
+staircase of wide shallow steps ran up one side, disappearing apparently
+into the wall, and up this staircase, rather to Jacinth's surprise--for
+there were several doors in the hall leading, no doubt, to the principal
+ground-floor rooms--stepped Thornley in a gingerly manner till he
+reached the little landing at the top. There he threw open a door,
+papered like the walls so cleverly as to be invisible when closed,
+though it was a good-sized door--wide and high. And as soon as the girl,
+following behind, caught sight of the vista now revealed, she wondered
+no more, as she had been doing, at Lady Myrtle's choosing an up-stairs
+room for her boudoir.
+
+'In a town it would be different,' Jacinth had been saying to herself,
+'but in the country it's so much nicer to be able to get out into the
+garden at once.'
+
+But she did not understand the peculiar architecture of Robin Redbreast.
+A glow of colour met her eyes, for the door in the wall opened on to a
+gallery, three sides of which ran round an inner hall on the
+ground-floor, while the fourth--that facing her--was all conservatory,
+and conservatory of the most perfect kind. The girl started,
+half-dazzled by the unexpected radiance, and drew a quick breath of
+satisfaction, as the butler passed along the side of the gallery and
+threw open a door leading in among the flowers--she, following closely,
+lingered a moment while the old servant passed on, partly to give him
+time to announce her, partly to enjoy for half an instant the fragrance
+and beauty around her.
+
+Then came a voice, and a figure in the inner doorway--the figure that
+already seemed so familiar to her, though she had seen it but once.
+
+'My dear child--my dear Jacinth,' and she felt two kind arms thrown
+round her, and the soft withered cheek of the old lady pressed against
+her own. 'This is delightful--to have you all to myself--my own child
+for the time.'
+
+Jacinth's usually cold unimpulsive nature was strongly moved; there is
+always something impressive and touching in the emotion of the aged. And
+Lady Myrtle, one felt by instinct, was rarely demonstrative.
+
+The girl looked up in her face, and there came a slight mistiness over
+the hazel eyes, which her new old friend seemed to know so well--oh so
+well!--the sight of them carried her back half a century; and, above
+all, when Jacinth began to speak, she felt as if all the intervening
+years were a dream, and that she was again a girl herself, listening to
+the voice of Jacinth Moreland.
+
+'I am so very pleased to come. I have been longing to see you again,'
+said her young guest. Thornley had discreetly withdrawn. 'And how lovely
+it is here! You don't know how I enjoy seeing flowers again like these.'
+
+'It _is_ pretty, isn't it?' said Lady Myrtle, pleased by the frank
+admiration. 'In cold weather I am sometimes shut up a good deal, and my
+garden is my great delight. So I tried to make myself a little winter
+garden, you see. I have had to stay up here the last few days, but I
+hope to go about again as usual to-morrow. And of course I shall go down
+to luncheon and dinner to-day. I waited to ask you to come, my dear,
+till I was better. I could not have let you be all by yourself in the
+dining-room.'
+
+'Oh,' exclaimed Jacinth, with sudden compunction, 'I should have asked
+if you were better. How could I forget?'
+
+'Why, you have not been two minutes here, my dear child. And I wrote
+that I was better. It was only a cold. But at my age, "only a cold" may
+come to be a great deal, and I have got into the way of taking care of
+myself, I scarcely know why; it is natural, I suppose, and after all,
+however alone one is, life is a gift. We must not throw it away. I am
+not _quite_ well yet'--she had coughed more than once while
+speaking--'but the weather is milder again.'
+
+'Yes,' said Jacinth, 'a sort of St Martin's summer. I hope,' she added
+gently, 'you will let me wait upon you a little while I am here.
+Wouldn't you like the door shut?'
+
+Lady Myrtle smiled. She liked the allusion to St Martin's summer; it
+seemed like a good omen. Was this bright young life, so strangely
+associated with her own youth, to bring back some spring-time to her
+winter?--was Jacinth to be a St Martin's summer to her?
+
+'Thank you,' she said. 'Yes, please shut the outer door. Poor old
+Thornley often thinks he has closed it when he hasn't; his hands are so
+rheumatic. I like the door into the conservatory left open. Yes, that's
+right. And now come and talk to me for a few minutes before you take off
+your things. There is still half an hour to luncheon. Tell me what you
+have been doing these last few days--busy at lessons? That fair-haired
+little sister of yours doesn't look as if she _over_worked.'
+
+Jacinth smiled.
+
+'No,' she said, 'I don't think Francie _over_works, but she does very
+well. The being at school has really been a good thing for her, for she
+feels herself that she is the better for emulation.'
+
+'And the Scarletts are gentlewomen, thorough gentlewomen,' said Lady
+Myrtle, musingly. 'That makes a difference. And I suppose a good many of
+the pupils are really nice--lady-like and refined?'
+
+'Yes,' said Jacinth, readily. 'The boarders are all nice--some of them
+really as nice in every way as they can be, clever, too, and anxious to
+learn. I don't seem to know them quite as well as Frances does, for,
+somehow, I am not very quick at making friends,' and she looked up at
+Lady Myrtle with a slight questioning in her eyes. The confession did
+not sound very amiable. But the old lady nodded reassuringly.
+
+'Just as well or better that it should be so,' she said. 'Few friends
+and faithful has been my motto. Indeed, as for _great_ friends I never
+had but one, and you know who that was, and I verily believe she never
+had any one as much to her as I was.' She sighed a little. 'Your sister
+is quite a child--a very nice child, I am sure, but she is not a
+Moreland at all. I have heard of some girls at Miss Scarlett's--let me
+see, who were they? What are the names of the ones you like best?'
+
+Jacinth hesitated.
+
+'There are the--the Eves,' she said, 'two sisters, and the Beckinghams,
+and Miss Falmouth. She is almost too old for us.'
+
+But the Harpers she did not name, saying to herself that her aunt had
+advised her not to do so. In this she deceived herself. Miss Mildmay
+would never have counselled her direct avoidance of mention of the two
+girls whom Frances--and she herself in her heart--thought the most
+highly of among their companions.
+
+Lady Myrtle caught at the last name.
+
+'Falmouth,' she repeated. 'Yes, it must have been of her I heard. I know
+her aunt. Very nice people.'
+
+Then she went on to talk a little of Jacinth's own special tastes and
+studies, to ask what news the girls had last had from India, how often
+they wrote, and so on, to all of which Jacinth replied with her usual
+simple directness, for she felt perfectly at ease with her hostess. And
+the little reminiscences and allusions to the long-ago days when all the
+young interests of Jacinth Moreland and Myrtle Harper were shared
+together, with which the old lady's talk was so interspersed, in no way
+bored or wearied this girl of to-day, as it might have done some of her
+contemporaries. On the contrary, such allusions made Jacinth feel more
+on a level with her companion, and flattered her by showing her the
+confidence with which she was regarded.
+
+'I don't suppose she would speak of those past times to _any one_ but
+me,' thought Jacinth proudly. 'Except, of course, perhaps to mamma.'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+DELICATE GROUND.
+
+
+The two days at Robin Redbreast passed most satisfactorily, and long
+before they came to an end Jacinth felt completely at home. It would
+have been almost impossible for her or for any girl not to feel grateful
+for Lady Myrtle's extreme kindness, but besides this, everything in the
+life suited Jacinth's peculiar character. She liked the perfect order,
+the completeness of the arrangements, just as--in very different
+surroundings--she liked and appreciated the same qualities in her aunt's
+sphere. Mere luxury or display would not have pleased her in the same
+way, and except in the one matter of flowers and all expenses connected
+with her garden, Lady Myrtle lived simply. The house itself, though in
+perfectly good taste, was decidedly plain; the furniture belonged to a
+severe and unluxurious date. The colouring was harmonious, but
+unobtrusive.
+
+But Jacinth thought it perfection. Her own room--the one which the old
+lady had specially chosen for her, and which she impressed upon her she
+must think of as appropriated to her--was exactly what she liked. The
+chintz hangings--pale pink rosebuds on a white ground--the quaint
+spindle-legged dressing-tables and chairs, the comfortably spacious but
+undecorated wardrobe of dark old mahogany, the three-cornered bookcases
+fitted in to the angles of the walls with their lozenge-paned glass
+doors--all was just as she liked.
+
+'It's so beautifully _neat_,' she said to Lady Myrtle. 'I like a house
+to be almost primly neat. Frances says she's sure I shall be an old
+maid, and I daresay I shall be. I shouldn't mind, if I had a house of my
+own like this to live in.'
+
+Lady Myrtle glanced at her with one of her peculiar but approving
+smiles.
+
+'That is another point in common between us,' she said. 'I have always
+felt like you, and when--let me see, it must be fully twenty years ago
+now--when, for the first time I really was perfectly free to furnish a
+house to suit myself, you see I carried out my own ideas.'
+
+'Oh, I thought Robin Redbreast was really old--furniture and all,' said
+Jacinth with a slight tone of disappointment.
+
+'So it is,' said Lady Myrtle. 'A good deal of it was here in the house,
+and I had it done up--and some things I brought from Goodacre. My
+brother-in-law who succeeded there kindly let me choose out things of my
+favourite date. And they did not suit Goodacre, which is very grand and
+heavy, and, to my mind, ugly.'
+
+'I know what you mean,' said Jacinth, eagerly--'enormous mirrors with
+huge gilt frames, and enormous gilt cornices over the window curtains,
+and great big patterns on the carpets. There was a house near Stannesley
+like that. It was interesting, something like an old palace, and grand;
+but I shouldn't like to live in a house of that kind.'
+
+'No, there seems nothing personal about it. One's own little self makes
+no impression; you feel that you are just passing through it for the
+time. Elvedon was rather like that, though the present tenants have
+managed to lighten it a good deal. But our other place--I mean my own
+family's place, up in the north, where I knew your dear
+grandmother--though not so grand, is much more homelike than Elvedon. My
+nephew and his wife live there when they are not in London. It is not so
+expensive as the place here.'
+
+Jacinth grew a little nervous and said exactly what she did not mean to
+say.
+
+'Are they not very rich, then?' and instantly blushed crimson, which
+Lady Myrtle took as an expression of fear lest she had been indiscreet.
+And she hastened to answer so as to put the girl at ease again.
+
+'No,' she said; 'far from it. But they will be better off some day, and
+it has been for their good that they have not been rich hitherto. The
+sins of the fathers are visited on the children, as you cannot fail to
+see for yourself, my dear, when you come to know more of life.' Lady
+Myrtle sighed. 'My poor brother Elvedon was very weak and foolish, led
+into all kinds of wild extravagance by--by another, much, much worse
+than he;' and here the old lady's face hardened. 'And naturally,' she
+went on, 'we--my father and I--dreaded what his son might turn out. Poor
+Elvedon, my nephew I mean, is far from a clever man, but he is sensible
+and steady, and so are his two sons. So, as I was saying, some day they
+will be better off.'
+
+Jacinth listened with the utmost attention. She was much gratified by
+her hostess's confidence, and relieved, too, that no mention had been
+made of any other Harper relatives.
+
+'Bessie and Margaret are not Lord Elvedon's daughters, of course,' she
+said to herself, 'so it does not seem as if they were near relations;
+perhaps, after all, they are not relations at all. So I don't see that I
+need bother my head about them; I might have mentioned them to Lady
+Myrtle among the girls at school without her noticing it, I daresay.'
+
+'This is too old talk for you, my dear,' said the old lady, after a
+little silence.
+
+'No, no indeed,' said Jacinth eagerly. 'I am so pleased you don't treat
+me as a child, dear Lady Myrtle. And I love to think of you and my
+grandmother long ago, when your families were almost relations, weren't
+they?'
+
+'Yes, truly--Jacinth and I often said we loved each other more than if
+we had been sisters. That reminds me, my dear, that nice little sister
+of yours must come to see me some day soon, and the boy too, the next
+time you come. When shall that be?'
+
+'Whenever you like, dear Lady Myrtle,' Jacinth replied.
+
+'Well then, supposing you come again in a fortnight--next Saturday week,
+that is to say. I will send for you as before, and the two children must
+come with you and stay till six or seven; then I will send them home
+again and you will remain with me till Monday morning. I must not be
+selfish, otherwise I would gladly have you every week. But that would
+not be fair to your aunt.'
+
+'It wouldn't matter so much for Aunt Alison,' said Jacinth; 'I really
+don't think she would mind. But Francie and Eugene would not like me to
+be away every Sunday.'
+
+'Then let us try to make it every other,' said Lady Myrtle. 'My dearest
+child,' and she pressed the girl's hand, 'how I wish I could have you
+with me altogether. But no, that would not do--it would not be a right
+life for her'--she seemed as if she were speaking to herself. 'Tell me,
+dear,' she went on, 'you do feel already _at home_ at Robin Redbreast?
+I want you to learn to love the little place as well as its old
+owner--who can't be its owner for ever,' she added in a lower voice, so
+that less quick ears than Jacinth's would scarcely have caught the
+words.
+
+'I love it already dearly,' she replied. 'For your sake first of all, of
+course, but for its own too. I couldn't imagine a more perfect old house
+than it is.'
+
+They were walking in the garden, for the weather was mild and Lady
+Myrtle had been able to go to church that morning. It was Sunday and
+late afternoon. The long level rays of the evening sun fell on the large
+lawn--smooth and even as a bowling-green--along one side of which, on
+the broad terrace, the two were pacing up and down. Lady Myrtle stopped
+short, she was holding the girl's arm, and looked up at the windows,
+glinting cheerily in the red glow beginning to be reflected from the
+sky.
+
+'Yes,' she said, 'it really is a dear old place. And for any one who
+cared to fit it for a larger family there is plenty of space and
+convenience for extending it.'
+
+'It seems a very good size already,' said Jacinth, 'though of course I
+cannot judge very well.'
+
+'You must see it all,' said Lady Myrtle; 'the next time you come I hope
+I shall be quite well and able to show you all over it. No, it would
+scarcely need building to; but there are several rooms at the other side
+in rather an unfinished condition, because I really had no use for them.
+The last tenant was on the point of completing them when he left. He had
+a large family, and it was getting too small for them, but he
+unexpectedly came into a property elsewhere, and then my father gave me
+this place. There are some very nice rooms you have not seen. Have you
+been in the one where my old pensioners come for their dinner every
+Saturday?'
+
+Jacinth shook her head.
+
+'That would make a capital billiard room,' Lady Myrtle went on, Jacinth
+listening to all she said with the greatest interest. 'Indeed, Robin
+Redbreast has everything needed for a comfortable roomy house. It is too
+large for me, unless I had a good many visitors. When your father and
+mother come from India, Jacinth, I must have you all to stay with me.'
+
+Jacinth's eyes sparkled.
+
+'Oh how delightful that would be!' she said. 'I have often thought how
+they will miss Stannesley when they come home. For it is let for a long
+time. And wasn't it funny, Lady Myrtle, that last morning when we were
+saying good-bye to Uncle Marmy at the gate, we looked in at this garden,
+and said how lovely it would be if papa and mamma had come home, and we
+were all living together in a house like this! And to think it _may_
+come true, if you ask us all to stay with you.'
+
+Lady Myrtle stroked Jacinth's hand fondly.
+
+'Yes, dear,' she said, 'it may come true, and I trust it will.'
+
+This conversation took place, as I said, on the Sunday afternoon. Very
+early the next morning the brougham took Jacinth back to Market Square
+Place, in time for her to start for school with Frances at their usual
+hour.
+
+Frances did not receive with rapturous delight the news of her
+invitation to Robin Redbreast.
+
+'Must I go?' she said. 'Wouldn't it do for just Eugene to go with you,
+Jacinth? He would enjoy it.'
+
+'Yes, I should,' said Eugene, 'pertickerly if we have some of those
+little brown cakes for tea.'
+
+'Eugene,' said Frances in a tone of disgust, 'I'm sure Lady Myrtle would
+not have asked you if she had known you were such a greedy little boy.'
+
+They were in the dining-room waiting for their aunt, who, for once, was
+a few minutes late for dinner. Just then she came in. She greeted
+Jacinth pleasantly, and seemed glad to hear that she had enjoyed
+herself. Then she was told of the invitation for the following week, and
+Frances appealed to her to say she 'needn't go.' But Frances's hopes
+were speedily disappointed.
+
+'Not go!' said Miss Mildmay; 'of course you must go. It would be most
+ungrateful to Lady Myrtle, and would, besides, put Jacinth in a very
+disagreeable position. You are the grand-daughter of Lady Myrtle's old
+friend as well as Jacinth, even though her special interest may be in
+Jacinth.'
+
+'It would make me look so selfish too,' said Jacinth, who, now that she
+felt sure of her own place with the old lady, was far from wishing to
+deprive Frances of her share in the pleasures and advantages of their
+acquaintance with Robin Redbreast.
+
+So Frances had to give in.
+
+And when the day came she enjoyed the visit, on the whole, very much.
+
+'If only,' she said to herself before starting, 'if only I could have
+got mamma's letter in answer to mine before going. I would have known
+then exactly how to do about the Harpers. Of course I can't tell
+stories, and _they_ would never have wanted me to do that. I only hope
+nothing will be said about school or about anything to do with them.'
+
+Then she tried to recall the exact words of Camilla Harper's letter, by
+this time two-thirds on its way to India to her mother.
+
+Jacinth said nothing at all about the Harpers in connection with Lady
+Myrtle, and Frances began to think her sister had forgotten all about
+the question of their possible relationship, which in the meantime at
+least the younger girl was not sorry for.
+
+It was again a lovely day--the weather seemed to favour the visits to
+Robin Redbreast--even milder than the Saturday of Jacinth's first stay
+there. And this time, instead of the brougham, a large roomy pony
+carriage came to fetch them, a spring cart having already called for
+Jacinth's portmanteau that morning.
+
+'How lovely!' said Frances, as she and Eugene took their seats with
+great satisfaction opposite her sister and the coachman; 'I am so glad
+it is an open carriage. I wish Lady Myrtle would send us home in it
+again this evening: don't you, Eugene?'
+
+'I'm sure her ladyship will be quite pleased to do so, miss, if you just
+mention that you would like it,' said the man, a staid unexceptionable
+old servant, though many years younger than Thornley.
+
+'Oh well, I will. I may, mayn't I, Jass?' said Frances, her eyes
+sparkling with pleasure, only damped by Jacinth's grave expression. Did
+Jass think she was chattering too much already? High spirits were
+Francie's native air: it was very difficult for her to be quiet and
+subdued for long together. But Jacinth really loved to see Frances
+happy, and she knew that Lady Myrtle would feel the same.
+
+'She thinks her such a mere child,' thought the elder girl. So she
+smiled reassuringly as she replied: 'Of course, dear, you can ask Lady
+Myrtle. I am sure she won't mind if it keeps fine; and there is no sign
+of rain, is there?' she said turning to the coachman.
+
+'No indeed, ma'am,' he replied. 'We shall have no rain just yet a bit.'
+
+'It's a _perfect_ day,' said Frances. 'I really sometimes think I like
+autumn as well as spring.'
+
+'I have always liked it much better,' said Jacinth calmly.
+
+Lady Myrtle was walking up and down the terrace, waiting for them. She
+was much better--for her, indeed, quite well--she said, and her face
+lighted up with pleasure as she kissed Jacinth tenderly. Then she turned
+to the younger ones and kissed them too.
+
+'I must have a good look at you, Frances,' she said. 'No--you are not a
+Moreland, and yet--yes, there is a slight _something_--in spite of your
+blue eyes and shaggy hair,' and she patted Frances's head. 'And you, my
+boy;' and she examined Eugene in his turn. 'His eyes are more like his
+grandmother's; nothing approaching your eyes, Jacinth, but still they
+are more of the colour.'
+
+'Eugene is very like mamma,' said Frances eagerly. 'Everybody says so.'
+
+'And I'm called after her,' added Eugene.
+
+'So that's quite as it should be,' said Lady Myrtle. 'And some day I
+hope I may have the great pleasure of comparing mamma and her boy
+together. Now dears, listen to my plan--would you like to go a drive
+this afternoon, or would you rather play about the garden and the little
+farm? I mean Frances and Eugene--Jacinth, of course, is quite at home
+here.'
+
+The two younger ones looked at each other.
+
+'Oh please,' said Frances, 'if we may go home in the open carriage, I
+think that would be enough driving. And--it's so long since we've had a
+nice big place to run about in, and--pigs and cows, you know, like at
+home? Wouldn't you like that best, Eugene?'
+
+'May we see the cows milked?' said Eugene, prudently making his
+conditions, 'and, oh please, if we find any eggs, _might_ we take one
+home for breakfast to-morrow?'
+
+Lady Myrtle looked much amused.
+
+'I will put you under Barnes's charge,' she said. 'Barnes is the
+under-gardener, and whatever he lets you do will be quite right. You and
+I, Jacinth, will have a long drive to-morrow, as I always go to Elvedon
+church once a month, and to-morrow is the day. So I daresay you will
+manage to entertain yourself at home to-day. We can go through the
+houses in the afternoon.'
+
+'Yes, thank you,' said Jacinth. 'And the house--you said you would show
+me all over the house, dear Lady Myrtle.'
+
+'Of course; that will amuse Frances and Eugene too, I daresay, when they
+have had enough running about. Now your sister will go with you to your
+room to take her things off;' and as the two set off, she added
+playfully, 'Jacinth has a room of her very own here, you know, Frances.'
+
+The younger girl was breathless with interest and pleasure, and the
+first sight of the interior of the quaint old house--above all, of the
+lovely conservatory, past which Jacinth took care to convoy
+her--impressed her as much as her sister.
+
+'Oh Jass,' she said, when they found themselves in the pleasant, rather
+'old-world-looking' bedroom, where a tiny wood-fire sparkling in the
+grate gave a cheery feeling of welcome as they entered--'Oh Jass, isn't
+it like a _dream_? That we should really be here in this dear old house,
+treated almost as if we were Lady Myrtle's own grandchildren, and you
+staying here, and this called your room, and--and'----
+
+She stopped, at a loss for words to express her feelings.
+
+Jacinth smiled, well pleased.
+
+'Yes,' she said, 'it really is like a fairy-tale. And'----She hesitated
+a little. 'You don't know, Francie, what more may not come. Do you
+remember our saying that morning to Marmy, how lovely it would be if
+some day we had a house like this for our home, and how he and we would
+pay visits to each other?'
+
+Frances's face grew rather pink.
+
+'Do you mean if,' she said, her voice growing lower and lower--'if Lady
+Myrtle _left_ it to us, to you? I don't like, Jass, to'----
+
+'Oh, how matter-of-fact you are!' said Jacinth impatiently; 'I don't
+mean anything but what I say. Lady Myrtle says she is going to invite us
+all--papa and mamma and us three--to stay with her when they come home,
+and it's a very big house, and she has no relations she cares for. It
+might get to be almost like our home. And Lady Myrtle is the sort of
+person that often speaks of getting old and--and dying. I daresay she
+makes plans for what she'd like to be done with her things--I know I
+should--though I hope she'll live twenty years, and I daresay she will,
+dear old thing.'
+
+Frances would have accepted this simply enough, and after all, Jacinth
+felt as she said. The thought that 'some day' Robin Redbreast might be
+her home would be quite enough for her, and she already loved her kind
+old friend sincerely. But one sentence in her sister's speech startled
+Frances with a quick sharp stab: 'No relations that she cares for.'
+
+Somehow, in the pleasure and excitement of coming to Robin Redbreast,
+she had forgotten about the Harpers. Now all her old feelings of
+chivalry for them, and wishes that she could be the means of helping
+them, rushed back upon her, and she felt as if she had, in some queer
+way, been faithless, even though she was debarred from doing anything,
+debarred even from telling Jacinth all she knew. And Frances was
+unaccustomed to hide her feelings; her face at once grew grave and
+almost distressed looking.
+
+'What is the matter, Frances?' said Jacinth. 'You are such a kill-joy.
+What are you looking so reproachful about?'
+
+'I didn't mean--I'm not looking reproachful,' said Frances; 'it was
+only--oh, just something of my own I was thinking of.'
+
+'Well then, I wish you would think of something cheerful, and not screw
+your face up as if you were going to cry. I don't want Lady Myrtle to
+think we've been quarrelling up here.'
+
+Frances swallowed down a lump in her throat, which was far too apt to
+come there on small provocation.
+
+'Of course Lady Myrtle would never think such a thing, or if she did,
+she would only think I was naughty or silly or something. She'd never
+dream of _you_ being anything but perfect, Jass. I do like her for
+that,' said Frances.
+
+'You should like her for everything. I'm sure she's as kind as she can
+possibly be,' said Jacinth.
+
+'Yes,' said Frances, 'she is.'
+
+Then they ran down-stairs again to the library, where Lady Myrtle had
+told them she would be. They found her improving her acquaintance with
+Eugene, who was chattering away in a most confiding and friendly
+fashion, even retailing to her his self-congratulation at having been
+the first cause of their making friends.
+
+'For you see if I hadn't been so fir--_wursty_,' with a great effort,
+'that day, and _made_ Jacinth let me ask; no,' suddenly recollecting
+himself, 'she didn't let me, but you heard me over the wall, Lady
+Myrtle; that was it, wasn't it? So it did come of me being wursty,
+didn't it?'
+
+'Yes, my dear, of course it did,' the old lady replied, with a smile.
+
+But just then the luncheon gong sounded and they all made their way into
+the dining-room. All went well till about half-way through the meal,
+when a sudden thought struck Lady Myrtle.
+
+'Oh Jacinth, my dear,' she said, 'I was forgetting to tell you. Your
+young friend at school, Honor Falmouth, _is_ the niece of my friend. I
+was writing to her husband the other day about a business matter--he is
+one of my trustees--and I asked the question. I thought it would
+interest you to hear it.'
+
+'Yes,' said Jacinth, 'of course it does. She is a very nice girl indeed,
+but she is a good deal older than I. She plays beautifully, and next
+term she is going somewhere--to Germany, I think--for the best music
+lessons she can have. Did you play the harp, when you were a girl, Lady
+Myrtle?' she went on rather eagerly. She was vaguely anxious to change
+the conversation, for she had still a half-nervous fear of Frances's
+indiscretion should the subject of their school-fellows be entered upon.
+
+'The harp!' repeated Lady Myrtle, half-absently; 'no, my love, I never
+was very musical. But your grandmother sang charmingly.' And Jacinth,
+believing she was launched on long-ago reminiscences, began to breathe
+freely, when suddenly the old lady reverted to the former topic.
+
+'How much older than you is Honor?' she inquired.
+
+'About three years. I think she is eighteen, but I'm not quite sure,'
+said Jacinth.
+
+'I was wondering,' said Lady Myrtle, 'if she would like to come to
+luncheon some day when you are with me. Or is there any other among your
+friends you care more for?'
+
+'No,' said Jacinth, 'I think I like Honor as much as any.'
+
+Frances was listening with the greatest interest; her mouth half-open,
+her knife and fork suspended in their operations. Lady Myrtle caught
+sight of her absorbed face and smiled.
+
+'Have _you_ any friend you would like to ask to come here some day?' she
+said, kindly. 'If it were summer it would be different; we might have a
+strawberry feast.'
+
+Frances grew crimson, painfully crimson.
+
+'Oh _how_ silly she is!' thought Jacinth.
+
+'Thank you,' stammered Frances. 'I--I don't know. I don't think so.'
+
+'Come, you must think it over,' said Lady Myrtle, imagining the child
+was consumed with shyness. 'Who are your favourite friends, or have you
+any special favourites?'
+
+'Yes,' replied Frances, in an agony, increased by the consciousness of
+Jacinth's eye, but fully remembering, too, that in replying truthfully
+she was violating no confidence; 'yes, I'm much the fondest of Bessie
+and Margaret, but they mightn't come. I don't think it would be any use
+inviting any of them, except a big one like Honor, thank you.'
+
+'Ah! well I know Miss Scarlett is strict, and rightly so, I daresay,'
+said the old lady. 'Who are these friends of yours--Bessie and Margaret
+what?'
+
+'Bessie and Margaret Harper,' said Frances, bluntly; 'that's their
+name.'
+
+A look of perplexity crossed Lady Myrtle's face. 'Harper,' she repeated.
+'Bessie and Margaret Harper. No, I never heard of them. But
+still'----And the lines on her face seemed visibly to harden. 'Ah well,
+I will only ask Honor Falmouth then. You must see about it, Jacinth, and
+let me know when I should write to her or to Miss Scarlett.'
+
+And then they talked of other things, Jacinth exerting herself doubly,
+to prevent Lady Myrtle's noticing Frances's silence and constraint. But
+afterwards, when they were by themselves for a moment, she took her
+sister to task.
+
+'Why did you speak of the Harpers?' she said; 'and why, still worse, if
+you thought you shouldn't have named them, did you look so silly and
+ashamed as if you had done something wrong? I daresay you felt
+uncomfortable because, as Aunt Alison said, there have been such
+disagreeables in Lady Myrtle's family, and these Harpers may be some
+relations of hers. But--couldn't you have managed not to mention them?'
+
+Frances looked quite as distressed as Jacinth could have expected--or
+more so. 'I'm sure I didn't mean to speak of them,' she said. Her
+meekness disarmed Jacinth.
+
+'Well never mind,' she said reassuringly. 'I daresay Lady Myrtle didn't
+notice; at least, if she did, she couldn't have thought you knew
+anything about her family affairs. _I_ don't want to hear about them;
+I'd rather not know what sort of relations the Harpers are, or if
+they're any. Don't think any more about them.'
+
+And with this, Frances had to be or to appear content. But besides the
+little Jacinth knew, she had her own sorer feelings. Though Bessie and
+Margaret had scrupulously carried out the advice, Frances could see,
+they had received from home, and while as affectionate as ever to her,
+refrained from the very slightest allusion to family affairs or even to
+Robin Redbreast, yet, now that her eyes were opened as it were, Frances
+noticed many things that had not struck her before. As the season
+advanced and the weather grew colder, most of the girls appeared in new
+and comfortably warmer garments, for Thetford stands high and is a
+'bracing' place. Well-lined ulsters, fur-trimmed jackets, muffs and
+boas, were the order of the day. But not so for Bessie and Margaret.
+They wore the same somewhat threadbare serges; the same not very
+substantial gray tweeds on Sundays, which had done duty since they came
+to school; the same little black cloth jackets out-of-doors, with only
+the addition of a knitted 'cross-over' underneath. And one day, admiring
+Frances's pretty muff, and congratulating her on the immunity from
+chilblains it must afford, poor little Margaret confided to her
+impulsively that she had never possessed such a treasure in her life.
+
+'It is one of the things I have always wished for so,' she said simply,
+'though these woollen gloves that Camilla knits us are really very
+good.'
+
+Then on another occasion both sisters consulted their friend on a most
+important matter. It was going to be mother's birthday. They _must_ send
+her something; they had never been away from her on her birthday before,
+and at home one could always make something or find out what she wanted
+a good while before, so as to prepare. _Could_ Frances think of
+anything? She must be used to thinking of things that could go by post
+because of her mother being in India; only--and here Bessie's eager face
+flushed a little, and Margaret's grave eyes grew graver--'you see it
+mustn't cost much; that's the worst of it.'
+
+Frances tried not to look too sympathising.
+
+'I know,' she said. 'I quite understand, for of course we haven't ever
+much money to spend. I will try to think of something.'
+
+And for once she thoroughly enlisted Jacinth's sympathy for her friends.
+Possibly, far down in Jacinth's heart, candid and loyal by nature, lay a
+consciousness that, notwithstanding the plausible and, to a certain
+extent, sound reasons for not meddling in other people's affairs, and
+for refraining from all 'Harper' allusions to Lady Myrtle, she was going
+farther than she needed in her avoidance of these girls, in her
+determination not to know anything about their family or their possible
+connection with her old lady. Her conscience was not entirely at rest.
+And in a curious undefined way she was now and then grateful for
+Frances's ready kindness to Bessie and Margaret: it seemed a vicarious
+making up for the something which she felt she herself was withholding.
+And this little appeal touched her sympathy; so that with a good deal of
+tact--more tact than Frances, blunt and blundering, could have
+shown--she helped to suggest and carry out a really charming little
+birthday present, most of the materials for which she had 'by her,'
+lying useless, only asking to be made into something.
+
+Never had Bessie Harper felt so ready to make a friend of the
+undemonstrative girl; never had Francie herself felt more drawn to her
+elder sister.
+
+And the little present was carefully packed and sent off; and the tender
+mother's letter of thanks, when it came, was read to the Mildmays as but
+their due, and for a while it seemed as if the friendship was to extend
+from a trio into a quartette!
+
+But alas! a very few days after the cheery letter from Southcliff,
+Frances, spending a holiday afternoon at Ivy Lodge, as often happened,
+especially when Jacinth was with Lady Myrtle, found Bessie Harper pale
+and anxious, and Margaret's eyes suspiciously red. What was the matter?
+
+'We didn't want to tell you about our home troubles,' said Bessie. 'I'm
+sure it's better not, because of--you know what. But I must tell you a
+little. It's--it's a letter from Camilla. Father has been so much worse
+lately, and they didn't want to tell us. They hoped it was only
+rheumatism with the cold weather. But--mother managed to get him up to
+London to see the great doctor, and--he gave a very bad report.'
+
+Here Bessie's voice failed.
+
+'He's not going to die?--oh don't say that!' burst out Frances in her
+heedless way.
+
+Margaret flung out her hands wildly.
+
+'Oh Bessie,' she cried, 'is that what it really means?'
+
+Bessie looked almost angrily at Frances.
+
+'No, no,' she exclaimed; 'of course not. Frances, why did you say that?
+Margaret, you are so fanciful. Of course it is not that. It is just that
+the doctor says his leg is getting stiffer and stiffer, and unless
+something can be done--some treatment in London first, and afterwards a
+course of German baths--he is afraid dad must become _quite_ a
+cripple--quite helpless. And that would be dreadful. It's bad enough
+when people are rich'--it was sad to hear the old sad 'refrain' of
+poverty, from lips so young--'but when they're poor! Oh no, I can't face
+the thoughts of it. What would his life be if he could never get out--he
+is so active in spite of his lameness--if he had to lie always in his
+poky little room? How would darling mother bear it?'
+
+And then brave Bessie herself broke down and fled away to the
+house--they were in the garden--to hide herself till she had recovered
+some degree of calm.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE INDIAN MAIL.
+
+
+Frances went home that evening feeling very unhappy and terribly full of
+sympathy, while painfully conscious the while that as yet she must not
+unburden herself to any one, not even to Jacinth, of her whole thoughts
+and feelings in connection with the Harpers. And in any case she could
+not have done so, for Jacinth was away at Robin Redbreast till Monday.
+
+They met at school on Monday morning, but it was not till they were on
+their way home at dinner-time that the sisters had any opportunity of
+speaking to each other. Jacinth was looking almost brilliantly well,
+and, for her, Frances saw in a moment, in extremely good spirits. No
+wonder--every time she went to Lady Myrtle, the old lady showed her
+increasing signs of affection and goodwill: she almost hinted that she
+wished the girl to think of herself as in a sense adopted by her.
+
+'Francie,' said the elder sister, when they at last found themselves
+alone, 'I have something so lovely to show you,' and she drew out a
+little velvet-covered case from her pocket. 'See--this is what dear Lady
+Myrtle has given me; isn't it splendid?'
+
+The 'it' was a small and evidently valuable watch. The back was
+enamelled and set with diamonds, in the form of a 'J.' It was somewhat
+old-fashioned, enough to enhance its beauty and uncommonness, and
+Frances gazed at it in breathless admiration.
+
+'It was Lady Myrtle's own,' explained Jacinth. 'She told me that she and
+our grandmother once had a fancy--rather a silly one, I think, though I
+didn't say so--for having each other's initial on their things--things
+like this, I mean. So when somebody gave them each a watch, two the
+same, they exchanged them. Lady Myrtle doesn't know what became of our
+grandmother's, but she thinks it was lost or stolen, otherwise mother
+would have had it. And she has not worn this for ever so long. She says
+she always hoped that _some_ day she'd find somebody belonging to
+grandmother. Oh Francie, isn't it a good thing I was called "Jacinth?"'
+
+Frances murmured something in reply; her eyes were fixed on the watch.
+
+'The works are first-rate--_better_ than they make them now,' Jacinth
+continued; 'and Lady Myrtle has had it thoroughly overhauled by her own
+watchmaker in London, so she's sure it'll go perfectly, with any one
+careful; and I am careful, am I not, Francie? Lady Myrtle says she could
+see I was, almost the first time she spoke to me.'
+
+'Yes,' said Frances, absently, 'I am sure you are, and I am sure Lady
+Myrtle thinks you almost perfect.'
+
+But still she gazed at the watch, as if it half-mesmerised her.
+
+'I've felt in such a hurry to tell you about it--to show it to you,'
+said Jacinth. 'It seemed to be burning a hole in my pocket, as they say.
+I did so wish I could have shown it to some of the girls, but I thought
+it was better not.'
+
+This last remark seemed to arouse Frances.
+
+'Yes,' she agreed heartily, 'I think it was much better not.' Then,
+after a moment or two's silence, 'I wonder how much it is worth?' she
+went on; 'ten or twenty pounds, I daresay?'
+
+'Ten or twenty!' repeated Jacinth; 'oh, much more than that. Forty or
+fifty at least, I should say.'
+
+Frances gasped.
+
+'What a lot of things one could do with as much money as that!' she
+said. 'I daresay it would be enough to--to'----
+
+'To what?' said Jacinth, a little impatience in her tone.
+
+'Oh--only something I was thinking of--some one who's ill and can't do
+what the doctor says,' replied Frances, confusedly.
+
+Jacinth felt irritated.
+
+'I don't understand you, Frances,' she said. 'Do you want to take away
+my pleasure in my watch? I've never had one before, you know, and lots
+of girls have watches, quite young. Of course I know the value of it
+would do lots of things--make some poor family quite rich for a year.
+But when you get a new frock of some good stuff and nicely made, I don't
+say to you that you might have had it of common print, run up anyhow,
+and spent the rest on poor people. You don't see things fairly,
+Frances.'
+
+Frances recognised the sense of Jacinth's argument, but she could not
+explain herself.
+
+'I didn't mean that exactly,' she said. 'I know there have to be degrees
+of things--rich and poor, and I suppose it's not wrong to be rich,
+if--if one doesn't get selfish. That isn't what I meant. I'm very
+pleased you've got the watch, Jass, and I wish I hadn't said that.'
+
+'I wish you hadn't too,' said her sister. 'It has taken away a good deal
+of my pleasure; and somehow, Frances, very often now, I don't understand
+you. I know you are never the least jealous, you haven't it in you, but
+yet you don't seem to like to see me happy. I could almost think you are
+what Aunt Alison would call "morbid."'
+
+'I don't think I know what that means,' said Frances, sadly, though she
+had a sort of idea what Jacinth wished to express.
+
+'Sometimes,' continued Jacinth, 'I have a feeling that other girls have
+come between you and me. If it could be--if I really thought it was the
+Harpers, though they do seem nice, I would almost hate them. One way and
+another, they do seem to have been the cause of a lot of worry.'
+
+'Oh Jass, it isn't their fault--truly it isn't,' pleaded Frances, almost
+in tears. 'I haven't been very happy lately, but indeed it isn't that
+I'm changed to you. Perhaps after a while you'll understand me better.
+If only mamma was at home'----
+
+'It's no good wishing for that,' replied Jacinth. 'And you are so queer,
+I really don't know if you'd be pleased if things did happen to make
+mamma come home. I was going to tell you some things,' she added
+mysteriously, 'but I think I'd better not.'
+
+And, to her surprise, her hints, instead of whetting her sister's
+curiosity, seemed rather to alarm her.
+
+'No,' she agreed, 'if it's anything about Lady----or, or _plans_, I'd
+rather not know. I hate any sort of secret.'
+
+She said the last few words almost roughly, and Jacinth, in spite of
+her irritation, felt sorry for her. It was evident that poor little
+Frances had something on her mind. But the elder sister did not invite
+her confidence.
+
+'I believe it _has_ to do with these girls,' she thought, 'and if it
+has, I don't want to know it. So Frances and I are quits; she doesn't
+want my secrets and I don't want hers. Honor Falmouth says it is
+uncertain if the Harpers will stay after Christmas. I'm sure I hope they
+won't. Frances would forget all about them once they were away. She is
+such a baby.'
+
+But her own words had suggested some comfort to Frances. 'If only mamma
+were here!' she had said. And suddenly she remembered that though mamma
+herself could not be hoped for, a letter--a letter in answer to her own
+long one enclosing Camilla Harper's--would soon be due.
+
+'It is five--no, six weeks since I sent it,' she thought joyfully. 'I
+must hear soon. And then I do hope mamma will say it is best to tell
+Jass all about it, whether Jass is vexed with me or not; and even if
+there's _no_ chance of making Lady Myrtle kind to them, I'd far rather
+Jass knew all I know.'
+
+She sighed, but there was relief in her sigh. And when in another moment
+she began talking cheerfully about Jacinth's visit, and all she had done
+at Robin Redbreast, her sister almost decided that she herself had been
+fanciful and exaggerated about Frances--making mountains out of
+molehills. Jacinth was very anxious to take this view of things; it was
+much more comfortable to think that the Harpers had had nothing to do
+with Frances's fits of depression.
+
+'And after all,' thought Jacinth, 'why should we bother about them? As
+likely as not they're no relation to Lady Myrtle, or so distant that it
+doesn't count. And it's really not our business.'
+
+It is seldom the case that a looked-for letter--especially from a great
+distance--arrives when hoped for. And Frances had hoped for her mother's
+reply by the very first date possible.
+
+She was not disappointed. They came--a good fat letter for her, a
+thinner one for Jacinth. They lay on the hall table one day when the
+girls came home from school; having arrived by the mid-day post, in
+which Thetford now rejoiced.
+
+Frances seized her letter, her cheeks flushing with excitement.
+
+'What a thick letter you've got this time!' said Jacinth. But Frances
+scarcely heard her.
+
+'Oh, I do so hope I shall have time to read it before dinner!' she said.
+
+'You've half--no, twenty-five minutes,' said Jacinth. 'Run and get ready
+first; it won't take you any time, and then you can read your letter in
+peace. That's what I'm going to do.'
+
+Frances took her sister's advice, and she managed to make her appearance
+in the dining-room punctually, the precious letter in her pocket, its
+contents already digested. She was rosier than usual, and Jacinth, who
+knew her ways so well, could see that she was struggling to keep down
+her excitement. Jacinth herself was not sorry when dinner was over and
+she was free to talk to Frances, after answering a question or two from
+her aunt about their Indian news.
+
+'Frances,' said her sister, when they found themselves in their own
+little sitting-room, 'mamma tells me that she has written a good deal
+more to you this time than to me, as there was something particular you
+asked her about. And she says you will tell it me all, or show me her
+letter.'
+
+[Illustration: Jacinth's brows contracted, and the lines of her delicate
+face hardened, but she said nothing.]
+
+Frances drew out her packet.
+
+'There's more than one letter there, surely,' said Jacinth, with some
+curiosity.
+
+'Yes,' said Frances, 'there's one I sent on to mamma to read, and she's
+sent it back, so that you can see it now. I daresay you'll be angry with
+me for not having told you about it before, but I can't help it if you
+are. Mamma says I did the best I could; but I am so glad for you to know
+all about it now,' and she gave a great sigh.
+
+Jacinth, more and more curious, took the letters which Frances gave her,
+and began to read them eagerly. Rather unfortunately, the first she
+began was Camilla Harper's, and she went to the end of it in spite of
+Frances's 'Oh, do read mamma's first, Jass.'
+
+Jacinth's brows contracted, and the lines of her delicate face hardened,
+but she said nothing--nothing really audible, that is to say, though a
+murmur escaped her of, 'I knew it had something to do with them; it is
+too bad.'
+
+When she had finished, she looked up at her sister.
+
+'There is a good deal more for you to explain,' she said, coldly. 'Mamma
+says you will do so--not that I want to hear it. And as you have got so
+thoroughly in the way of having secrets from me, and now that you have
+friends you care for more than me, I really don't see why I need to be
+mixed up in this affair at all.'
+
+'Oh Jass, dear Jass, don't speak like that,' exclaimed Frances, the
+ever-ready tears starting to her eyes. 'I couldn't help it. Read again
+what mamma says.'
+
+'I know what she says,' Jacinth replied. 'I don't need to read it
+again. I am waiting for you to tell me the whole.'
+
+It was difficult, but Frances was eager to re-establish confidence with
+her sister. She told the whole--even how the old Christmas card in her
+pocket had brought up the subject of Robin Redbreast, and how Bessie had
+asked her to tell no one but her mother, if she could help it; then how
+Camilla's letter had repeated this, ending up by what had recently come
+to her knowledge of the increased troubles of the Harper family.
+
+'Oh Jass,' she concluded, 'if we could help them somehow. I am so glad
+mamma has met that aunt of theirs--_isn't_ it lucky? Perhaps she'll be
+able now to manage something without vexing Captain and Mrs Harper.'
+
+Jacinth lifted her head and looked at Frances. She was paler than usual.
+
+'I really do think you must be a sort of an idiot,' she said.
+'Otherwise, I should be forced to believe you had no real family
+affection at all. Surely the Harpers might teach you to have _that_,
+however much mischief they have made in other ways.'
+
+Frances stared at her, dumb with perplexity.
+
+'What _do_ you mean, Jacinth?' she said at last.
+
+Jacinth for once lost her self-control.
+
+'Do you not care for your own father and mother to get anything good?'
+she said. 'Papa's life has been hard enough--so has ours--separated
+almost ever since we can remember from our parents. And it is all a
+question of money, to put it plainly, though it is horrid of you to
+force me to say it. Do you think papa, who is far from a young man now,
+stays out in that climate for pleasure--wearing himself out to be sure
+of his pension? And if Lady Myrtle chooses to treat _us_ as her
+relations--mamma, the daughter of her dearest friend--instead of the son
+of that bad, wretched brother of hers--why shouldn't she? And you would
+ruin everything by silly interference in behalf of people we have
+nothing to do with: very likely you'd do no good to _them_, and only
+offend her for ever with us. Do you understand _now_ what I mean?'
+
+Frances was trembling, but she would not cry.
+
+'Mamma does not see it that way,' she said. 'She is pleased and
+delighted at Lady Myrtle being so kind, but she _does_ care about the
+Harpers too. Read what she says,' and Frances hurriedly unfolded the
+letter again till she found the passage she wanted.
+
+This was what Mrs Mildmay said, after expressing her sympathy with all
+Frances had told her, and advising her now to tell the whole to Jacinth.
+'I remember vaguely about the Harper family in the old days,' she wrote.
+'I know that Lady Myrtle's two brothers caused her much trouble,
+especially the younger, really embittering her life. But for many years
+I have heard nothing of her or any of the family till just now, for a
+curious coincidence has happened. A few days before I got your long
+letter, enclosing Miss Harper's, and dear Jacinth's too, telling of her
+invitation to Robin Redbreast, I had met a Mrs Lyle, whose husband has
+got an appointment here. And Mrs Lyle is Captain Harper's sister. I like
+her very much, and we have already made great friends. She is very
+frank, and devoted to her brother and his family; and when she heard of
+my children being at Thetford, in talking, one thing led to another, so
+that I really knew all you tell me--and perhaps more. It will be rather
+difficult for you and Jacinth--for Jassie especially--to avoid all
+appearance of interference, as that would do harm on both sides. But
+still you may find opportunities of speaking warmly and admiringly of
+the Harper girls, whenever your school happens to be mentioned. That can
+do _no_ harm, and may even help to pave the way for bringing about a
+better state of things some day. For I do feel most interested in the
+Harpers, and every time we meet, Mrs Lyle and I talk about them, and all
+the troubles they have really so nobly borne.'
+
+Then Mrs Mildmay went on to speak of her pleasure in her children's
+having won Lady Myrtle's kindness, adding that she would look forward
+eagerly to the next letters, telling of Jacinth's visit.
+
+'Marmy says,' she wrote, 'that it must have been a presentiment which
+made you all take such a fancy to that quaint old house, even though you
+only saw it from the outside.'
+
+All this Frances read again boldly to her sister. Jacinth did not
+interrupt her, but listened in silence.
+
+'Well,' she said, when Frances stopped, 'I told you I had read all mamma
+said.'
+
+'Then why are you so angry with me?' demanded Frances bluntly. 'If I am
+a sort of an idiot, mamma is too.'
+
+Jacinth did not reply.
+
+'Mamma says you are not to attempt to interfere,' she said at last.
+
+'I am not going to. I wouldn't do so for the Harpers' sake, much more
+than for Lady Myrtle's. The Harpers have trusted me, and I won't do
+anything they wouldn't like.'
+
+'Well,' said Jacinth bitterly, 'you'd better write it all to mamma--all
+the horrid, calculating, selfish things I've said. You've got quite
+separated from me now, so that it really doesn't matter what you say of
+me.'
+
+This was too much. Frances at last dissolved into tears and flung
+herself upon her sister, entreating her 'not to say such things,' to
+believe that nobody in the world--not Bessie or Margaret or
+_anybody_--could ever make up to her for her own dear Jass.
+
+'You're not selfish,' she said. 'You're far more unselfish, really, than
+I am. For I never think of things. I see I've never thought enough of
+poor papa and mamma, and how hard it's been for them in many ways,
+though I did say to Bessie the other day that, whatever troubles they'd
+had, they'd not been parted from each other the way we've been.'
+
+'I'm glad you said that,' Jacinth condescended to say, 'just to let them
+see that they're not the only people in the world who have to bear
+things.'
+
+'Oh, they _don't_ think that,' said Frances. 'And Jass,' she went on,
+encouraged by her sister's softer tone, and encircling her neck fondly
+with her two arms as she sat, half on Jacinth's knee, half on the edge
+of her chair, 'I don't quite see why being sorry for the poor Harpers,
+and--and--wishing we could make Lady Myrtle feel so too, need make her
+leave off being kind to us too. That's how mamma sees it. I am not only
+thinking of the Harpers, Jass; indeed, I'm not. I'm looking forward more
+than I can tell you to what you said--that when papa and mamma come
+home, Lady Myrtle is going to invite us all to stay with her. Oh, it
+would be lovely!' and the little girl clasped her hands together. 'All
+the same,' she went on, 'I don't think I want ever to go to Robin
+Redbreast till that time comes. I can't feel natural there, and I'm
+afraid of vexing you or doing harm somehow.'
+
+'It is not in our hands--not in mine, any way,' said Jacinth quietly.
+'All you have told me makes no difference to me. I am not going to
+meddle, and I shall not mention the Harpers at all, if I can help it.'
+
+'Not even in the way mamma says we might?' said Frances.
+
+'No--not at all, if I can help it. I do not want to spoil the happiness
+of being with Lady Myrtle by bringing up disagreeable subjects. I shall
+tell mamma so when I write.'
+
+Frances was silent. After all, she reflected, perhaps it did not much
+matter. Jacinth did not know Bessie and Margaret as _she_ did, and now
+that her sister understood the whole--the near relationship and the
+whole story, perhaps it _would_ be very difficult for her to come upon
+the subject naturally.
+
+'Honor Falmouth says,' remarked Jacinth in a moment or two, 'that she
+has heard that perhaps the girls are not coming back to school after the
+Christmas holidays.'
+
+'Oh,' exclaimed Frances, looking greatly troubled, 'oh, Jass, I do hope
+it's not true.'
+
+'I should not be very sorry,' said Jacinth, 'except,' she added with
+some effort, 'except for your sake. And of course I have never said that
+they were not very nice girls. I know they are, only--it has been so
+tiresome and unlucky. I just wish we had never known them.'
+
+'I wish sometimes we had never known Lady Myrtle,' said Frances. 'You
+and I have _never_ been--like this--with each other before, Jass.'
+
+'Well, we needn't quarrel about it,' said her sister. 'Let's try to keep
+off the subject of the Harper family. For _I_ can do them no good.'
+
+'Very well,' said Frances, though rather sadly. 'I wonder,' she went on
+thinking to herself--'I wonder why Bessie and Margaret are perhaps to
+leave school; they are getting on so well.'
+
+She was too unpractical to guess at the truth--which Jacinth had thought
+it useless to mention as a part of Miss Falmouth's information--that
+their parents could no longer afford to pay for them.
+
+'For to be gentlepeople, as they undoubtedly are in every sense of the
+word,' the girl had said, 'they are really _awfully_ poor. I have heard
+so from some people who know them at that place where they live. It is
+quite a little seaside place, where people who want to be quiet go for
+bathing in the summer. But the Harpers live there all the year round. It
+must be fearfully dull.'
+
+'Yes,' Jacinth agreed, 'it can't be lively. Still, being poor isn't the
+only trouble in the world.'
+
+'No,' Miss Falmouth replied, 'but I fear they have others too. Captain
+Harper is so delicate.'
+
+Jacinth said no more. Honor Falmouth was a kind-hearted but not
+particularly thoughtful girl, and she forgot all about the Harpers in
+five minutes. Her visit to Robin Redbreast had never come to pass, and
+Jacinth did not very specially regret it. She liked best to be alone
+with Lady Myrtle. So the relationship of the young Harpers to the old
+lady had never come to Honor's knowledge, as it might perhaps have done
+if her attention had been drawn to Lady Myrtle by visiting at her house.
+And at Christmas Honor was leaving school.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+THE HARPERS' HOME.
+
+
+Southcliff was a very dull little place, especially so in winter, of
+course. In fine weather there is always a charm about the seaside, even
+on the barest and least picturesque coast. There are the endless
+varieties of sky panorama--the wonderful sunsets, if you are lucky
+enough to face seawards to the west; the constantly changing effects of
+light and colour reflected in the water itself. And on a wild or rugged
+coast, winter and stormy weather bring of course their own grand though
+terrible displays.
+
+But Southcliff, despite its promising name, was tame in the extreme. The
+'cliff' was so meagre and unimposing as to suggest the suspicion of
+being only an artificial or semi-artificial erection; the shore had no
+excitement about it, not even that of quicksands. It was the 'safest'
+spot all along the coast; even the most suicidally disposed of small
+boys could _scarcely_ come to mischief there. The tides went out and
+came in with an almost bourgeois regularity and respectability; there
+was no possibility of being 'surprised' by the waves; no lifeboat,
+because within the memory of man no vessel of any description whatever
+had been wrecked there; no lighthouse, no smugglers' caves of ancient
+fame, no possibility of adventure of any kind--'no nothing,' Bessie
+Harper was once heard to say, when she was very little, ''cept the sea
+and the sky.'
+
+A grand exception those, however, as we have said. And dull though it
+was, there were some people who loved the little place as their home,
+and were most ready to be happy in it.
+
+It had some few distinct advantages. It was _very_ healthy, and for
+these days very cheap. There was a good church, venerable and well cared
+for; the few, very few residents were all estimable and some
+interesting. Such as it was, take it all in all, it had seemed a very
+haven of refuge to Captain Harper and his wife when, some eight or ten
+years ago, they had pitched their tent there, after the last hopes of
+recovering any of Mrs Harper's lost money--hopes which for long had
+every now and then buoyed them up only to prove again delusive--had
+finally deserted them.
+
+'At anyrate,' the wife, with her irrepressibly sanguine nature, had
+said, 'we have the comfort of now knowing the worst. And Colin and
+Bertram are started. _What_ a good thing the boys were the eldest! There
+is only Fitz to think about, and we'll manage him somehow. For _of
+course_ the three girls will turn out well. Look at Camilla already.'
+
+Fitz was then about five--the youngest son, the youngest of the family
+excepting delicate little Margaret. He _was_ 'managed,' and not badly,
+though a public school was an impossibility; his destination proved to
+be the navy, and thither at the proper age he made his way in orthodox
+fashion. The girls, helped by their mother, and by their father too, did
+their best, and it was far from a bad best. They were naturally
+intelligent; intensely anxious to seize all opportunities of learning,
+so that a stray chance of half a dozen lessons in music or French did
+more for them than as many years will do for most ordinary girls; they
+were, the two elder ones at least, wonderfully healthy in mind and
+body, bright-tempered, faithful, unselfish, inheriting from their father
+the noble characteristics which in some mysterious way had in him so
+flourished as to oust all the reckless and contemptible qualities of the
+Bernard Harper who had half-broken his sister's heart, and brought down
+in sorrow to the grave his gray-haired father.
+
+But alas! they had _not_ known the worst, as the loving, brave-spirited
+wife and mother had believed. In some sense, it is true, they had not
+known the _best_, for the years had brought many satisfactions, many
+unlooked-for, though unimportant, mitigations of the poverty so hard to
+bear cheerfully--people had been 'very kind.' But the poverty itself had
+increased. There were literally unavoidable expenses for 'the boys,' if
+they were not to be stranded in their careers; there was an unexpected
+rising of the rent owing to their good landlord's sudden death by
+accident; there was, worst of all, the terrible strain of Captain
+Harper's ill-health. In itself this was sad enough for the wife and
+daughters who adored him: it became almost an agony when, joined to the
+knowledge that more money, and not so very much more, might both relieve
+his suffering and hold out a reasonable prospect of comparative
+restoration.
+
+One operation--now some years ago--had succeeded for the time; but not
+being followed by the treatment at home and residence abroad prescribed,
+the improvement had not been lasting. Then it was that Mrs Lyle had
+written to her aunt, with the result that we know. Her letter was
+returned unopened.
+
+Then there came a period of comparative comfort, and for two or three
+years the family at Hedge End (such was the not very euphonious name of
+the Harpers' house) took heart again, and began to be sure 'father was
+going to get well all of himself, after all.' And during this time some
+other cheering things came to pass. An old acquaintance of long-ago days
+between Mrs Harper and the Misses Scarlett was renewed by the ladies of
+Ivy Lodge coming to Southcliff one Midsummer holiday-time for sea-air,
+and this resulted in their offering to take Camilla, then almost
+grown-up, and later her younger sisters, on exceptionally moderate
+terms. The news from and of the far-away 'boys' was regular and good.
+The parents began to breathe freely, and to dare to hope that they had
+passed the worst of their troubles.
+
+But alas! it was only an interlude. Scarcely had Bessie and Margaret
+been settled at Ivy Lodge when there came anxiety about Colin--tidings
+of his prostration by a bad attack of fever; then, when he was able to
+write of his recovery, little Fitz broke his leg, and had to be brought
+home at the cost of much expense as well as distress to be nursed well
+again. And worst of all, through these many weeks a terrible suspicion
+was dawning on poor Captain Harper--a suspicion all too soon to be
+changed into a certainty--that he himself was falling back again, that
+the very symptoms he had been warned of were reappearing, and that
+unless something were done he might find himself a hopeless and complete
+cripple.
+
+He kept it to himself till Fitz was all right again; then it had to be
+told. And the painful journey to London, which Frances heard of at
+school, followed, with the great doctor's terribly perplexing verdict.
+
+What was to be done? Every conceivable suggestion was made and
+discussed, but so far no definite scheme had been hit upon.
+
+It was at this juncture that the mail which brought the letter from her
+mother so anxiously looked for by Frances Mildmay, brought also tidings
+from Mrs Lyle to her relations at Southcliff.
+
+_This_ letter came at breakfast-time; there was no mid-day post at the
+little bathing-place, but it was nearer London than Thetford.
+
+'From Aunt Flora, mother,' said Camilla, the only one besides her young
+brother now at home. 'I do hope it is cheerful, otherwise----No, I
+suppose it would not do for you to read it first before giving it to
+father?'
+
+Mrs Harper shook her head. She was a slight dark-haired woman, at first
+sight more like her youngest daughter than the others, but with a much
+more hopeful expression in her eyes, and far greater firmness and
+determination in all the lines of her face, so that, in spite of
+superficial dissimilarity, Bessie Harper really resembled her mother
+more nearly than either Camilla, calm, gentle, by nature possibly, a
+little indolent, or the nervous, anxious-minded Margaret.
+
+'No,' she replied, 'it is no use keeping anything from your father. He
+has got an almost magic power of finding out things. Besides, your Aunt
+Flora always tries to cheer him if she can. Put the letter on the tray
+beside his breakfast, Camilla. I will take it up myself.'
+
+Camilla and Fitz had almost finished their meal before Mrs Harper
+returned.
+
+'I do hope there's nothing wrong,' said Camilla, with the
+apprehensiveness which reiterated experience of ill-tidings begets in
+even the calmest nature.
+
+'It can't be my having broken my leg again,' said her brother, with a
+not very successful attempt at a joke; 'it was horrid, but I wouldn't
+mind breaking the other any day if it would save father's getting
+worse.'
+
+But at that moment their mother came in. Her face was decidedly brighter
+than when she had left the room.
+
+'Mother dear, do eat some breakfast. You'll be quite faint,' said
+Camilla, tenderly; 'I was nearly going after you to see if anything were
+the matter.'
+
+'No dear, thank you,' replied her mother. 'Your aunt's letter is
+unusually interesting. Fancy! is it not a curious coincidence?--rather a
+pleasant one, indeed--the Lyles have just made acquaintance at this new
+place with Colonel and Mrs Mildmay, the parents of the two girls at Miss
+Scarlett's.'
+
+Camilla looked up with a little misgiving.
+
+'Aunt Flora is not very discreet always, mother,' she said; 'I hope she
+won't have confided too much to Mrs Mildmay. It might come round in some
+disagreeable way to--Robin Redbreast.'
+
+'I think Mrs Mildmay must be particularly nice and sensible,' Mrs Harper
+replied. 'Of course your aunt has talked to her about Lady Myrtle and
+all the old story; it would scarcely have been in human nature,
+certainly not in Flora's nature, not to do so, when she found that her
+new friend was the daughter of Lady Jacinth Denison; but I don't see
+that it can do any harm. Mrs Mildmay has seen nothing of Lady Myrtle
+since she was a little child; it is only quite lately, as we know, that
+your great-aunt has come across the Mildmay girls, really by accident.
+Mrs Mildmay is pleased at it, for her mother's sake, but I am sure she
+is not a person to make any mischief. Indeed,' she added with some
+hesitation, 'it is just possible that indirectly it may do good. Not
+that your aunt suggests anything of the kind.'
+
+Camilla's face flushed.
+
+'I should hope not, indeed,' she said indignantly; 'when you think of
+the insult she exposed herself and us to, that time, mother, it would be
+_impossible_ ever to accept any help from Lady Myrtle.'
+
+But Mrs Harper did not at once reply. Her face had grown very grave, and
+her eyes seemed to be looking far into things.
+
+'I cannot quite say that,' she answered at last. 'There are times when I
+am afraid to say what I would not accept, for your father's sake. I feel
+as if I would consent to anything not wrong or sinful that could save
+him. And remember, we must be just. As things are, Lady Myrtle knows
+nothing of us except that we are poor. And there is every excuse for her
+deep-seated prepossessions against her brother Bernard's family. Pride
+must not blind our fair judgment, Camilla.'
+
+The girl did not reply. She felt the reasonableness of her mother's
+argument.
+
+'But oh,' she thought to herself, 'I should _hate_ to be indebted to
+Lady Myrtle for any help. What would I not do--what would we all not do,
+rather than that!'
+
+Her feelings might almost have been written on her face, for Fitz, who
+had been listening silently, though intently, to the conversation, here
+made a remark which might have been a remonstrance with her unspoken
+protest.
+
+'There's one thing to be said,' began the boy. 'Even though it's all
+Lady Myrtle's by _law_, it came to her from father's own grandfather. If
+our grandfather had been good, his share would have been his and then
+father's and then ours. There's a sort of right about it. It isn't as if
+it was all Lady Myrtle's own in any other way--through her husband, for
+instance--and that she did anything for us just out of pity, because we
+were relations. That _would_ be horrid.'
+
+Fitz was only fifteen, but he and Margaret seemed older than their
+years, as is not unusual with the youngest members of a large family.
+Besides, all the Harpers had grown up in full knowledge of and sympathy
+with their parents' anxieties. Living as they did, in closest family
+union, it would have been all but impossible to prevent its being so,
+save by some forced and unnatural reticence, the evil of which would
+have been greater than the risk of saddening the children by premature
+cares.
+
+So neither Mrs Harper nor her daughter felt the least inclined to 'snub'
+the boy for his observation, which contained a strong element of
+common-sense.
+
+'Lady Myrtle's wealth comes _in part_ from her husband,' said Mrs
+Harper. 'That makes one feel the more strongly that the Harper portion
+should to some extent return to where it is so needed. But your father
+has told me that the Elvedons are sure to inherit some of it, and that
+is quite right.'
+
+'And,' said Camilla, with a little effort, anxious to show her mother
+that she did wish to be quite 'fair-judging,' 'you know, Fitz, as we
+have often said, if our grandfather, being what he was, had got his
+share, it is most improbable that any of it would have come to father.
+After all,' she added with an honest smile that lighted up her quiet
+face and made it almost as bright as Bessie's--'after all, it was better
+for the money to be kept together by Lady Myrtle, than for it to be
+thrown away and _nobody_ to have any good of it. She is a generous old
+woman, too, in outside ways. I see her name in connection with several
+philanthropic institutions.'
+
+'And really good and well-managed things, your father says. She must be
+a wise and considerate woman,' said Mrs Harper.
+
+'All the more pity, then, that she and father have never come together,'
+said Camilla with a sigh. 'She would be able to appreciate him. I never
+could imagine any one wiser and juster than father--though you come
+pretty near him sometimes, I must say, mother;' and she smiled again.
+'Neither of you is ever the least bit unfair to any one, and it does
+take such a lot of self-control and--and--a wonderfully well-balanced
+mind, I suppose, to be like that.'
+
+'I have only learned it--if I have learned it--from your father,'
+replied Mrs Harper. 'At your age I was dreadfully impetuous and hasty. I
+often wonder, dear child, how you can be so thoughtful and helpful as
+you are.'
+
+Camilla's eyes sparkled with pleasure.
+
+'Mother,' she said, 'we mustn't degenerate into a mutual admiration
+society. I shall tell father how we've been buttering each other up all
+breakfast-time. It will amuse him. I'm going to see if he will have some
+more tea.'
+
+And she ran off.
+
+By mid-day Captain Harper was established on his sofa in the little
+drawing-room, which his wife and daughters still strove so _very_ hard
+to keep fresh and pretty. From this sofa, alas! especially now that
+winter was in the ascendant even at sheltered Southcliff, the invalid
+was but seldom able to move. For walking had become exceedingly painful
+and difficult, and so slow that even a little fresh air at the best part
+of the day could only be procured at the risk of chill and cold--a risk
+great and dangerous. And barely six months ago the tap of his crutch had
+been one of the most familiar sounds in the little town; he had been
+able to walk two or three miles with perfect ease and the hearty
+enjoyment which his happy nature seemed to find under all circumstances.
+It had not proved untrue to itself even now. There was a smile on his
+somewhat worn face--a smile that was seen in the eyes too, as real
+smiles should always be--as his daughter came into the room to see that
+he had everything he wanted about him.
+
+'It is really getting colder at last, father,' she said. 'At Thetford,
+Bessie writes, they have had some snow. And Margaret was delighted
+because it made her think of Christmas, and Christmas means coming
+home.'
+
+'Poor old Mag!' said Captain Harper. 'Mag' was his own special name for
+his youngest daughter; and no one else was allowed to use it. 'Poor old
+Mag! I really think she's very happy at school, though--don't you,
+Camilla? Bessie, I knew, would be all right, but I had my misgivings
+about Mag. And it is in every way such a splendid chance for them. It
+would be'----And he hesitated.
+
+'What, father?'
+
+'Such a pity to break it up,' he said, 'as--we have almost come to think
+must be done.'
+
+'They would be perfectly miserable to stay there, if they understood--as
+indeed they do now,' Camilla replied, 'that it would be only at the cost
+of what you _must_ have, father dear.'
+
+Her voice, though low, was very resolute. Captain Harper glanced at her
+half-wistfully.
+
+'I wish you didn't all see things that way,' he said. 'You see it's
+this, Camilla. If I go up to London to be under Maclean for three
+months, it _may_ set me up again to a certain point, but unless it be
+followed by the "kur" at the baths, and then by that other "massage"
+business within a year or so, it would be just the old story, just what
+it was before, only that I am three or four years older than I was,
+and--certainly not stronger. So this is the question--is it _worth
+while_? It will be at such a cost--stopping Bessie and Mag's schooling,
+wearing out your mother and you--for what will be more trying than
+letting this house for the spring, as must be done, and moving you girls
+into poky lodgings. That, at least, we have hitherto managed not to do.
+And then the strain on your poor mother being up alone with me in
+London--so dreary for her too. And at best to think that a partial,
+temporary cure is all we can hope for. No, my child, I cannot see that
+it is worth it. I am happy at home, and more than content to bear what
+must be, after all not so very bad. And I _may_ not get worse. Do,
+darling, try to make your mother see it my way.'
+
+It was not often--very, very seldom indeed--that Captain Harper talked
+so much or so long of himself. Now he lay back half-exhausted, his face,
+which had been somewhat flushed, growing paler than before.
+
+Camilla wound her arms round him and hid her face on his shoulder.
+
+'Father dearest,' she whispered, doing her best to hide any sign of
+tears in her voice, 'don't be vexed or disappointed, but I _can't_ see
+it that way. It seems presumptuous for me to argue with you, but don't
+you see?--the first duty seems so clear, to do what we _can_. Surely
+there can be no doubt at all about that? And who knows--_something_ may
+happen to make the rest of what is prescribed for you possible. And even
+if not, and if the three months in London only do a little good, at
+least we should all feel we had tried everything. Father dearest, if we
+_didn't_ do it, do you think mother and Bessie and I--and the boys when
+they hear of it, and even the two little ones--do you think we should
+ever again feel one moment's peace of mind? Every time you looked paler
+or feebler, every time we saw you give the least little wince of
+pain--why, I think we should go out of our minds. It would be
+unendurable.'
+
+Captain Harper stroked her fair soft hair fondly.
+
+'But, dear, suppose it doesn't do any good, or much? Suppose'--and his
+voice grew very low and tender--'suppose all this increased suffering
+and weakness is only the beginning of the end--and sometimes I cannot
+help thinking it would be best so--my darling, it would _have_ to be
+endured.'
+
+Camilla raised her tear-stained face and looked at her father bravely.
+
+'I know,' she said quietly. 'It may be. Mother and I don't deceive
+ourselves, though it is no use dwelling upon terrible possibilities. But
+even then, don't you see the difference? We should feel that we had done
+our best, and--and that more was not God's will.'
+
+'Yes,' said her father, 'I see how you mean. I suppose I should feel the
+same if it were about your mother or one of you.'
+
+'And father,' Camilla went on more cheerfully, 'don't worry about the
+girls leaving school; it won't do them lasting harm. They have got a
+good start, and they are still very young. Some time or other they may
+have another opportunity, as I had. And Margaret is such a delicate
+little creature. Father, I wouldn't have said it if they had been going
+to stay at Thetford, but I have had my misgivings about her being fit
+to be so far away. I fear she is very homesick sometimes.'
+
+'Do you really think so?' said Captain Harper with a start. 'Poor little
+soul! If I thought so--ah dear, my home was not much, but still while my
+mother lived it _was_ home, and oh how I remember what I suffered when I
+left it! Who is it that speaks of "the fiend homesickness?" The mere
+dread of it would reconcile me to having them back again.'
+
+'Then I am very thankful I told you,' said the girl. 'And father, is it
+not nice to know that in spite of everything we girls have _not_ come
+off badly? Bessie and Margaret took good places at once, and I did too,
+you know. Indeed, Miss Scarlett said that if I had thought of being a
+governess, she would have been very glad to have me.'
+
+'I know,' said her father. 'Well, there is no necessity for that as yet,
+except for governessing the younger ones as you used to do. And if
+things go better with me, even if I'm only not worse, when we come home
+again I can take you all three for Latin and German and mathematics.'
+
+Camilla's eyes sparkled. She was so delighted to have talked him into
+acquiescence and hopefulness.
+
+'We shall work so hard the three months we are by ourselves that you
+will be quite astonished,' she said. 'And old Mrs Newing will make us
+very comfortable; it's there we're to live, you know. It will really be
+great fun.'
+
+So from this time the move to London was decided upon for Captain and
+Mrs Harper.
+
+And when Bessie and Margaret bade their companions good-bye at the
+beginning of the Christmas holidays, they knew, though it had been
+thought best to say little about it, and the good Misses Scarlett
+refused to look upon it as anything but a temporary break, that it was
+good-bye for much longer than was supposed--good-bye perhaps and not
+improbably for always, to Ivy Lodge and Thetford and all their friends.
+
+Bessie felt it sorely. Little Margaret was all absorbed in the delight
+of going 'home' again. But both were at one in the real sorrow with
+which they parted from their companions, among whom no one had won a
+more lasting place in their affection than blunt, warm-hearted, honest
+Frances Mildmay.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+GREAT NEWS.
+
+
+The first Christmas at a strange place or in a new home is always full
+of mingled feelings. Even when the change has been a happy one, not
+brought about by sorrows of any kind, the old associations give a sort
+of melancholy to the thankfulness and joy we all wish to feel at this
+time. And for the young Mildmays it was more than natural that the
+sadness should predominate.
+
+'Only a year ago _how_ different it was!' sighed Frances, the first
+morning of the holidays, when there was no school to hurry off
+to--nothing particular to do or look forward to. 'I shall be very glad
+when it's time to begin lessons again.'
+
+'I don't see why you should feel so particularly gloomy just now,' said
+Jacinth, not unkindly. 'Things might have been a good deal worse than
+they are.'
+
+'People can always say that,' replied Frances. 'If you've got to have a
+leg cut off, you can say to yourself it might have been both legs. I
+daresay having Robin Redbreast to go to makes it much nicer for you; I
+suppose you'll go there a good deal during the holidays. But it doesn't
+make much difference to me. Lady Myrtle doesn't ask me often, and I
+don't want her to. I'm quite glad for you to go there, but it's not the
+same for me.'
+
+And again she sighed.
+
+'What _would_ make you happier, then?' asked Jacinth.
+
+'Oh, I don't know. Nothing that could be, I suppose. Nothing will make
+very much difference till papa and mamma come home. There are one or two
+things that are making me particularly unhappy, besides the thinking
+it's Christmas and how changed everything is, but--I daresay it's no
+good speaking of them.'
+
+'I know what one of them is,' said Jacinth. 'I can guess it: shall I
+tell you what it is?'
+
+'If you like,' Frances replied.
+
+'It's about the Harpers--Bessie and Margaret--not coming back again to
+school,' said her sister.
+
+'How did you know about it?' inquired Frances. 'They didn't tell even
+me--not really. But I know they were very sad about their father being
+so much worse, and once, a few days ago, Bessie said it was almost
+settled they were going to let their house at that place where they
+live, and that their father and mother were going to be a long time in
+London, and of course that will cost a lot of money--the going to
+London, I mean. And--I could tell,' and Frances's voice sounded rather
+suspicious--'I could tell--by the way, they kissed me--when--when they
+said good-bye--I could _tell_ they weren't coming back,' and here the
+choking down of a sob was very audible.
+
+For a wonder Jacinth did not seem at all irritated. Truth to tell, she,
+too, had felt very sorry for the Harper girls--Bessie especially--and as
+we know, though she did not allow it to herself, her conscience was not
+entirely at ease about them. Something had touched her, too, in Bessie's
+manner when they bade each other good-bye.
+
+'Will you kiss me, Jacinth?' Bessie had said. 'I have been so glad to
+know you.'
+
+'I have not felt sorry enough for them perhaps,' Jacinth had allowed to
+herself. 'But really, there are so many sad things in the world, one
+would wear one's self out with being sorry for everybody.'
+
+'How did you know about it?' Frances repeated.
+
+'I heard something a good while ago from Honor Falmouth; don't you
+remember?' said Jacinth. 'And last week she told me more, only she said
+they didn't want any fuss made about it. She heard it from friends. But
+Frances, do try and cheer up. You've been as kind--at least as
+affectionate--as you could be to the Harpers. We hadn't it in our power
+to ask them here or anything like that. I'm sure you tried to get Aunt
+Alison to ask them, over and over again. And you won't do them any good
+by crying about their troubles, you know, dear. Perhaps they may come
+back to school some time or other, even if they're away next term.'
+
+'Thank you, dear Jass,' said Frances, wiping her eyes. 'You're very
+kind. I'll try and not be dull.'
+
+She would perhaps have been less grateful for Jacinth's sympathy had she
+understood the relief it was to her sister, notwithstanding her genuine
+pity for them, to know that the Harpers were not likely to be associated
+with them any more. Their presence at Ivy Lodge, ever since the
+acquaintance with Lady Myrtle--more especially since Jacinth herself had
+become fully informed as to the whole history--had been a perpetual
+irritation and almost a reproach to her. And the pertinacity with which
+she repeated to herself that it was not her business to take up the
+cudgels in the Harpers' behalf, of itself suggested a weak point
+somewhere--a touch of the self-excusing which tries to whiten over the
+unacknowledged self-blame.
+
+_Now_, Jacinth could afford to let herself feel sorry for Bessie and
+Margaret and their family--could even picture to herself ways in which
+some day, in some vague future, she and Frances might show kindness to
+their former school-fellows.
+
+'If I were rich,' thought Jacinth, 'they're just the sort of people I'd
+love to be good to; of course one would have to do it very carefully, so
+as not to offend them.'
+
+Frances was still looking somewhat lugubrious when the door opened and
+Miss Mildmay senior came in. It was not very often that their aunt paid
+the girls a visit in their own little sitting-room, and they both looked
+up with some curiosity.
+
+'I had a letter from Lady Myrtle this morning,' she said. 'I did not
+want to speak about it before Eugene'--for Eugene had lately been
+promoted to breakfast down-stairs--'as I was not sure what you and
+Frances would wish about it. It is an invitation for you all--Eugene
+too--to spend Christmas at Robin Redbreast. Christmas _time_, I should
+say. Lady Myrtle invites you all three for a week, and Jacinth for a
+fortnight. What do you say?'
+
+Frances said nothing, but Jacinth looked up quickly.
+
+'I think it would be unnatural for us all to go away from you for
+Christmas, Aunt Alison,' she said.
+
+Miss Mildmay smiled.
+
+'A lonely Christmas would be nothing new to me, my dear child,' she
+said; but she spoke without any bitterness.
+
+'_I'll_ stay with you, Aunt Alison,' said Frances, eagerly. 'I really
+don't care about going to Robin Redbreast, and it's Jacinth Lady Myrtle
+wants. Do let me and Eugene stay here; Eugene needn't be told about it
+at all.'
+
+'Thank you, my dear,' said their aunt. 'Thank you both. But--do not
+think me ungracious--when I spoke of a lonely Christmas, I only meant
+that I have not been used to a family party. I am always very happy and
+very busy on Christmas--and I think I should be missed if I were not
+here. I should have told you that Lady Myrtle very kindly invites me
+too--for Christmas Day--but that would not suit me at all. I _must_ be
+here in the evening, and indeed I am wanted all day; but I was trying to
+arrange to do less, so as to be with you three in the afternoon at
+least.'
+
+'Then--to put it plainly--it would be rather a relief to you for us all
+to be away?' asked Jacinth.
+
+'Well, yes--in a sense it would. That is to say, if I knew you were
+happy and well looked after,' said Miss Mildmay, smiling again.
+
+'There, Francie,' said Jacinth, 'you see it is much the best thing that
+could have happened. And of course you and Eugene must come. I suppose
+we shall take Phebe, Aunt Alison?'
+
+'Certainly, my dear.'
+
+The mention of Phebe seemed to cheer Frances. 'I shouldn't mind so much,
+if Eugene and I could go walks,' she said. 'But you know, Aunt Alison,
+Jass _must_ be a great deal with Lady Myrtle, and I shouldn't know what
+to do all day, and Eugene wouldn't either.'
+
+'It'll be all right, you'll see,' said Jacinth, who, now that she was
+satisfied as to her aunt, felt in high spirits. 'You can go about just
+as you like with Phebe, and it's only for a week. I don't think I should
+stay more than a week, Aunt Alison?'
+
+'I cannot say,' her aunt replied. 'I almost think you should, if Lady
+Myrtle wishes it. That week--the week after Christmas week--I think I
+could help to amuse Frances and Eugene. We shall be having our
+children's feasts, and they could be very useful.'
+
+'I _should_ like that!' said Frances eagerly.
+
+So all seemed satisfactory, and Miss Mildmay left them, to write her
+answer to Lady Myrtle. Human nature is very inconsistent. The maiden
+lady of a certain age could not repress a sigh as she sat down at her
+desk: she had not realised till now that all was changed; how she had
+been looking forward to something like an orthodox Christmas for once,
+in her prim old house--how she had been planning about the plum-puddings
+and cakes, even while groaning a little over the reversal of her usual
+habits!
+
+'But it is much better as it is,' she decided. 'They will be quite
+happy, and poor old Lady Myrtle will be less lonely than for many years.
+She may be a good friend to Eugenia and the children in the future. And
+as for me, I don't know how they would have managed without me at St
+Blaise's, after all.'
+
+And the young Mildmays--Frances included--_were_ very happy at Robin
+Redbreast.
+
+Things settled themselves very much as Jacinth had foreseen. Under
+Phebe's care the two younger ones were left free to run about as they
+chose during such parts of the day as Jacinth found that their hostess
+liked to have her with herself. And the children were much more
+accustomed to this sort of life than if they had ever known thorough
+home care. For even at Stannesley Mrs Denison's age and fragile health
+had often made it impossible for them to be with her as much as she
+would have liked: they had early learned to be 'very good at amusing
+themselves.'
+
+On Christmas Day the large landau, quite roomy enough for half a dozen
+instead of four, took them all to Elvedon church, where they sat with
+Lady Myrtle in the square, be-curtained pew--one of those appropriated
+to the Court, which was kept for the lady from Robin Redbreast.
+
+'It felt very like Stannesley,' was the verdict of the two younger ones,
+who had not been at Elvedon before, which seemed to please Lady Myrtle.
+
+'Yes,' she said. 'I think you will feel more at home than if you spent
+the day at Thetford.'
+
+And the prettily decorated rooms, and the old folk who came in for
+dinner in the servants' hall, and the roast turkey and flaming
+plum-pudding and snapdragon afterwards--yes, though they were only such
+a very small party, just they three and the old lady instead of their
+own granny, and no Uncle Marmy to make his jokes--still it _was_ much
+more homelike than No. 9 Market Square Place could possibly have been.
+And when Frances went to bed that night, glancing with pleasure at the
+pretty presents so thoughtfully provided for her--a dear little gold
+pencil-case in a bracelet from Lady Myrtle, a pair of gloves from Aunt
+Alison, and a handkerchief with a red embroidered border from Jacinth
+and Eugene--the child felt that she had indeed a great many 'good
+things' to be thankful for.
+
+'If only'----she thought. 'Oh, how I would like to think that Bessie and
+Margaret are happy too! I am so afraid that they are very, very sad
+about their father.'
+
+Christmas Day was a Thursday. It was always considered a lucky
+coincidence by the young Mildmays when letters from their far-off
+parents reached them on the very day of any anniversary. But this year
+the Christmas budget only arrived the morning before Frances and Eugene
+were returning to Thetford. Miss Mildmay sent it on by a special
+messenger, knowing how anxious her nieces would be to get their letters.
+And a mysterious allusion in the little note from her which accompanied
+them made Jacinth start and call out to Frances.
+
+'Look at what Aunt Alison says, before you read your letter, Francie.
+What can she mean?'
+
+This was what Jacinth pointed to: 'I have heard from your father and
+mother also,' wrote Miss Mildmay. 'The great piece of news will surprise
+you as much as it has surprised me. I shall be glad to have you back
+again to talk it all over.' The sisters stared at each other, their lips
+parted and their breath coming quickly.
+
+Then said Jacinth at last: 'It can't be anything _wrong_, Francie. Aunt
+Alison never would have written of it like that, if it had been.'
+
+'No,' said Frances, though her voice was rather tremulous; 'of course it
+can't be.'
+
+'And,' continued Jacinth, 'how silly we are to sit here wondering about
+it, when we've only to look at our letters to know! Here goes, Francie!'
+and she tore open her own envelope; 'let's see which of us will get at
+it first.'
+
+Frances unfastened her letter more deliberately. It was a much shorter
+one than Jacinth's, and she had scarcely glanced at the first few lines
+when she sprang from her seat with a sort of shriek.
+
+'They're coming home, Jass! that's the secret. Oh Jass, Jass, listen:
+"As I may hope to see you before long, my darling, I won't attempt to
+write very much." That's it. Oh Jassie, sweet, they're coming home!'
+
+Jacinth's face had grown pink, then white again, whiter than usual, as
+she rapidly ran through her own letter.
+
+'Yes,' she said at last, 'it's--no, it's not _quite_ so good as that.
+Mamma's coming first: she'll be here in the spring; but papa's not
+coming for some months later. He's got to go somewhere for some kind of
+inspection, where mamma couldn't go with him, and after that, he's got
+six months' leave, which may or may not--I don't quite understand.
+Listen, Francie: "During this leave your father will have time to decide
+as to the future. It is possible he may have the offer of an appointment
+in England, which would obviate the necessity of our returning to India.
+But even if he has this chance, there are fors and againsts to consider:
+the appointment is not in some ways a very desirable one; it would
+oblige us to live for some, perhaps for several years in a large
+manufacturing town in the north of England, and it would be very hard
+work for your father. Still, we might--we _should_ be all together."'
+
+Frances heaved a deep sigh of intense longing.
+
+'Oh yes,' she said, 'that would be _everything_.'
+
+'No, I don't see that it would be,' said Jacinth. 'I should _hate_
+living in a place like that; and then think of the hard work for papa.
+When he does come home I want him to be quite his own master, and,
+and--to be rather grand, you know. I should not mind his having an
+appointment in London, or some county thing that wouldn't give him much
+to do, about here perhaps. But to go and slave in some horrid dirty
+place where there would be no one we could speak to; that would be a
+come-down after the position he has had in India.'
+
+'Oh Jass,' said Frances, 'don't let us spoil this beautiful news by
+thinking of anything disagreeable. Papa must know best, far better than
+we can. Do go on reading the letter. Mamma says I'm to ask you
+everything.'
+
+Jacinth's eyes returned to the sheets in her hand. Her face cleared a
+little.
+
+'There's something else,' she said. 'Oh, I should like that _far_
+better. Listen, Frances: "Your father has also the certainty of a
+good--as to position and agreeableness--appointment in London; but the
+pay would be much, much less, so he is not taking this into
+consideration. So the chances are that we may have to return to India
+after his leave is over, and be joined by you, dear Jass, a year later;
+though at worst I hope we shall be settled in England before my little
+Francie would be ready to come out. But I don't mean to think of
+anything at present but the unexpected joy of seeing you all three again
+so soon. I am writing to your aunt, to know if she can find a little
+house at Thetford where we can be together. You will just have been one
+year with her, and I do thank her for her care of you. It all seems to
+have fitted in so well. When you see Lady Myrtle Goodacre, thank her
+again from me for her kindness to you, and tell her what a pleasure it
+has been to me to think of it. Tell her, too, how much I am looking
+forward to meeting again my mother's dearest friend."'
+
+'You will tell Lady Myrtle at once,' said Frances.
+
+'Yes, of course,' said Jacinth, but she spoke half absently. Her eyes
+were still fixed on her mother's letter.
+
+'_I_ don't see why he shouldn't even "take it into consideration,"' she
+repeated to herself. 'We can't be so desperately poor as all that. _I_
+shall take it into consideration, any way, my dear mother;' and she
+smiled a little. 'Yes, Frances,' she went on, looking up, and speaking
+more decidedly; 'of course I'll tell Lady Myrtle. I think I'll go and
+tell her now. I know she is alone in the boudoir. And, Francie, you may
+tell Eugene.'
+
+'May I?' exclaimed Frances, jumping up. 'Oh, thank you, Jass. I'm not
+sure,' she went on, 'I'm not sure that Eugene can feel quite so--so
+_wild_ with happiness as I do. Oh Jass, it is almost too much. It takes
+my breath away.' She was running out of the room, when she looked back
+for a moment.
+
+'Jass,' she began with a little hesitation, 'does mamma say anything
+more about Mrs Lyle, _their_ aunt, you know? I wonder if she has seen
+her again?'
+
+'She is sure to have seen her again. They are living close together,'
+said Jacinth. 'But she doesn't say anything about her in this letter.
+Why should she?' Jacinth's tone was growing a little acrid. 'May she not
+for once be taken up with our own affairs? what can be more important
+than all she has to tell us? I do wish, Frances, you wouldn't drag these
+Harpers into everything; it is really bad taste.'
+
+Frances was not very clear as to what 'bad taste' meant, but she was
+very sorry to have vexed Jacinth.
+
+'It was only,' she said, 'only that it seems as if all the happiness
+were coming to us, and all the troubles to them. And I was so glad mamma
+was sorry for them.'
+
+'You speak as if they were our nearest relations,' said Jacinth,
+'instead of being, as they are, actual strangers.'
+
+But she was not sure if Frances heard her. She had already run off.
+
+Jacinth followed her down-stairs more slowly. They had been sitting in
+the elder girl's bedroom, which, with its cheerful outlook and pleasant
+arrangements of writing-table and bookcases and sofa, and fire burning
+brightly, was rather a favourite resort of theirs in the morning, before
+Lady Myrtle was free from her various occupations. For she was a busy
+and methodical old lady.
+
+The staircase was one of the pretty features of Robin Redbreast: though
+a spiral one, the steps were pleasantly shallow, and every here and
+there it was lighted by quaintly shaped windows.
+
+'How I love this house!' said Jacinth to herself, as she passed out
+round the gallery, already described, on into the conservatory, even at
+that mid-winter season a blaze of lovely brilliant colour. 'If--oh, if
+it were going to be our home some time or other, how beautiful it would
+be to look forward to! how delightful it would make mamma's coming back!
+I can't bear to think of papa's having that horrid appointment up in the
+north. I'd rather keep on as we are, and go out to India when I'm old
+enough.'
+
+She had loitered a moment among the flowers; the door of Lady Myrtle's
+boudoir was slightly ajar; the old lady's ears were quick; she heard
+even the slight rustle of Jacinth's skirts, and called out to her.
+
+'Is that you, dear Jacinth? Come in--I have finished my letters and
+accounts, and was just going to send for you.'
+
+And as the girl hastened in, Lady Myrtle looked up with a bright smile
+of welcome. It was pleasant to be thus greeted: a change from Aunt
+Alison's calm unimpassioned placidity.
+
+'Dear Lady Myrtle,' said Jacinth, 'I don't know how to tell you our
+news. We have got our Christmas letters from papa and mamma; Aunt Alison
+sent out a messenger on purpose with them. And Francie and I have just
+read them. And--what do you think?'
+
+She sat down on a stool at Lady Myrtle's feet and looked up in her face.
+The old lady laid her hand fondly on the girl's soft hair.
+
+'Nothing wrong, dear; I can see by your face. What can it be? Not--it
+can't be that they are coming home?'
+
+Jacinth's eyes sparkled.
+
+'Yes, indeed,' she said; 'that's just what it is. At least it's not
+quite that they're coming home for good; I wish it were. But if you
+like, if it won't bother you, I'll read you mamma's letter.'
+
+'Yes, do, dear,' said the old lady.
+
+And Jacinth did so, congratulating herself on what had disappointed
+Frances, that there was no mention at all in this letter of the Harper
+family or Mrs Lyle.
+
+Lady Myrtle listened with evidently extreme interest. When Jacinth had
+finished, there was a moment or two's silence. Then Lady Myrtle said
+quietly but decidedly: 'She must come straight here--your mother, I
+mean. I shall write to her myself. Don't you think that will be best? It
+will be the greatest satisfaction to me to see her--little Eugenia--how
+proud your dear grandmother was of her! A fair-haired, brown-eyed little
+creature. Not so like my Jacinth as you are, child. But that, one could
+not expect. It is not often that one sees such a likeness as yours to
+your grandmother. But I am so thankful to know I may hope to see your
+mother. Sometimes I have feared'----But here Lady Myrtle broke off
+without finishing her sentence. 'Jacinth, I want you to talk about it.
+What can I say to ensure her coming to me? I want to make her feel that
+it will be really like coming home?'
+
+'Say _that_ to her, dear Lady Myrtle,' Jacinth replied. 'Nothing could
+touch her more. And I am sure she will love to come here, at any rate
+for a while, at first. You see she speaks of living at Thetford till
+papa comes--of having a little house there and us with her. There would
+not be room in Aunt Alison's house, and besides, I think mamma would
+like to feel more independent with us three.'
+
+[Illustration: Jacinth sat down on a stool at Lady Myrtle's feet and
+looked up in her face.]
+
+'Of course. I would not at all advise her living in Market Square Place,
+even if there were room,' said Lady Myrtle. 'In a small house, and with
+your aunt being accustomed to be the authority--no, it would not do. But
+there would be no such difficulties here. Your mother must come to me
+first, and you three must be here, too, to meet her. And then, later on,
+if she thinks it better to take a little house--well, I shall not oppose
+her. I am not an unreasonable old woman, am I, my child?'
+
+'No, indeed,' said Jacinth warmly. 'And'--with a little smile--'I know
+mamma is very _sensible_. I can tell it by her letters, and even by what
+I remember of her. She is eager and hearty--sometimes Francie reminds me
+of her--but she is never fanciful or obstinate. It sounds impertinent of
+me talking like that of her, but I think you will understand. And I am
+sure you and mamma will suit each other.'
+
+'I am sure we shall, dear, though, in a sense, _you_ will always seem
+the _most_ of your grandmother to me, Jacinth. You see my most vivid
+memory of her is about your age; it is really as if she had come back to
+me, sometimes.'
+
+'I do so love you to say that,' said Jacinth.
+
+'But I want to speak of all your mother writes,' the old lady went on.
+'I--there can be no harm in my talking to you quite frankly, for I see
+your mother confides in you, and she is quite right to do so. Jacinth--I
+don't like the idea of that post, whatever it is, at Barmettle.'
+
+Jacinth drew a deep breath of relief.
+
+'Oh, I am so glad you think so,' she said. 'I scarcely liked to say
+it--it seems selfish--if it would save papa's going out again, and he
+has had so much of India; but it _would_ be rather horrid, wouldn't it?
+And almost a come-down, it seems to me. The other appointment in London
+would be so much nicer, only living at all _nicely_ in London is so
+dear, and the pay is smaller. Perhaps it will end after all in papa and
+mamma going back to India, and my joining them in two or three years.'
+
+Lady Myrtle put out her hand, and clasped Jacinth's firmly in hers.
+
+'No, my child,' she said. 'That must not be. I think when one gets as
+old as I am, one may be a little selfish; that is to say, if one's
+selfishness does no one any harm. And your parents have had enough of
+India; there can be no necessity for their return there, nor for your
+joining them. No, I could not consent to lose you again--the one thing
+that has been sent to cheer me! Put all such possibilities out of your
+mind, my Jacinth. I will write to your mother.'
+
+'And what shall I say to her?' asked Jacinth. 'About all you have said,
+I mean.'
+
+'Refer her to me. But tell her how you are all--_we_ are all--counting
+on her coming first to Robin Redbreast, and that then we shall be able
+to talk over everything. Tell her I cannot consent to giving you up;
+tell her, as I hope you can, that this place is beginning to feel like
+home to you.'
+
+'You know I feel it so, dear Lady Myrtle,' said Jacinth simply. 'I think
+I have been happier here already than I have ever been anywhere else.
+And I am so glad this news has come while we were here. It makes it
+doubly delightful. And we shall remember that it came to us here--this
+Christmas week.'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+'"CAMILLA" AND "MARGARET," YES.'
+
+
+There was a great writing of letters during the next day or two at Robin
+Redbreast. And both Lady Myrtle and the children found it difficult to
+give their attention to anything but the absorbing subject of Mrs
+Mildmay's return.
+
+And in response to a pressing invitation from the old lady, Miss Mildmay
+actually managed to spare or make time to come out to Robin Redbreast to
+'spend the day'--that is to say, three or four hours of it, so that she
+and Lady Myrtle might have a talk about the plans under discussion.
+
+The day chosen was the one in which Frances and Eugene were to return to
+Market Square Place. The big carriage was to take them and their aunt
+and Phebe home in the afternoon, leaving Jacinth for another week at
+Robin Redbreast.
+
+Never had her nieces found Miss Mildmay so pleasant and almost genial.
+She was greatly delighted at the news of her sister-in-law's
+return--delighted and relieved. For it had begun to strike her rather
+uncomfortably that what she had undertaken was all but an impossibility.
+She was very conscientious, as I have said, and no self-deceiver. She
+saw that the girls, as they grew older, were becoming not less but more
+in need of sympathy and guidance in their out-of-school life--sympathy
+and guidance which at best she felt very doubtful of being able to give
+them, _even_ if she sacrificed all the other duties and occupations
+which had for so many years made her life, for their sakes. And the
+sacrifice would have been a very tremendous one.
+
+The doubts and perplexities were increasing daily in her mind when there
+came this most welcome and little expected news, followed by the almost
+as welcome tidings of Lady Myrtle's eager offer of hospitality to the
+children's mother.
+
+'It is very good, very, very kind and good of her,' said Miss Mildmay to
+herself. 'The children's making friends with her really seems to have
+brought good-luck. And she may be of lasting and substantial help to
+Frank and Eugenia. Not exactly because she is rich--Frank is far too
+proud to take anybody's money--but she may have interest that would be
+of use to him. And there would be nothing unnatural in her leaving
+something to Eugenia or to Jacinth. I don't suppose she means to leave
+everything to the Elvedons, for a good deal would have been her own
+share in any case, and a good deal her husband must have left her. By
+the bye, I have always forgotten to ask Miss Scarlett if the Harper
+girls she has, or had--some one said they had left--were any relation to
+the Elvedon family. Nice girls, evidently, but very badly off, I fancy.'
+
+And then she forgot about the Harpers again.
+
+But with her grateful feelings to Lady Myrtle, Miss Mildmay naturally
+felt that the least she could do was to clear a day for herself by
+working extra hard, so as to be able to spend part of it at Robin
+Redbreast, as the old lady much wished her to do.
+
+And she was in her happiest and most cheerful mood, and all would have
+gone just as Jacinth wished, but for one unfortunate allusion, which
+came in the first place, strange to say, from considerate, cautious Miss
+Alison Mildmay herself.
+
+Lady Myrtle and her new guest had a long talk by themselves in the first
+place. Then Jacinth, anxiously waiting, heard the boudoir-bell ring, and
+a message was brought to herself asking her to join them.
+
+'Come in, my dear child,' said her old friend; 'your aunt and I have
+been enjoying a good talk. It is so pleasant when such things end in
+people quite agreeing with each other, is it not?' she added, turning to
+Miss Mildmay with a smile.
+
+Jacinth's anxious face cleared.
+
+'Then you do think Lady Myrtle's plan best, Aunt Alison?' she said.
+
+'I think it a delightful one, for all concerned,' said Miss Mildmay. 'I
+have been explaining to Lady Myrtle all my--my conflicting feelings. For
+much as I should like to have your mother with me, I know it would not
+be as comfortable as I should wish, nor should I be able to see very
+much of her, unless'----
+
+'Forgive my interrupting you, my dear Miss Mildmay,' interposed Lady
+Myrtle; 'but I wish you would not worry yourself about all these
+questions, now that they are settled and done with. Eugenia shall come
+straight to Robin Redbreast for as long as I can get her to stay, and
+that will be as long as she wishes. The children, as well as Jacinth,
+_my_ child'--and she glanced up affectionately at the young girl
+standing beside her--'shall be here to receive her, and you too, Miss
+Mildmay, if you will so far honour me. It will be about Easter
+probably; there are holidays then, I believe, which will be all the
+better. And there need never be any difficulty about sending you all
+three to school and fetching you, even when it is not holiday time. Then
+if Eugenia prefers to take a little house temporarily at Thetford, I
+shall leave her free to do so, though I may have my private _hopes_ on
+this matter.'
+
+Lady Myrtle's eyes were quite sparkling, and there was a bright colour
+in her cheeks. It was very pleasant to see her so eager and happy.
+Jacinth, in spite of her aunt's repressing presence, could not help
+stooping down and gently kissing the soft old face.
+
+'And to look further forward still,' Lady Myrtle continued, holding
+Jacinth's hand which she had possessed herself of, 'your aunt and I are
+of accord on another point, my child. Your father must not return to
+India; he has had enough of it. And your mother too.'
+
+'Then you think he should accept'----began Jacinth.
+
+'We will not go into particulars,' she replied, patting Jacinth's hand.
+'To begin with, Colonel Mildmay has not consulted me. He must first get
+to know me. But--no, of course that dreadful Barmettle is out of the
+question. You might almost as well be all in India, as far as I am
+concerned, for all I should see of you. But all that is some way off
+still. The first thing to do is to get your mother's promise to come
+straight here.'
+
+'I am sure she will,' said Jacinth. 'I don't feel any anxiety about
+that.'
+
+'Nor do I,' said her aunt.
+
+Just then the luncheon gong sounded, and they all went down-stairs in
+the best of spirits. In the dining-room they were joined by Frances and
+Eugene, who thanks to the genial influences of the morning's news, ran
+up to Miss Mildmay, and kissed her much more effusively than was usual
+with them.
+
+'How well you are both looking!' she said, and Lady Myrtle glanced
+round, pleased at the remark. 'I don't think his mother will recognise
+Eugene,' Miss Mildmay went on. 'Well, no, she could scarcely do that in
+any case. But I mean to say I think she will find it difficult to
+believe we are not cheating her altogether when she sees this great,
+strong, rosy fellow. He was such a poor little specimen!'
+
+'He must have been brought home in time, however,' said Lady Myrtle.
+'Ah, yes, our Indian possessions cost us dear in some ways. Though it is
+nothing to the old days; my people were soldiers for generations you
+know, so we had full experience of these difficulties. I and my brothers
+were born in India; my father was only captain in his regiment when he
+came into the Elvedon title and property unexpectedly. He would have
+lived to be very distinguished, I feel sure, if he had not left the
+army;' and she sighed a little.
+
+'But you have distinguished relatives in the army still,' said Miss
+Mildmay. 'The Captain Harper who was wounded at----after his most
+gallant conduct. He is a relation, is he not? I heard about him from
+Miss Scarlett: you know his daughters were at Ivy Lodge, and'----
+
+'Indeed!' said Lady Myrtle, and a very strange expression came into her
+voice--not annoyance, not even constraint--more like a sort of repressed
+anxiety and painful apprehensiveness. 'Indeed! No, I do not
+remember--what were you going to say?'
+
+For Miss Mildmay had stopped abruptly. She was seated opposite Jacinth,
+and as she got to her last words, some consciousness made her glance
+across the table at her elder niece. In an instant she saw her mistake,
+and recalled her own vague warnings to the girls to avoid allusions to
+Lady Myrtle's family history. But she was far from cowardly, and
+essentially candid. And in her mind there had been no mingling of any
+selfish motive; nothing but the desire to prevent any possible annoyance
+to their kind old friend had prompted her few words of advice to the
+girls. And now the strange look--a look almost of restrained anger--on
+Jacinth's face positively startled her.
+
+'I may have been mistaken in my impression that the family in question
+was in any way related to you,' she said quietly. 'One should be more
+cautious in such matters.'
+
+'Yes,' said Lady Myrtle, nervously, 'I think you must have been
+mistaken. I do not know anything of such people, and Harper is not a
+very uncommon name. By the way, that reminds me--was it you, my dear?'
+and she turned somewhat abruptly to Frances--'was it not you who once
+mentioned some school-fellows of the name, and afterwards something was
+said which removed the impression that they could possibly be Elvedon
+Harpers? I am confused about it.'
+
+All this time Frances's eyes had been fixed on her plate; she had
+scarcely dared to breathe since her aunt's allusion. Now she looked up,
+bravely, though her cheeks were flaming and her heart beating as if to
+choke her. An inner voice seemed to tell her that the moment had come
+for _something_ to be said--the something which even Camilla Harper in
+her letter had not debarred her from, which her own mother had hoped
+some opportunity might arise for.
+
+And in spite of Jacinth's stony face, and her aunt's evident wish to
+change the subject which she herself had brought on to the _tapis_,
+Frances spoke out.
+
+'Yes, Lady Myrtle,' she said clearly. 'It was I that spoke about Bessie
+and Margaret Harper. They were at school with us then, and before that,
+their big sister Camilla was there. But they've left now, I'm afraid,'
+and her voice trembled a little. 'I think it's because their father's
+very ill, and it costs a lot, and they're not at all rich. They're the
+very nicest girls in the world; oh, they _are_ so good and nice.--You
+said so too, Jacinth?'
+
+Lady Myrtle's eyes turned to Jacinth.
+
+'Yes,' the elder girl replied coldly; 'I believe they are very nice
+girls. But I did not know them nearly as well as you, Frances. I do not
+care for making friends as you do.'
+
+'No,' said Frances, rather lamely. 'I know you don't; but still I'd like
+you to tell Lady Myrtle how nice they are.'
+
+'Why should it interest Lady Myrtle to hear about your school-fellows,
+my dear?' said Miss Mildmay, surprised and a little annoyed by Frances's
+rather pertinacious manner. 'These girls are very nice, I have no doubt;
+indeed I recollect Miss Scarlett speaking very highly of them; but no
+one doubts it. I think all your school-fellows must be nice girls--not
+only the Harpers. And the name may be a mere coincidence. I have never
+heard certainly that they were of the Elvedon family.'
+
+Lady Myrtle had not seemed to be attending to what Miss Mildmay said.
+She was speaking to herself.
+
+'"Camilla,"' she murmured softly, '"Camilla" and "Margaret." Not
+"Bessie;" no I never heard of a Bessie, and "Margaret" is not uncommon.
+But "Camilla"--yes, I suppose it must be.'
+
+But just as she said this, Miss Mildmay's last words--the good lady had
+rather an emphatic way of speaking--rang out clearly: 'I have never
+heard certainly that they were of the Elvedon family.'
+
+'That's just it,' said Frances, and by this time Lady Myrtle's attention
+was fully caught. 'Of course I don't mean to contradict you, Aunt
+Alison, but I _do_ know they're the same family, and so they are
+relations of Lady Myrtle's. And it's not only that I like them. I'm so
+very sorry for them, so _very_ sorry. They are all so good, and they
+have so very, very many troubles,' and here the irrepressible tears rose
+to poor Frances's eyes, and she turned her head away abruptly.
+
+Lady Myrtle glanced at her and then at Jacinth. Jacinth's face was quiet
+and very grave.
+
+'You are a very loyal friend, I see, Frances,' said the old lady; and
+rather to every one's surprise the words were accompanied by a little
+smile, and then she turned to Jacinth.
+
+'I don't think you have ever named these--these Harpers--to me, have
+you, my dear?' she asked.
+
+Jacinth looked up at once.
+
+'No,' she said; 'I have not, and I have refrained from doing so on
+purpose. I--I did not think it concerned me, and you might not have
+liked it. I--I should be so sorry to vex you.'
+
+The appeal in her eyes touched Lady Myrtle more than Frances's tears.
+And in what she said, so far as it went, Jacinth was sincere. She did
+shrink from any possible allusion that could annoy or upset her kind
+friend; and the selfish motives underlying the prejudice, almost
+amounting to positive dislike, which she had allowed to take root in her
+feelings to the Harpers, she blinded herself to, or called by some other
+name.
+
+Lady Myrtle was silent, but there was no resentment in her face. She
+only looked sad--very, very sad.
+
+'You know these girls very much less well than Frances did,' said Miss
+Mildmay, whose sympathies were just now all with Jacinth. 'You see,' she
+went on, turning to her hostess, 'Frances has been in the habit of
+spending holiday afternoons at school--sometimes when you had kindly
+invited Jacinth here, on a Saturday, for instance.'
+
+Lady Myrtle started a little. Her thoughts had been far away. She leaned
+forward and took hold of Jacinth's hand--Jacinth was sitting next to
+her, and the servants had left the room--and patted it affectionately.
+
+'Of course. I know Jacinth is very, very thoughtful for me,' she said.
+'And I see that you understand it, my dear Miss Mildmay. Not that I am
+vexed with little Frances. I like children to be children, and of all
+things I like a loyal friend.'
+
+Then she at once and with evident intention, which the others were quick
+to read, changed the subject of conversation. On the whole, vexed though
+she was with Frances's persistence--'self-willed obstinacy' as she
+called it to herself--Jacinth felt that the dreaded crisis had passed
+off better than might have been expected, and in some things it was a
+relief. Things were on a clearer basis now.
+
+'It was bound to come, I suppose,' she said to herself. 'Mamma seems
+almost as impulsive and quixotic as Frances--quite bewitched by these
+people. But at worst there's nothing more to tell now, and Lady Myrtle
+appreciates my feelings if no one else does.'
+
+Frances, on her side, though her heart was still beating tumultuously,
+felt glad that she had had the courage and opportunity to say what she
+had. But for her dread of a private reprimand from Jacinth afterwards,
+the little girl would on the whole have had a somewhat lightened heart
+about her friends. For, as she said to herself, 'Lady Myrtle had
+certainly not seemed angry.'
+
+Strange to say, the anticipated reproof from Jacinth never came. It was
+true there was not much time for any private talk between the sisters,
+for Frances and Eugene went back to Market Square Place that same
+afternoon with their aunt. But even when, a week later, Jacinth herself
+rejoined them there a day or two before the reopening of Ivy Lodge
+school, there was no mention of the Harpers, and no allusion to what had
+passed at luncheon the day of Miss Mildmay's visit to Robin Redbreast.
+
+'Can it be that Lady Myrtle is really going to be kind to them, and that
+she told Jacinth not to be vexed with me?' thought sanguine little
+Frances. She would have felt less hopeful had she known that not one
+word had passed between her sister and the old lady on the subject of
+her unknown relations. And Jacinth had simply made up her mind to think
+no more about them; her conscience now being, or so at least she told
+herself, completely at rest--the matter entirely out of her hands.
+
+It was the easier to carry out this resolution that Bessie and
+Margaret's places were vacant, though no one seemed very clearly to
+understand why they had not returned, and the Misses Scarlett expressed
+the heartiest regret that they had not done so. Honor Falmouth too had
+left, but this had been known by anticipation to her companions for
+some time. And in the little world of a school, as in the bigger world
+outside, it is not for long that the circles in the waters of daily life
+mark the spot of any disappearance; it has to be so, and does not
+necessarily imply either heartlessness or caprice. We are limited as to
+our powers in all directions--the more marvellous that somewhere,
+invisible, unsuspected, our innermost self lives on. And far down, below
+the surface restlessness and change, may we not hope that we shall find
+again the fibres of loving friendships and pure affections whose roots
+were deep and true, though at times it may seem that like other precious
+and beautiful things they were but as a dream?
+
+Frances missed her friends sadly, the more so that not knowing their
+exact address, and half afraid also to do such a thing on her own
+responsibility, she could not write to them. But nothing depressed
+Frances now for very long or very deeply. She had found a panacea. All
+would be right soon, 'when mamma comes home.'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+MAMMA.
+
+
+At Thetford the weeks till Easter--it came in the middle of April that
+year--passed quickly. It is true that every morning, when Frances scored
+out one of the long row of little lines she had made to represent the
+days till that of her mother's arrival, she could not repress a sigh at
+the number yet remaining. But still the time, even for her, passed
+quickly. For she was busy--working more steadily at her lessons than
+ever before, in the hope of having satisfactory progress to show--and
+full of the happiest anticipations. Morning and night the faithful,
+simple-hearted girl added to her other petitions the special one that
+things might be so over-ruled as to prevent the necessity of further
+separation.
+
+'It can't be wrong to ask it,' she said to herself, 'for God made
+fathers and mothers and children to be together. It's something wrong
+somewhere when they can't be. And I've got a feeling that it _is_ going
+to be like that for us now. I don't care a bit where we live--that place
+in the north or anywhere--if only we're with them.'
+
+Jacinth, too, on the whole was happy in her own way. Personally,
+perhaps, she longed less for her mother's presence and sympathy than
+Frances did, for she was by nature more self-sufficing. And when one
+scarcely knows till one is fifteen or sixteen what it is to have a
+mother and a real home of one's own, small wonder if the inestimable
+blessings of such possessions are barely realised. Then, too, Jacinth's
+frequent visits to Lady Myrtle, and the old lady's ever-increasing
+affection for and interest in her had almost filled up the voids the
+girl had at first felt bitterly enough in her new life. She would in
+many ways have been quite content for things to go on as they were for a
+year or two. And if she built castles in the air, it must be allowed
+that Lady Myrtle was to a great extent responsible for their
+construction.
+
+'I can scarcely fancy feeling as if mamma were more of a mother to me
+than you seem now,' she said one day to her old friend.
+
+'Nay,' Lady Myrtle replied, 'I must represent a grandmother. You really
+do not know what a mother feels like, dear child.'
+
+'Well,' Jacinth went on, 'perhaps that's it. But somehow I think mamma
+will seem more a sort of elder sister to me. And I hope she will take it
+that way. We shall get on better if she does. I--I'm afraid I shouldn't
+be very good about giving in. You see I've never had to do it much.'
+
+She smiled a little as she made the confession.
+
+'I can scarcely imagine you anything but docile, my dear,' said Lady
+Myrtle; 'but then, of course, I know I have not seen you really tested.
+I fancy, however, there will be a mingling of the elder-sisterly feeling
+in your relations to your mother, and I hope there will be. I think she
+has a high opinion of your good sense and judgment, and I don't expect
+that she will have any cause to change her opinion.'
+
+Jacinth sat silent for a moment or two. She seemed to be thinking
+deeply; her eyes were fixed on the fire, where the wooden logs were
+throwing out brilliant gleams of varying colours, reflected on the
+bright brasses of the grate and fender.
+
+'How pretty everything here always is!' she said at last. 'Even to the
+burning wood. Look, Lady Myrtle, it is blue and purple and even green.'
+
+'They are old ship logs,' her friend replied. 'It is the brine in them
+that makes the colours.'
+
+'Oh dear,' said Jacinth again with a little sigh, 'how I should love a
+pretty home. Lady Myrtle, I am afraid you will be shocked at me, but do
+you know I sometimes almost feel I would rather papa and mamma went back
+to India next year than that we should have to go to live at that
+horrible dingy Barmettle.'
+
+Lady Myrtle was not _shocked_. Still, she was too unselfish by nature
+herself not to be quick to check any symptoms of an opposite character
+in one she really cared for, glad though she was to have Jacinth's full
+confidence.
+
+'I think you would bear such a trial as that, readily and cheerfully, if
+it were for your father and mother's good,' she said. 'And after all,
+where we live is not of the importance that I daresay it seems to you.
+Some of the truly happiest people I have ever known have been so in
+spite of the most uncongenial surroundings you can imagine.'
+
+'I'm not as good as that,' said Jacinth in a melancholy voice. 'I can't
+bear ugly, messy places; above all, messy, untidy places make me
+perfectly cross and miserable.'
+
+Lady Myrtle could not help laughing a little at her tragic tone.
+
+'I don't see that, even if you had to live at Barmettle, your home need
+be ugly and untidy,' she said.
+
+'I don't know. I've been thinking a good deal about it,' Jacinth
+replied. 'You see, mamma will have been so long in India that she will
+have got out of English ways. She must be accustomed to lots of servants
+and to have everything done for her. I'm afraid it will be very
+difficult and uncomfortable.'
+
+'But she would have you and Frances to help her,' said Lady Myrtle. 'At
+least--no, dear Jacinth, you really must not anticipate troubles that
+may never, that I trust _will_ never come.'
+
+Then she hesitated and stopped short, and seemed to be thinking deeply.
+
+'My dearest child,' she said at last, 'you are very young, and I have a
+great dread of forgetting how young you are. I have too, as you know, a
+very great respect for parental authority. I would never take upon
+myself to interfere in any real way with your life, unless I had your
+father and mother's approval. But this I may say, so far as I can
+possibly influence them and the whole circumstances, you may rely upon
+it that this nightmare of Barmettle shall never be anything but a
+nightmare. Though at the same time I am most strongly of opinion that
+your father must _not_ return to India.'
+
+'Oh, thank you, dear Lady Myrtle, thank you a thousand times for what
+you say,' said Jacinth.
+
+'It is your father's health I am thinking of too,' said the old lady.
+'Your aunt feels sure that it is time for him to come home for good. He
+has been out there so long, and he is not a young man. He is a good deal
+older than your mother.'
+
+'Yes,' Jacinth replied. 'He is fifteen years older; and mamma has always
+been wonderfully strong. But even for her it would be much nicer to
+come home now. Seventeen years is a long time, and only one year and one
+six-months at home! Oh, I do feel so much happier since you have spoken
+so to me--even though it makes me rather frightened about papa. It would
+be terrible for his health to fail.'
+
+'We must make him take it in time,' said Lady Myrtle cheerfully. 'I
+don't think there is any cause for immediate anxiety. Yes--nothing is
+sadder than when the head of a house breaks down prematurely.'
+
+Her words, following upon her own, struck Jacinth curiously. What was it
+they made her think of? What family had she been hearing of whose father
+was in bad health? Ah--yes, it was these Harpers! How tiresome it was
+that they seemed always to be 'turning up,' as Jacinth expressed it to
+herself! There were scores and scores of other families in as bad
+trouble as they; the world was full of such cases.
+
+'If Frances had been here,' thought Jacinth, 'she would have been
+certain to begin about them and their father--only annoying Lady Myrtle
+and doing no good. Not but that I'm very sorry for them. I hope their
+father is better, I'm sure.'
+
+Alas! these two or three months had not passed so quickly or so brightly
+in the--no, I must not say in the Harpers' pleasant though plain old
+house at Southcliff, for Hedge End was let, and the three girls were
+living in Mrs Newing's tiny rooms in Harbour Street--the rooms where
+Camilla had declared they would be so cosy and comfortable, enjoying a
+rest from all housekeeping cares.
+
+And as far as the material details of their life was concerned they
+would have been more than content, though it was a new experience to
+them to be even temporarily without a home; and now and then Camilla
+and Bessie grew a little anxious about Margaret, and wondered if they
+were taking as good care of her as mother would have done. For the
+little girl looked very pale and delicate sometimes, and her appetite
+was fitful.
+
+'I wonder if it is Mrs Newing's cooking,' said Camilla to her
+confidante, Bessie. 'At home we could always get some nice little thing;
+mother is so clever in that way, with father having been so long ill.
+But here it would be impossible to try to cook anything ourselves.'
+
+'And whatever we do, we mustn't worry mother about Margaret,' said
+Bessie. 'Mother needs all the cheering possible to keep up her spirits,
+with dear father being so suffering still. Oh, Camilla, I _wonder_ if we
+shall soon have better news?'
+
+Things had not improved, even to the limited extent which was all that
+Captain Harper had counted upon, as rapidly as the former time that he
+had been an inmate of the private hospital for three months. He was
+weaker than then, and perhaps his intense anxiety to benefit by the
+effort that had in every sense cost them all so dear, was against him.
+
+The doctors, so wrote Mrs Harper to her elder girls, now spoke of three
+months more, not as desirable but as a necessity. And how it was to be
+managed she could not see. Furthermore, to give a chance of anything
+approaching cure, or rather lasting improvement, the regulation visit to
+the German baths _must_, they now declared, be followed up by a winter
+in a mild, dry climate.
+
+'Of this,' said the mother, 'we are not even _thinking_. The three more
+months here are all we can contemplate, and I dare not tell your father
+how impossible even that seems. It is out of the question, as he is, to
+move him to an ordinary hospital where I could not be with him. I
+believe if we did so he would give up the struggle and quietly resign
+himself to leaving us.'
+
+'Camilla, he _must_ stay,' said Bessie. 'There is one thing, these
+people do want to keep on the house longer?'
+
+'For two months--not three,' said Camilla, 'and we have not yet given
+them a decided answer.'
+
+'Then let us take it upon ourselves _to_ decide,' said Bessie. 'And we
+will write and tell mother that is settled. And what else _can_ we do,
+Camilla? Father _must_ stay as long as the doctors think necessary. It
+is the middle of March now; he has been there two months. I suppose he
+should stay till the middle or end of July.'
+
+'And then go abroad,' said Camilla.
+
+'Ah well, we scarcely can hope for that. But I think, Camilla, you
+should write to Aunt Flora: father will never do it, and mother would
+not without his leave. But _we_ can. Ask her to lend us some money,
+whatever is strictly necessary, and tell her that _somehow_ we will
+repay her. She is very generous, and she would never forgive us if we
+let father lose the last chance, for want of anything she could do.'
+
+'But she has so little ready money,' said Camilla. 'I don't know if they
+are bad managers, for they have a good income, but it all seems to go.'
+
+'Father says they cannot help it. Uncle Lyle has so much to keep up out
+there--entertaining and all sorts of things,' said Bessie. 'But I am
+sure they would manage to lend us--how much?--fifty or a hundred pounds?
+And Camilla, we _will_ repay it. Can we not save a little on our living?
+I suppose we couldn't do with a room less; it would not be wholesome
+for Margaret. And for her sake too we must not attempt still plainer
+food.'
+
+'No,' said Camilla, 'I fear that is impossible. You see Margaret is so
+quick. She would notice in a moment if you and I eat less or at all
+differently from her. But--yes, perhaps the time has come when we must
+apply definitely to Aunt Flora. I will write by the next mail.'
+
+'And Camilla, if we tide over this present trouble,' said Bessie, 'I
+think you or I must do something--something to earn money by. I am too
+young to be a governess yet, but I know--she almost said it to me--that
+Miss Scarlett would take me even now as a sort of pupil-teacher, and two
+years hence I think I might be a governess--to young children.'
+
+'It may have to be,' the elder sister agreed. 'But the question is
+_which_ of us should go. I could be a governess already, but then that
+stops your and Margaret's education. And, Bessie, it would be rather
+additionally trying to father and mother--father especially--for you to
+be in that kind of position at _Thetford_, the very part of the country
+our family comes from. And so near to Robin Redbreast too.'
+
+Bessie reared her head. '_I_ don't mind that,' she said. 'I should
+rather like it the better.'
+
+'But _father_?' said Camilla gently. And brave Bessie was silent.
+
+The letter to Mrs Lyle was written and sent. It reached her in her new
+Indian quarters about ten days before Mrs Mildmay started on her return
+home.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It was May; the charming capricious month we dream of all the year
+round, always believing--thanks to poets and childish remembrances
+rose-coloured by the lapse of time--that if the weather is cold and
+gray and generally disappointing this year, it is quite an exception and
+never has been so before: it was May before the day came on which Lady
+Myrtle Goodacre's landau set off in state for Thetford railway station,
+with Jacinth, Frances, and Eugene already occupying it, and a vacant
+seat for Miss Alison Mildmay whom they were to call for on the way.
+
+Frances and even Eugene were almost speechless with excitement: Jacinth,
+though wound up to a tremendous pitch, was too proud and too
+self-contained by habit to show what she was feeling.
+
+'Lady Myrtle _hopes_ you will come back with us, Aunt Alison,' she said
+quietly, 'at least to spend the rest of the day, as you wouldn't consent
+to come to stay for two or three.'
+
+Miss Mildmay, before replying, glanced at her niece with a curious sort
+of admiration, not altogether free from disappointment.
+
+'Jacinth certainly is extraordinarily self-controlled,' she thought.
+Very self-controlled, like very reserved people do not always entirely
+appreciate their own characteristics in another! But aloud she replied
+much in the same matter-of-fact tone.
+
+'It is very good of her, but I would rather find my own way home from
+the station. I will come out to Robin Redbreast to-morrow or the day
+after to have a talk with your mother. She will have more than enough to
+occupy her to-day.'
+
+Jacinth secretly commended her aunt's good sense, but the younger ones
+seemed a little sorry. They wanted everybody to be as happy as
+themselves.
+
+'It isn't that you don't think there'd be room enough in the carriage,
+Aunt Alison, is it?' said Frances, anxiously. 'For the closed wagonette
+is coming too for mamma's maid and the luggage, and I wouldn't mind the
+least bit getting into it.'
+
+'Or I could go on the box,' suggested Eugene. 'I could _quite_ squeeze
+in between Bailey and Fred, and I'm sure they wouldn't mind.'
+
+'Thank you, dears,' said Miss Mildmay, more warmly than she had spoken
+to Jacinth; 'thank you very much. No; it is not on that account. And
+indeed there is plenty of room in here for Eugene extra. But I shall
+enjoy more, coming to-morrow or the day after, and then you must all
+spare me your mother for an hour or so.'
+
+The train was late of course. There was that strange odd bit of time we
+all know so well--of waiting and expectancy, intensified of course in
+the present case by the fact that the mother they were about to meet was
+literally a stranger to the three children. Even Jacinth was a good deal
+paler than her wont, when at last the train slowly steamed into the
+station and drew up beside the platform where they were standing.
+
+Would she have known her mother, she asked herself afterwards? Scarcely;
+there were several passengers who _might_ have been _the_ one. She felt
+almost bewildered when Aunt Alison turned from all, to hurry forward to
+greet a slight, girlish-looking figure--girlish in herself, though not
+in attire or bearing--who was gazing about her with eager eyes.
+
+'Eugenia.'
+
+'Alison,' and the two sisters-in-law had caught each other's hands and
+kissed each other before Jacinth had really taken in that this was
+'mamma!'
+
+Then Miss Mildmay drew back without another word than 'Here they are! I
+did want to give them over to you, myself, you see,' and her usually
+calm voice trembled a little.
+
+And Jacinth felt an arm thrown round her, and the words whispered into
+her ear, 'My darling child!' and for almost the first time in her life a
+choking sensation that was not pain, and a rush to her eyes of tears
+that were not sorrow, made her dimly conscious that she knew her own
+nature and its depths less fully than she had imagined.
+
+And then in turn she fell back a little while the two younger ones, with
+a glad cry from Francie of 'Mamma, mamma!' and a solemn 'It's me; I'm
+Eugene,' from the small brother, were drawn close, close, by the arms
+that had not held them for so long, and kissed as they never remembered
+having been kissed before.
+
+And somehow--I don't think any of them could ever clearly have told how;
+perhaps Mrs Mildmay's maid had a head on her shoulders and was equal to
+the occasion--they all found themselves in the landau again; all, that
+is to say, except Aunt Alison, who stood waving good-bye to them all
+from the curbstone, her face for once actually rosy with excitement.
+
+'Mamma!' said Frances, and then she stopped short. 'It's too lovely, I
+can't speak.'
+
+Eugene was stroking his mother's mantle. It was of soft downy material,
+rich in colour and texture.
+
+'How pretty!' he said.
+
+Jacinth glanced at it and the rest of her mother's attire, and at her
+mother herself. She felt proud of her, of her undeniable beauty and air
+of distinction--proud to present her to Lady Myrtle--and yet----
+
+'I wonder if mamma is very much taken up with her clothes,' she thought.
+'I wonder if she is extravagant. I expect I _shall_ have to take a good
+deal upon me, as Lady Myrtle said. I suppose people in India really grow
+very unpractical.'
+
+Poor Lady Myrtle! Little had she intended her words to be thus
+travestied.
+
+But the reflection was not disagreeable to Jacinth, to whom a position
+of responsibility and management was always congenial. She took her
+mother's hand in hers, and smiling at Eugene replied: 'Yes indeed. What
+lovely fur trimming, mamma! And what a pretty bonnet! You couldn't have
+had that in India, surely?'
+
+'No,' said Mrs Mildmay, smiling back at her children, 'I got one or two
+things in London yesterday. I thought you would like me to look nice,
+especially as I was going straight to Robin Redbreast. I don't believe
+poor dear Aunt Alison would have seen any difference if I had come back
+in the same clothes I went away in all those years ago.'
+
+'No,' agreed Frances, 'I don't believe she would.'
+
+But Jacinth looked a little grave; she could not quite 'make out' her
+mother.
+
+'Aunt Alison spends almost nothing on herself,' she said. 'She gives
+away every farthing she possibly can.'
+
+'I know she does, dear. She is the most self-denying person in those
+ways that I have ever met,' said Mrs Mildmay heartily, though mentally
+hoping to herself that Jacinth was not very matter-of-fact. But Eugene
+was looking very solemn.
+
+'What are you thinking of, my boy? his mother asked.
+
+'Those clothes,' he said, 'those clothes what you went away with. They
+must be wored out. I was only two when you went away, mamma?'
+
+This made them all laugh, which was perhaps a good thing--a slight
+relief to the over-excitement which in their different ways all had been
+experiencing.
+
+'Mamma,' said Frances earnestly, when the laughter had calmed down, 'I
+_must_ tell you, I had no idea you were so pretty. I think you are the
+very prettiest person I ever saw.'
+
+'So do I,' Eugene chimed in.
+
+Mrs Mildmay could not resist kissing again the two sweet flushed faces.
+
+'My darlings,' she said, 'I hope you will always think so, in one way,
+even when my hair is white and my face old and wrinkled.'
+
+'I hope,' thought Jacinth to herself, 'I hope mamma isn't--not vain,
+it's such a contemptible word--but I hope she doesn't care too much for
+looks and outside things of that kind.'
+
+But the very defining her thoughts startled her. She knew she had no
+right to begin criticising her mother in this way, and she pulled
+herself up.
+
+'Mamma,' she said, and her tone was both perfectly natural and simple,
+and more unconstrained than Mrs Mildmay had yet heard it--'mamma, isn't
+it really delightful, and isn't it almost wonderful that we should be
+all staying with Lady Myrtle and taking you to her? Isn't it really like
+a fairy story?'
+
+'It is indeed,' said Mrs Mildmay. 'It _is_ wonderful. The way that she
+seemed to start up just when--so soon after we had lost dear granny, and
+in a sense our home.'
+
+'It would have been lovely, of course, for you to come back to us
+anyway,' said Frances, 'but it wouldn't have been _so_ lovely if we'd
+all been going to Aunt Alison's. It's _rather_ a poky place, you know,
+mamma, and in India I suppose the houses are all _enormous_. I can only
+remember like in a dream, about very big, very white rooms.'
+
+'The last house we've had was far from _enormous_,' said her mother with
+a smile, 'still it was very nice. I often wished you and Jassie could
+have been with us there.'
+
+'But--oh mamma, you'll never go back again,' pleaded Frances. 'We've got
+dear papa's coming to look forward to now, and after that--never mind
+_where_ we live, if only we stay together.'
+
+Mrs Mildmay smiled, though for the first time with a touch of sadness.
+
+'Don't let us spoil to-day by looking forward, dear; except, as you say,
+to your father's coming. If he were here, everything _would_ seem
+perfect.'
+
+'And here's Robin Redbreast,' exclaimed Jacinth, as they turned the
+corner of the lane, 'and "Uncle Marmy's gates" wide open in your honour.
+Generally we drive in at the side. Now, mamma, take a good look. First
+impressions are everything, you know. Isn't _this_ perfect?'
+
+She seemed full of enthusiasm, which her mother was glad to see and
+quick to respond to.
+
+'It _is_ beautiful: I have never seen anything like it,' she replied
+warmly. 'And _could_ there have been a more exquisite day?'
+
+'And mamma, mamma,' cried Eugene, 'you know, don't you, it was all me
+that got friends with Lady Myrtle; me, with getting--_wursty_, that day,
+you know?'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+A COURAGEOUS PLEADER.
+
+
+Lady Myrtle was standing in the porch. It seemed to her only fitting
+that she should come thus far to welcome such a guest, and something in
+her almost tremulously affectionate greeting touched Mrs Mildmay keenly.
+
+'It is _so_ good of you--meeting me like this,' the younger woman
+whispered, as she threw her arms round her old friend. 'And, oh, how
+delightful it is to have you and this to come to!'
+
+'My dear, my dear,' said Lady Myrtle, 'don't thank me. Only let me see
+that you and your children are happy and at home with me; that is _all_
+I care about.'
+
+And again she kissed the Eugenia she had not seen since her childhood.
+
+Mrs Mildmay was very like Frances; correctly speaking, one should put it
+the other way, but as a new actor on the scene of this little story it
+is natural thus to express it. Her face had something indescribably
+childlike about it; her blue eyes were almost wistful, though the whole
+expression was bright and happy and very changeful. Yet there was plenty
+of 'character'--no dearth of good firm lines, with yet an entire absence
+of anything denoting hardness or obstinacy; the whole giving from the
+first candid glance an impression of extreme ingenuousness and
+single-mindedness.
+
+[Illustration: 'It is so good of you, meeting me like this,' the younger
+woman whispered, as she threw her arms round her old friend.]
+
+'You are not like your mother,' said Lady Myrtle, when the little group
+had made its way into the drawing-room where tea was already waiting. 'I
+knew you were not. Yet something in your voice recalls her. I suppose
+you can _scarcely_ remember her,' she went on, 'not well enough to see
+the really marvellous resemblance between her and my child here--my
+child as well as yours?' and she smiled at Jacinth who was standing by,
+and laid her hand affectionately on the girl's arm.
+
+'Oh yes,' Mrs Mildmay replied, 'I remember enough for that. And then I
+have one or two excellent portraits, besides the large one at
+Stannesley; at least my father always told me they were excellent. And
+even when Jassie was quite tiny, he saw the likeness and was delighted
+at it. But I--I am quite "Denison" I know, and so are Francie and
+Eugene. The odd thing is that Jassie is also in some ways more like the
+Mildmays than the two others.'
+
+'I have never seen your husband, you know,' said Lady Myrtle. 'I can't
+say that the likeness to good Miss Alison Mildmay has ever struck me.'
+
+The quaint way in which the old lady said it made them all smile a
+little--all, that is to say, except Jacinth. She had not altogether
+relished her mother's remark.
+
+But that evening was a most happy one--perhaps the very happiest the two
+younger children had ever known--and one certainly to be marked with a
+white stone in the memory of all the five who spent it together. By a
+tacit agreement no uncertain or anxious questions were touched upon. Mrs
+Mildmay was able to give a good account of their father's health at the
+time of her leaving him, to the children, and made them all laugh by her
+account of her brother Marmaduke's description of the terrible formality
+of that first evening at Market Square Place. She seemed gifted with a
+wonderful amount of fun and merriment: Jacinth caught herself laughing
+after a fashion which was very rare with her.
+
+'Mamma is ever so much _younger_ than I,' she said to herself when she
+found herself alone for the night. 'She is as charming and sweet as she
+can be. But I can foresee some things pretty clearly. It is a good thing
+I am of a different character. What would happen if we were all as
+impulsive and'--'childish' was the word in her thoughts, but again she
+felt a little startled at the length to which her criticism of her
+mother was going, and pulled herself up--'as impulsive as Francie, and
+as mamma must be by nature?'
+
+And she fell asleep in the midst of a not unpleasing picture of herself
+as the wise, considerate prop of the whole family, looked up to by her
+parents, leant upon by Lady Myrtle, a Lady Bountiful to all within her
+reach, a----But here I think her imaginings probably faded into the
+phantasmagoria of dreams.
+
+Mrs Mildmay had bidden her elder girl a fond good-night; then she
+hastened along the passage for a moment's peep into Frances's little
+room.
+
+'The child will be asleep, I daresay,' she thought to herself. 'It is
+almost selfish of me to risk waking her. But I will be very careful, and
+I really cannot resist the delight of seeing them in bed, of knowing
+they are under the same roof again at last.'
+
+And she stole in. It was a moonlight night. Francie had been in bed some
+little time, but she was not asleep. She was lying with her eyes wide
+open gazing out through the unshaded window, which was within her view,
+at the tree tops, illumined by the silvery radiance, and swaying gently
+in the soft night breeze; her shaggy hair making a background on the
+pillow for her sweet, childish face. And at the faint sound her mother
+made on entering she started up.
+
+'Mamma, mamma!' she cried, as Mrs Mildmay knelt down and threw her arms
+round the little figure. 'My own little mamma, my own, my own! to think
+it _is_ you, to think I really and truly have you. Oh, can I _ever_ be
+so happy again! Oh, mamma darling, I don't know _how_ to thank God
+enough; that was what I was thinking about when you came in. No, no, you
+didn't wake me. I haven't been asleep.'
+
+'My darling, my own little girl!' whispered Mrs Mildmay.
+
+'Mamma dear,' Frances went on, after a moment's beautiful silence. 'I
+feel already that I can tell you _everything_. Now there's one thing;
+it's come into my mind again since I've been in bed; I'm afraid I forgot
+about it in the first _rush_ of happiness, you know, but now I've
+remembered. Mamma, don't you think when we're awfully happy we should
+try to do something for other people--that God means us to? Well, it's
+about the Harpers. Oh, mamma, I'm afraid they are having such very bad
+troubles just now.'
+
+Mrs Mildmay started a little.
+
+'You don't mean, dear--you haven't heard anything _quite_ lately, about
+the father, Captain Harper, have you?'
+
+'No,' said Frances, 'I've not heard anything. Miss Falmouth was the only
+girl who knew about them away from school, and she has left. But you
+remember I wrote to you that Bessie and Margaret mightn't come back, and
+they haven't. And I'm _sure_ it's because they've got poorer with their
+father being so ill. Mamma, did you hear anything more from their aunt
+before you left?'
+
+'Yes,' said Mrs Mildmay sadly. 'I heard a good deal. All there is to
+hear, indeed. A letter from the eldest daughter, Camilla Harper--the one
+who wrote to you--came to Mrs Lyle just before I left. She showed it to
+me. I am afraid it is as you say, Francie; they have very heavy troubles
+and anxieties indeed.'
+
+'And _don't_ you think they're good, really very good people, mamma?'
+asked the child eagerly.
+
+'I think they seem quite wonderfully good,' said her mother, warmly. 'I
+cannot understand; I mean I can scarcely realise, how they can all be so
+brave and cheerful, when one thing after another--one misfortune after
+another--has come to try them so terribly. Yes, it almost frightens me
+to think of our happiness in comparison with their troubles, Francie.'
+
+'But mamma,' and Frances hesitated. 'If we can do anything to help them?
+Wouldn't that make it seem _righter_? I mean as if we were meant to do
+it.'
+
+'I _am_ going to try,' said Mrs Mildmay. Her voice was low and quiet,
+but it carried assurance with it. 'Your father and I talked a great deal
+about it after we heard the worst of things from Mrs Lyle. And we
+decided that it would be only right, even at the risk of annoying or
+even offending Lady Myrtle. It seems "meant" as you say, Francie--the
+coincidences of it all--my coming straight here, and that letter
+reaching Mrs Lyle just before I left. So we quite made up our minds
+about it.'
+
+Frances drew a deep breath of thankfulness.
+
+'It does seem as if everything I have most wanted was going to come,'
+she said.
+
+Then, as her mother, after kissing her again, was turning to leave the
+room, telling her she really 'must go to sleep,' the little girl called
+her back for a moment.
+
+'Mamma, dear,' she said. 'If you don't mind, would you please not say
+anything to Jass about what we've been talking of.'
+
+Mrs Mildmay looked a little surprised.
+
+'Why not, dear? Why should I not tell her as well as you?'
+
+'Oh well, because Jass didn't know Bessie and Margaret nearly as well as
+I did, and you must have seen by her letters that she didn't care about
+them like me,' said Frances.
+
+'But that does not, in one way, much signify,' replied her mother. 'Once
+Jacinth knows all about them she will feel as we do: your father and I
+do not know any of them personally. It is not as friends of ours that I
+would in any way plead their cause with their own near relation.'
+
+'No, of course not,' said Frances. But still she did not seem satisfied.
+'Jacinth has always been so afraid of vexing Lady Myrtle by seeming to
+interfere,' she said. 'And even Aunt Alison said it was better not.'
+
+'Very likely not. You are both too young to have it in your power to do
+anything. Still, I am sure you have lost no opportunity of speaking
+highly of the girls whom you _do_ think so highly of.'
+
+'Yes,' said Frances, quietly. 'I have done that. But somehow, mamma, I
+have vexed Jass about it several times. I shouldn't like her to think I
+had "spoilt" your first evening, by beginning about the Harpers. That's
+what she might say.'
+
+'I will give her no reason for being vexed with you, dear. I can
+understand her fear of vexing Lady Myrtle--I feel the same myself--and
+when I tell her, Jacinth, all about it, it will be in no way mixed up
+with you, Francie. She will only need to understand the whole thing
+thoroughly to agree with us.'
+
+And Frances fell asleep in happy confidence that 'mamma' would put it
+all right. How delightful it was to have her at hand to lean upon!
+
+But Mrs Mildmay had spoken rather more confidently about Jacinth than
+she quite felt. Frances's words reminded her of the cold, unsympathising
+way in which her elder daughter had alluded in her letters to the
+Harpers; after knowing all that Frances had written to her mother.
+
+'Jacinth is thoughtful and considerate beyond her years,' thought she,
+'but I do trust she is no way selfish or calculating. Oh no, that is
+impossible. I must not be fanciful. Marmy warned me that I might find
+her self-contained and even self-opinionated, but that is very different
+from anything mean or selfish. It is sad, all the same, to know nothing
+of one's own child for one's self, at first hand. Whatever the poor
+Harpers' trials have been,' she went on, as Frances had once said to
+Bessie, 'at least they have been spared this terrible, unnatural
+separation.'
+
+And the thought brought back to her again the task that was before her
+on the morrow. She was not a little nervous about it. 'But I must not
+delay,' she said to herself. 'If anything is to be done to help them in
+this present crisis, it must be at once. And I promised Mrs Lyle not to
+put off. I wonder when I shall have the best chance of a good talk with
+Lady Myrtle. Alison is coming over in the morning, she said. Naturally
+she is anxious to hear all about Frank. I wish it had not happened that
+I was obliged to begin upon a certainly _painful_, a possibly offensive
+topic with the dear old lady just at the very first! And when she is so
+very, very good to us!'
+
+But Eugenia Mildmay was not the type of woman to shrink from what she
+believed to be an undoubted duty because it was painful to herself, or
+even to others.
+
+'Dear little Frances,' was almost her last waking thought, 'I feel as if
+I already understood _her_ perfectly. And oh, I do hope I shall be wise
+and judicious with my Jassie too.'
+
+Every trace of fatigue had vanished from Mrs Mildmay's bright face when
+they all met at breakfast the next morning; the 'all' including Lady
+Myrtle, who had now begun again to come down early, since the fine mild
+weather had, for the time, dispelled her chronic bronchitis. She looked
+round the table with a beaming face.
+
+'It is long since I have had such a party at breakfast,' she said.
+'Never before, I think, indeed, since I have been settled at Robin
+Redbreast, and that is a good while ago. To make it perfect we only want
+your husband, Eugenia, whom you know, I have never seen.'
+
+'Well, I hope it will not be very long before you do see him; and I can
+assure you he is very eager to see you, dear Lady Myrtle,' replied Mrs
+Mildmay.
+
+'_How_ like mamma is to Frances!' thought Jacinth. It struck her even
+more forcibly this morning than the day before.
+
+'Is Colonel Mildmay dark or fair? Does he resemble his sister?' inquired
+the old lady.
+
+Mrs Mildmay considered.
+
+'No; I scarcely think so,' she said. 'And yet there is a family
+likeness. The odd thing is, as I was saying, that though Jacinth "takes
+after" my mother's family so decidedly, yet she is more like the
+Mildmays than either Francie or Eugene.'
+
+'I don't see it, I confess,' said Lady Myrtle drily, and Mrs Mildmay
+caught for the first time a glimpse of the cold manner the old lady
+could assume if not altogether well pleased. But in less than an instant
+Lady Myrtle seemed herself to regret it. 'I mean to say I see no
+resemblance in Jacinth to Miss Alison Mildmay. Of course I cannot judge
+as to her having any to her father.'
+
+'Papa has dark hair, like Jass,' said Frances. 'But he's very
+nice-looking.'
+
+'The "but" doesn't sound very complimentary to me, Francie,' said
+Jacinth laughingly; and her mother, glancing at her, was struck by the
+wonderful charm of the smile that overspread her face.
+
+'I wasn't thinking of you that way,' said Frances, bluntly. 'I was
+thinking of Aunt Alison.'
+
+'Aunt Alison's not pretty,' said Eugene. 'Her's too--not smiley enough,
+not like mamma.'
+
+'Eugene!' said his mother. But Eugene did not seem at all snubbed.
+
+'_A propos_ of Miss Alison Mildmay,' said Lady Myrtle, 'she is coming to
+see you to-day, is she not? She must be anxious to hear all about her
+brother.'
+
+'Yes,' said Mrs Mildmay, 'she will be coming quite early. Jassie told us
+you are often busy in the morning, so I thought that would be the best
+time for me to be with her.'
+
+'Jacinth knows all my ways,' said Lady Myrtle with a smile of approval.
+'Yes, that will do nicely; Miss Mildmay must stay to luncheon, and then
+you and I, Eugenia, can drive her back. Will you drive with me this
+afternoon? I always enjoy a talk in a carriage along our quiet roads.'
+
+'Thank you; that will be very pleasant,' said Mrs Mildmay. And no one
+would have suspected the slight sinking of heart with which she said to
+herself that this would clearly be the best opportunity for what she had
+to lay before her kind hostess as to the poor Harpers.
+
+'We begin school again on Monday,' said Frances. 'I do hope it will be
+fine till then. Jass, won't you stay with Eugene and me this afternoon?
+We do so want to get the house we are building finished so that we can
+have tea in it on Lady Myrtle's birthday.'
+
+'Yes,' Mrs Mildmay interposed quickly, 'that will do very well, and
+to-morrow perhaps Jassie may drive with you, Lady Myrtle, and then I
+will invite myself to spend the afternoon with you two, shall I?'
+
+Her quick tact, founded on sympathy, warned her of the possibility of
+the elder girl feeling herself thrown out of the place she had naturally
+come to feel as her own beside the old lady.
+
+'And Lady Myrtle is so devoted to Jacinth too. She would miss her, even
+though she would not like to seem to prefer her to me,' thought the
+mother; and the expression in the two faces rewarded her for her
+consideration.
+
+Frances had her own ideas as to her mother's intentions in connection
+with the proposed drive that afternoon. But she was already perfectly at
+rest in the delightful certainty that 'mamma would know what was best to
+do.' So, though deeply interested and in a sense anxious, she had no
+nervous misgiving as to the result of the effort which she felt sure was
+going to be made in behalf of her friends, and she spent the afternoon
+very happily with her sister and brother, working at the famous house
+they had been allowed to build in a corner of the garden. It was very
+interesting, and even Jacinth, in some ways less 'grown-up' than she
+liked to fancy herself, found it very absorbing. By half-past four
+o'clock they had all worked so hard that they really began to be very
+tired and rather hot.
+
+'I wish it was tea-time,' said Jacinth. 'We are all to have tea together
+while the holidays last. Lady Myrtle thought mamma would like it. And,
+of course, you and Eugene, Francie, will come in at the end of dinner as
+you did last night. I wonder why Lady Myrtle and mamma are so long. I
+suppose they've gone a long drive.'
+
+'They started rather late,' said Frances. 'Aunt Alison was talking to
+Lady Myrtle a good while after the carriage was at the door. But I
+wonder they're not back by now. Don't you think we'd better go in now
+and get tidy, so as to be quite ready when they come?'
+
+They did so. But for once Frances was the more expeditious of the two.
+When Mrs Mildmay entered her own room on returning from the drive, a
+little figure, unexceptionably neat as to hair and hands and garments,
+darted out from behind the window-curtains whence she had been watching
+the drive up to the house.
+
+'Mamma, dear,' she exclaimed, 'don't ring for Syme. Mayn't I help you to
+take off your things for once? I do so want to ask you--you don't mind,
+do you?--_have_ you been able to say anything to Lady Myrtle? I had a
+feeling that you meant to speak about it the very first chance you
+could.'
+
+Mrs Mildmay looked a little agitated.
+
+'Francie, dear,' she said, 'I haven't time to tell you about it just
+now. We must hurry down to tea. But I have done _something_, and I
+almost hope I have made a beginning towards more. All I can, all it
+would be right for me to tell you, I will. But I scarcely think I can do
+so to-day. Come to my room quite early to-morrow morning, half an hour
+or so before breakfast. As soon as we have had tea just now, I have
+promised to help--at least she puts it so--Lady Myrtle to write a rather
+difficult letter.'
+
+'Is it to the Harpers?' half whispered Frances.
+
+Her mother nodded.
+
+Frances gave a sort of skip of joy.
+
+'Oh, mamma, how lovely!' she exclaimed. 'How clever you are! I do
+believe everything's going to come right.'
+
+'Don't be too hopeful, dear. But at least their _present_ terrible
+difficulties will be a little smoothed, I trust.
+
+And it was no use telling Frances not to be too hopeful. She seemed
+almost to dance as she followed her mother down-stairs, and the
+drawing-room at Robin Redbreast had rarely, if ever, heard brighter talk
+and merrier laughter than went on this afternoon round the tea-table,
+where Jacinth did the honours as if she were the recognised daughter of
+the house.
+
+It went perhaps somewhat against the grain with her to be told, though
+in the kindest manner, that Lady Myrtle and Mrs Mildmay had some
+business letters to write in the boudoir, and must not be disturbed till
+post-time. But she was a sensible girl on the whole, and really glad to
+see the cordial understanding between her mother and the friend who
+seemed to her now by adoption almost a second mother. And she was
+without the slightest suspicion that the letters in question concerned
+the Harpers, of whom indeed for some time past she had almost left off
+thinking at all.
+
+'Possibly it's already something about the London appointment for papa,'
+she thought. 'Lady Myrtle is always so energetic and business-like. I
+daresay she would have _liked_ to consult me about it, but then it would
+scarcely have seemed right not to make mamma the first of course.'
+
+And she answered so pleasantly that she and Frances had a duet they
+wanted to practise before playing it to their mother, that Mrs Mildmay's
+slight instinctive misgiving as to her elder daughter's docility and
+reasonableness was for the time completely dispersed.
+
+'To-morrow, you know, dear Jacinth, you are to drive with me,' said Lady
+Myrtle, 'while your mother is going to have Francie and Eugene all to
+herself.'
+
+Perhaps the result of Mrs Mildmay's conversation with her hostess during
+their drive that afternoon will be best shown by one of the letters
+which the Robin Redbreast postbag carried off that very evening. It was
+addressed to Mrs Harper at a certain number in a quiet bye-street in the
+north-west of London, and ran thus:
+
+                              ROBIN REDBREAST, THETFORD,
+                              _May_ 4, 187-.
+
+     MY DEAR MRS HARPER--I write to you instead of to your
+     husband, Captain Harper, who is by birth my nephew, as I
+     understand that he might be upset by an unexpected letter,
+     being at present in a critical state of health. I regret
+     that it should be so, and that your anxieties should be
+     increased by other difficulties, and I enclose a draft on my
+     London bankers for L500, which will, I trust, relieve you
+     from your most pressing cares. I ask you to accept this in a
+     kindly spirit, though from a complete stranger. It is the
+     gift of an aged woman who is always glad to have the
+     privilege of helping those whose difficulties may become
+     privately known to her, as well as of responding to the many
+     public appeals for assistance. But it is not the gift of a
+     relative. From a certain date, now many years ago, my
+     brother Bernard Harper and all connected with him died to me
+     as completely as though he had never existed, and I feel it
+     only honest to put the matter in its true light at the risk
+     of wounding not unnatural susceptibilities. I ask you also
+     to accept my sincere good wishes for Captain Harper's
+     restoration to health, and I remain, yours faithfully,
+
+                                  MYRTLE CAMILLA GOODACRE.
+
+It was a strange letter. And strange as it was, it had been more
+eccentric still, but for Mrs Mildmay's strenuous efforts to soften its
+expressions and accentuate the real sympathy which had dictated the
+gift. It was a strange position altogether. The tears had risen into the
+old lady's bright eyes when her old friend Jacinth Moreland's daughter
+laid before her the sad facts of the case, and the life or death that
+not improbably hung upon her response. Never had good cause a better
+advocate. She read aloud the letter written by Camilla Harper to her
+aunt in India, and confided by Mrs Lyle to Mrs Mildmay; she told of
+Captain Harper's honourable career, and of the brave struggle made by
+him and his wife against the overwhelming difficulties which had come
+upon them through no fault--no imprudence even--of their own; she
+described the good promise of their children, how the sons were all
+already more or less 'distinguished, the daughters models of girlish
+excellence.'
+
+'I quite believe it all,' the old lady calmly replied. 'It is very
+wonderful; there must be a good strain somewhere in the blood, and
+struggle and adversity are grand teachers, we are told. It is very
+interesting, and I am most ready to help them in any way you advise, my
+dear Eugenia, or that you think would be accepted. But understand me, I
+would do the same if I had never heard their name till to-day. It is
+_not_ as relations; Bernard Harper's descendants are neither kith nor
+kin of mine, and this must be understood.'
+
+Mrs Mildmay seemed about to speak, but hesitated.
+
+'What is it, my dear? Do not be afraid of vexing me: do say what is in
+your mind,' said the old lady.
+
+'You are so good, dear Lady Myrtle, so good and kind, that it seems
+impertinence for me to differ from you,' the younger woman replied. 'It
+was only that your words struck me curiously. _Can_ we decide and alter
+things in that way? Our relations _are_ our relations; can we, when it
+suits us, say they are not? Can we throw off the duties and
+responsibilities of relationship? Of course they vary enormously;
+sometimes they scarcely exist, and one can lay down no rule. But still,
+in the present case, it _is_ because the Harpers are your relations, and
+yet by no fault of their own entirely alienated from you, that I have
+told you about them. These are solid substantial facts; we cannot undo
+_facts_.'
+
+Lady Myrtle was silent. Mrs Mildmay glanced at her anxiously, very
+anxiously. But there was no sign of irritation in the quiet old
+face--only of thought, deep thought. And there was a grave softness in
+the usually keen eyes, as if they were reviewing far distant or far past
+scenes.
+
+At last, 'Thank you, my dear, for your candour,' she said. 'Well, leave
+that question alone. I will help this family and at once, because it
+seems to me a clear duty to do so. Can you not be satisfied with this
+practical response to your appeal, my dear?'
+
+'I thank you with all my heart,' said Mrs Mildmay earnestly, 'both for
+your generosity and for your patience with my presumption.'
+
+But she evaded a direct reply to Lady Myrtle's question, and her friend
+did not press her farther.
+
+The result of this conversation we have seen in the letter with its
+enclosure which was posted that very evening. The former was not a
+source of unmitigated satisfaction to Mrs Mildmay. For Lady Myrtle
+insisted on the insertion of the last few lines.
+
+It would not be honest, she maintained, to withhold the expression of
+her true sentiments.
+
+So with what she _had_ achieved, Mrs Mildmay was forced to be content,
+though there were times during the next day or two in which she asked
+herself if perhaps she had not done more harm than good? And times
+again, when with the rebound of her naturally buoyant nature, she
+allowed herself to hope that she had succeeded in inserting the thin
+edge of the wedge; in 'making,' as she had expressed it to Francie, 'a
+beginning towards more.'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+LADY MYRTLE'S INTENTIONS.
+
+
+And Francie, during those few days, was her mother's only confidante.
+Various reasons made Mrs Mildmay decide not as yet to come upon the
+subject with Jacinth. While still to all intents and purposes so much of
+a stranger to her daughter, she felt anxious to avoid all sore or
+fretted ground; all discussion which might lead her prematurely to judge
+or misjudge Jacinth. To Lady Myrtle, of course, she said nothing of
+this; but she suspected, as was indeed the case, that the old lady would
+feel no inclination to talk about the Harpers to her young companion.
+There were plenty of pleasanter things to talk about during the long
+drives on which, on most alternate afternoons, Jacinth accompanied their
+hostess; there were reminiscences of the past, always interesting to the
+girl, awakened to fresh vividness by Mrs Mildmay's own recollections of
+her mother and her own childhood; there were, more engrossing still,
+plans for the future, when 'papa' should return and be skilfully
+persuaded into renouncing India. And Lady Myrtle was nearly as great at
+castle-in-the-air building as Jacinth herself, and though too wise to
+discuss as yet with any one, especially with a girl who was really,
+notwithstanding her precocity, little more than a child, her still
+immatured intentions, Jacinth was far too acute, and Lady Myrtle too
+open and affectionate, for her young favourite not to be well aware how
+much her own future occupied and interested the old lady. Yet Jacinth
+was scarcely selfish in the common sense. She was capable, on the
+contrary, of great self-sacrifice for those she loved; her happy visions
+for days to come were by no means confined to, even though they might to
+a great extent revolve around, Jacinth Mildmay.
+
+As seems often to happen when a looked-for letter, or reply to a letter,
+is of any peculiar importance, there was some delay in the
+acknowledgment of Lady Myrtle's communication by Mrs Harper. The old
+lady herself took it calmly enough. 'It should, as a business letter,
+have been replied to at once, but perhaps they are not business-like
+people, and are thinking it over,' was all she said.
+
+Mrs Mildmay, on the contrary, and, so far as she understood it all,
+Frances, felt uneasy and perplexed. Mrs Mildmay was sorry for the
+Harpers to lay themselves open to the slightest appearance of disrespect
+or unpunctuality, and at the same time she had attacks of fear that Lady
+Myrtle's letter had hurt and wounded her relatives so deeply that they
+had decided to ignore it. Only, in that case, they would have returned
+the cheque.
+
+'It is very absurd,' she said one evening to Frances. 'I don't generally
+"worry" about things at all, and I am quite sure I have never worried
+about any matter of our own as much. Except, perhaps, that time you all
+had scarlet fever at Stannesley, and somehow Marmy's letter missed the
+mail, and we were out of reach of telegraphing. Oh dear, I shall never
+forget that week!'
+
+'Dear mamma,' said Francie, 'I quite know how you feel. I was so fidgety
+that time I sent on Camilla Harper's letter to you, though it wasn't
+anything like as important.'
+
+But the very next morning the mystery was explained, and quite simply.
+
+After breakfast Lady Myrtle sent for Mrs Mildmay to her boudoir, where
+she always interviewed her steward and transacted her business for the
+day.
+
+'I have just got this, my dear,' she said, handing a letter to her
+guest, 'and I knew you would be anxious to see it. The delay, you see,
+was accidental.'
+
+Her tone of voice somewhat reassured Mrs Mildmay; it was calm and
+unruffled. Nevertheless it was not without considerable anxiety that she
+took the sheet of paper from the old lady's hands and began to read it.
+It was from Mrs Harper--a touching yet dignified letter, and the cheque
+was not returned. Mrs Harper began by thanking Lady Myrtle warmly for
+her kindness; the money she had sent seemed indeed a 'godsend' in the
+real sense of the word, and no secondary considerations could make her
+think it would be right to refuse what might--what, she trusted and
+almost believed, _would_ save her husband's life and restore him to
+health--'even,' she went on to say, 'if it were _possible_ after this,
+for us to think of you as an utter stranger, even then I would not dare
+to refuse this wonderful help. But at the same time you will allow us, I
+feel sure, to accept it as a loan, even though several years may pass
+before it is possible for us to repay it. Your agreeing to this will
+only immeasurably deepen, instead of lessening our inexpressible
+obligation.' The letter then went on to give a few details of her
+husband's condition, and the hopes and fears attendant on it. 'I am
+writing in my lodgings,' Mrs Harper went on, 'before going to him as
+usual at the hospital. So he does not yet know of this wonderful gift.
+And I think, as in your kind thoughtfulness you wrote to _me_, not to
+him, I am justified in accepting your aid without consulting him, so
+that I may tell him it is _done_. Not that in my heart I have any
+misgiving as to the view he will take of my action.' And lastly came a
+simple explanation of the delay. Mrs Harper had been for a day or two at
+Southcliff, as little Margaret was not well, and the rather stupid
+landlady of her London lodgings had never thought of forwarding the
+letter, knowing she was so soon to return. This with a few earnest words
+of repeated thanks made the whole.
+
+Mrs Mildmay looked up eagerly after she had finished it.
+
+'You are pleased, dear Lady Myrtle?' she said. 'At least I mean,' and
+she grew a little confused, for the old lady remained rather ominously
+silent, 'you think it is a nice letter, don't you? It seems to me to
+show peculiarly good feeling and good taste, for it cannot have been an
+easy letter to write.'
+
+'Oh yes, my dear, I quite agree with you,' said Lady Myrtle with just a
+faint touch of impatience. 'I don't see how any one could think
+otherwise of the letter. I am perfectly satisfied that--she,' as if she
+shrank from naming the old name, 'is an excellent woman; refined and
+cultivated, and everything she should be. And I have no doubt they are
+all thoroughly deserving of the high character they bear. I thank you--I
+really do--for having given me the opportunity of serving people who so
+clearly deserve help. And these cases of bravely endured, almost
+unsuspected poverty among the gently born appeal to one almost more than
+the sufferings of the recognised "poor," though, of course, it is right
+to help both.'
+
+'Yes,' said Mrs Mildmay, 'I often feel it so. And it is very good of you
+to put things in this way, Lady Myrtle. It takes away my qualms about
+having interfered,' and she smiled a little.
+
+'But, my dear, I have not done,' Lady Myrtle went on, a trifle testily,
+'you must quite understand me. It is not _the very least_--no, no; quite
+the other way--not the very least because they are Harpers that I am
+glad to be of use to them. Neither this letter, nor your own
+arguments--nothing, my dear, will alter the facts I stated to you the
+other day.'
+
+'No,' agreed Mrs Mildmay, and she could scarcely repress a little smile;
+'that was what I said myself, dear Lady Myrtle; nothing _can_ alter
+facts.'
+
+'Your facts and mine are scarcely synonymous,' said Lady Myrtle, drily,
+a little annoyed with herself perhaps, for having unconsciously made use
+of Mrs Mildmay's own expression. But the annoyance was not deep, for in
+another moment she added cheerfully, 'We are quite together on one
+point, however, and that is in rejoicing that this help has come in
+time, as we may hope, to save a valuable life and much sorrow to those
+who cherish it. If _this_ prove a fact, I think, my dear Eugenia, we may
+rest content.'
+
+'Yes, indeed,' replied Mrs Mildmay, touched by her old friend's
+gentleness, though to herself she added, 'for the present, that is to
+say.'
+
+And when to eager little Frances she related the upshot of her
+intervention, she did not retract her former words about having made a
+beginning.
+
+'I _think_,' she said, 'I have got in the thin end of the wedge. When
+honest-minded people are a little shaken in anything, they try hard to
+persuade themselves by extra vehemence that they are not so.'
+
+'Mamma, dear,' said Frances, 'I am beginning to believe not only that
+you are the best but the very cleverest woman in the world.'
+
+And Mrs Mildmay laughed the joyous laugh which was one of her charms.
+The success which had attended this attempt of hers so far, did seem a
+happy omen with which to begin again her home life.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It would be interesting here to shift the scene and follow the reception
+of the good news by the three anxious girls at Southcliff. It would--to
+me at least it would--be so pleasant to tell of the happy faces that
+looked at each other with questioning eyes, as if the tidings in their
+mother's letter were almost too good to be true. It would be gratifying
+to watch the progress made by Captain Harper towards the recovery of
+greater health and strength than had been his for so many years, but
+even in telling a story--and the simplest of stories--one cannot always
+do as one is inclined. The time has not yet come for visiting the
+Harpers again. I must hurry on with some necessary explanations before
+leaving Thetford and dear old Robin Redbreast for very different
+surroundings.
+
+That spring and early summer passed on the whole very happily for Mrs
+Mildmay and her three children. As far as Frances and her little brother
+were concerned, there were, I think, no drawbacks, except the fear--not,
+however, a very great one--that this delightful state of things might
+not last if papa should be obliged to return to India. But to a great
+extent their mother was able to reassure them, for in every letter
+Colonel Mildmay wrote more and more strongly of his earnest desire to
+settle at home, even though his doing so should lead to some privations
+falling on his family.
+
+'_Everything_ would be made up for by being together,' said Frances
+over and over again. 'I wouldn't care if we all had to live in quite a
+tiny cottage; would you, Jass?'
+
+But Jacinth replied rather coldly that Frances was a silly child who
+didn't know what she was talking about. And Mrs Mildmay smiled, and
+endeavoured to prevent any approach to quarrelling, as she assured
+Frances that at all events they would be able to afford a comfortable
+house.
+
+'I should rather think so,' said Jacinth in an authoritative and yet
+mysterious tone. 'I do wish, mamma, you would make Frances leave off
+speaking as if we were paupers.'
+
+It is scarcely necessary to say that this conversation and others of a
+similar kind did not take place in Lady Myrtle's presence.
+
+And towards the end of July, sooner than he had hoped for, Colonel
+Mildmay arrived. They were all still at Robin Redbreast to receive him,
+for on hearing how much earlier his leave was to begin than had been
+anticipated, Mrs Mildmay gave in to their kind hostess's earnest wish
+that they should remain there at least till her husband's coming.
+
+'And as much longer as we can persuade him to stay,' Lady Myrtle added.
+'He can so easily run up to town from this, as he is sure to have to be
+there often, about these appointments. And then it will be such a
+pleasure to his sister to have him near.'
+
+'Oh yes, Thetford is as good a headquarters as we could have at
+present,' agreed Mrs Mildmay. 'But Thetford, dear Lady Myrtle, need not
+necessarily mean Robin Redbreast, you know! And it would not be
+difficult for us to find a nice little house there that would suit us
+for the time.'
+
+'Well, well, it will be time enough to see to that when your husband is
+here,' replied the old lady.
+
+And Mrs Mildmay, whose nature was not one to anticipate or dwell upon
+difficulties or uncertainties in the future which she could not in the
+present take action about, gratefully accepted her kind friend's
+hospitality, happy in the knowledge that her doing so really gave
+happiness to Lady Myrtle in return.
+
+It was very strange to have papa in person, 'as large as life or a
+little larger,' said Frances. For they had not pictured to themselves
+quite such a tall, grave, rather awe-inspiring personage as he seemed at
+first. And they could scarcely understand how their mother could be so
+entirely at ease with him; how she could even laugh at him, and tease
+him now and then as if she was not 'the least atom' afraid of him.
+
+But there was plenty of fun and humour hidden in the depths of Colonel
+Mildmay's dark eyes; it was not altogether wanting even in his sister
+Alison, though the circumstances of her life had not brought out several
+of the qualities developed by his wider and larger experiences. And
+before long his children, the two younger ones especially, got to know
+this, and to count upon their father's ever-ready sympathy in even the
+more childish of their interests and amusements. And Jacinth for her
+part was intensely proud of her father. He suited her in every way;
+except that now and then a slight suspicion insinuated itself that this
+very grand and dignified papa of hers, affectionate and even caressing
+as he could be when he laid his hand on her head and smoothed her soft
+hair, was laughing at her a little, which did not at all suit Jacinth's
+princess-like ideas of herself.
+
+Still all was very happy, very happy indeed, the sweet summer days
+passing only too quickly; and for some two or three weeks nothing was
+said about 'plans,' though Colonel Mildmay went up to town more than
+once to visit his doctor and the War Office.
+
+Then came an evening on which he returned from a hot day in London,
+fagged and rather knocked up, though with a certain expression on his
+face which told his watchful and observant wife that he had come to a
+decision, which she quietly waited to hear till he sought a good
+opportunity for telling it. The opportunity came later, when Lady
+Myrtle, a little tired by the unusual heat, had gone to her own room
+earlier than her wont, and the girls and Eugene had also said
+good-night.
+
+'Come out into the garden, Eugenia. We can talk better there; it seems,
+even compared with India, such an airless night.'
+
+'But the stars are beautiful, aren't they, Frank? I do love this place
+so,' said Mrs Mildmay as she seated herself on a rustic chair on the
+edge of the smooth bowling-green-like old lawn.
+
+'You always find the stars--the bright spots in every sky, I think,
+dear,' said her husband. 'I confess I am feeling a little gloomy
+to-night, and yet I am glad it is decided.'
+
+'It _is_ decided, then? I thought so,' said Mrs Mildmay gently.
+
+'Yes. It is quite certain that it would be madness for me ever to think
+of India again, now or years hence. So I have accepted Barmettle. I send
+in the formal papers to-morrow,' and he sighed a little.
+
+'I expected it,' she said. 'I am very thankful, Frank, though you know
+how I sympathise with you about your having to--to--come _down_ at all
+in position as it were.'
+
+'Doing right can never be really coming down,' he replied. 'And it is
+right. The other thing in London would have been impossible, on our
+means, and not work enough either. And there is nothing against
+Barmettle; the place is healthy and cheap, and good education for
+Eugene, and no doubt--the two generally go together--good masters and
+governesses for the girls. Socially speaking, of course, there is not
+much to recommend the place, though there may be a few nice people
+there. But the girls are still very young; we must just do our best, and
+make as happy a home for them as we can.'
+
+'Lady Myrtle is sure often to invite them here,' said Mrs Mildmay,
+'Jacinth especially. When shall we have to go there, Frank? Will it be
+worth while to look out for a temporary house at Thetford, as we had
+thought of?'
+
+'Scarcely,' said Colonel Mildmay. This was the question--'When shall we
+have to go there?'--which he had been the most dreading. He was glad to
+have it over. 'I fear,' he went on, 'you will be rather upset at finding
+how soon we have to go. I, at least. You and the children can stay on
+here awhile if you like, as dear old Lady Myrtle is sure to want you.
+But I myself must be at Barmettle the end of next month.'
+
+'And you certainly shall not go alone,' said Mrs Mildmay, brightly. 'Do
+you think I would trust you to choose a house and all the rest of it? If
+Lady Myrtle will keep Eugene and one of the girls for a week or two, I
+and the other child will go north with you of course, and get settled
+before the others join us. There is only one thing I want to ask you,
+Frank; don't think it is that I have the faintest idea of making you
+change your intention; I do not even _wish_ it. But you have not
+actually--officially--accepted the appointment yet?'
+
+'No, not till to-morrow,' he replied.
+
+'Then let me ask you this: Lady Myrtle has been so very, so more than
+good to us, that I should like to gratify her in every way we can. So
+before _actually_ accepting this, I think we owe it to her to tell her
+about it. I know she is dying for you to take the London thing, and I
+would like her thoroughly to understand the reasons why you don't.'
+
+'They are very simple and unanswerable,' said Colonel Mildmay, curtly.
+
+'Yes, but Frank, though she has never said it actually, I have
+suspicions that she wants to help us practically--to increase our
+income,' said Mrs Mildmay with some hesitation.
+
+'My dear child, I could never consent to anything of the kind,'
+exclaimed Colonel Mildmay, starting up. 'Her hospitality I am most
+grateful for; she may even do things for the children in the future, for
+Jacinth, I suppose, especially, as a godmother or a very old friend
+might. I am not foolishly proud. If she likes to leave you or Jacinth a
+little remembrance in her will, it would not be unnatural. But beyond
+that'----
+
+'I know, I know,' interposed his wife, hurriedly. 'Of course I feel the
+same. But you see, if we talk this over with her, it will both gratify
+her and put things for always in their proper light.'
+
+'Very well; I will do so, then,' said Colonel Mildmay. And then he
+turned and looked at his wife, for there was moonlight by this time,
+very earnestly. 'I don't doubt you, Eugenia,' he said; 'you _know_ I
+never could. But you agree with me entirely, my dearest, do you not? I
+could never accept a position of the kind. And above all, when we know
+that there are others--the Harpers, I mean--who _have_ claims upon her.
+For, but for the grandfather's misconduct, he would have had a good
+proportion of what is now Lady Myrtle's.'
+
+'I absolutely agree with you, Frank,' Mrs Mildmay replied. 'And my most
+earnest hope is that our good old friend may come to see things in the
+right light with regard to her own family. This very conversation which
+I am urging may be a means of leading her to do so.'
+
+Mrs Mildmay's courage would perhaps have failed her had she known what
+the 'conversation' she alluded to so lightly was really to consist of.
+It began by the most strenuous opposition on the old lady's side to the
+Barmettle plan. She had set her heart on Colonel Mildmay's accepting the
+post in London which was, according to her, 'the very thing to be
+desired for him.'
+
+'You would be so near me,' she said. 'Any or all of you could come down
+at any time. Robin Redbreast would be your country home.'
+
+Colonel Mildmay smiled gently while he thanked her, and then he reminded
+her of the overwhelming difference of the two appointments as regarded
+the 'pay.'
+
+'But that needn't--that _would_ not signify,' Lady Myrtle began, though
+with evident difficulty in expressing herself, while Mrs Mildmay's heart
+beat faster as she realised that they were approaching 'the tug of war.'
+'I--you must know--it is only natural;' and with other confused
+expressions about Jacinth being to her 'as her own child,' 'no one of
+her own kith or kin except the Elvedons,' whose affairs were long ago
+definitely arranged, and references to her unforgotten devotion to the
+Jacinth of her youth, the old lady plunged into the thick of things. She
+had not meant to speak so soon, she said; she had wished her intentions
+to be _faits accomplis_ before she disclosed them, but all this had
+upset her and she must explain.
+
+And then she told the whole, and Colonel and Mrs Mildmay, though a
+little prepared for some announcement of proposed benefit to Jacinth in
+the future, listened in appalled and almost stunned silence to Lady
+Myrtle Goodacre's eccentric and, in their eyes, extravagant
+determination.
+
+Jacinth was to be her heir--all that she had to dispose of, and it was
+still a great deal, even without that portion of her wealth which, with
+the knowledge that the old lord would have approved of her doing so, she
+meant to restore to the title; even shorn of that and of some other
+property on the Goodacre side which she only liferented, Lady Myrtle was
+a rich old woman. And all she had to leave, short of legacies to certain
+hospitals and other benevolent institutions which she had interested
+herself in, all was to be Jacinth's. The only landed property was Robin
+Redbreast and the small farm belonging to it, but in money there would
+be more than enough to keep up three or four places of its size.
+
+Mrs Mildmay's heart sank, as she listened, but so far neither she nor
+her husband had interrupted the speaker by word or movement. And she,
+gaining confidence by their silence, at last came to the final
+announcement.
+
+'So you see, my dear friends, that looking upon Jacinth as I do, it is
+only consistent--consistent, and I may say _necessary_--that you consent
+to my at once arranging for a proper allowance, whatever you like to
+call it, being arranged for her. And this--of course you will agree with
+me, that this must be an amount sufficient not only for a thoroughly
+good education, but for her to be surrounded by everything right and
+fitting for the position she will be called upon to occupy, perhaps not
+so very long hence, for I am an old woman. And I do not want to teach or
+induce any selfishness or self-assertion; I have the very greatest
+respect for parental authority; I will tell her nothing, or only what
+you approve of her knowing. But you see how it affects the present
+position of things, and your present decision, my dear Colonel Mildmay.'
+
+Colonel Mildmay moved uneasily in his chair, but still he did not speak.
+
+'You must see,' Lady Myrtle proceeded, 'that it would be entirely
+inconsistent in these circumstances for you to bury yourself and Eugenia
+and the children in a dreadful place like Barmettle. You will, I feel
+satisfied, agree that in anticipating the future a little, as it were,
+and allowing me at once to--to place a certain income at your
+disposal--an income which I am sure Jacinth will continue when things
+are in her own hands--you are only acting reasonably and--justly, I may
+say, as well as in a manner really to earn my gratitude.'
+
+The old lady's voice trembled ominously: this strange continued silence
+was beginning to rouse some apprehension. As she uttered the last
+word--'gratitude'--Mrs Mildmay, hitherto entirely quiescent till her
+husband thought well to speak, could no longer restrain herself. She
+leant forward and caught Lady Myrtle's hand in hers.
+
+'My dear, most kind friend,' she said, and her own voice was tremulous,
+'how can you use such an expression? _You_ grateful to us! Ah, no
+indeed; as long as we live we shall be at a loss how to show our
+gratitude to you.'
+
+'Yes indeed,' said Colonel Mildmay. 'I do not know how to express my
+appreciation of all your goodness. I'----
+
+'Then you consent,' exclaimed Lady Myrtle, her bright eyes sparkling.
+'You will be my children; you will let me feel that my lonely life is to
+have some joy before its close.'
+
+'Indeed, indeed, all we _can_ do, we shall,' said Colonel Mildmay very
+gently. 'You cannot ask more affection than we are most ready to give.
+But'----He hesitated, and the look of eager satisfaction faded out of
+the old lady's face.
+
+'But!' she repeated sharply. 'What "buts" can there be in so simple a
+matter?'
+
+It was a distressing position. Colonel Mildmay, essentially a
+kind-hearted man and most averse to giving pain, felt it acutely. But he
+was not one to temporise. It was a case demanding the plainest speaking.
+
+'My dear Lady Myrtle,' he said, 'if I am blunt or rough, forgive me. It
+is just this. I cannot agree to what I think wrong, and I could never
+feel it right to agree to what you propose. I am still young enough and
+strong enough to work for my family in my profession, and the day I
+began to lead an idle, or even a comparatively idle life, would see me a
+miserable man. If you are so good as to continue your interest in my
+children--Jacinth especially--by asking them to visit you sometimes, we
+shall be _most_ grateful. If--if you like to leave Jacinth some little
+sum of money in your will which would help or increase any provision I
+can make for her, I would be foolish and ungracious in the extreme to
+object. But more than this--no, my dear friend, no. For--and here I must
+crave your pardon beforehand for what must seem impertinence and
+intrusion--not only have we, we Mildmays, _no_ claim upon you,
+but--there are those who have.'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+A BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT.
+
+
+There was an awful pause. Such at least it seemed to poor Mrs Mildmay,
+who, now that she was not called upon to act for herself, and felt under
+the protection of her husband, dared to tremble! Then came Lady Myrtle's
+reply, short, cold, and decisive.
+
+'I deny it,' she said.
+
+Colonel Mildmay did not speak.
+
+The old lady glanced at him. His eyes were fixed on the table beside
+which he was seated; he tapped it lightly with a paper-cutter which he
+held in his hand. And after a moment's waiting she spoke again.
+
+'I know what you refer to,' she said. 'It would be nonsense to pretend I
+do not. And I can--even--understand how to you it may seem that the
+claim you allude to exists. But, if you have talked together about
+these--these people, as no doubt you have done, has not Eugenia told you
+what I have told her, that on a certain day my father and I shook
+ourselves free from the bonds which had become shackles of shame; that
+from that time Bernard Harper and all belonging to him ceased to be more
+to us than any stranger we might brush against in the street?'
+
+Colonel Mildmay raised his head and looked at her quietly.
+
+'It could not be done; the bonds do exist and must exist,' he said. 'The
+great thing is that, however cruelly they may have torn and wounded you
+in the past, they may now be to you a cause of happiness and
+satisfaction.'
+
+But Lady Myrtle shook her head.
+
+'I will never acknowledge even the possibility of my recognising these
+descendants of my former brother as anything to me,' she said. And the
+quietness with which she spoke was very impressive. 'I have given them
+assistance because I believe them to be worthy people in sore need. I
+may even do so again if you tell me their need continues. But that is
+all. I should be false to my dead father if I did otherwise.
+
+'Still, the late Lord Elvedon--your father, I mean--looked forward to
+his _elder_ son's children being reinstated,' Colonel Mildmay ventured
+to say. 'Why then, in the actual circumstances of his _younger_
+grandchildren being to the full as worthy and in far greater need, why
+treat them so differently?'
+
+Lady Myrtle hesitated, for half a second only, but even that was
+something.
+
+'My father could not have contemplated the _possibility_ of Bernard's
+descendants being--of their wiping out his disgrace,' she said at last
+confusedly.
+
+'Exactly,' Colonel Mildmay replied quickly. 'And it was only natural.
+But as he did _not_ contemplate a state of things which has actually
+come to pass, how can his directions affect you with regard to these
+facts?'
+
+Lady Myrtle again shook her head. She had grown very pale, but otherwise
+she was completely self-controlled.
+
+'I cannot argue in that way. I do not even pretend to be logical,' she
+said. 'I can only repeat--so it is. So now you understand. If I did not
+leave that part of my property which I conscientiously believe to be at
+my own disposal to the one I have chosen--the child who it seemed to me
+had been sent to brighten in some measure the loneliness of my old age;'
+and here her firm clear voice trembled, 'then--my will must stand as it
+is, and all destined for Jacinth, and in a sense for you yourselves,
+shall go to the two hospitals I have selected as the most worthy of
+help. I will have no compromises, no half measures.'
+
+Colonel Mildmay bowed.
+
+'Then let it be so,' he said. 'It is certainly not for me to dictate to
+you, dear Lady Myrtle.'
+
+She seemed a little perplexed by his manner.
+
+'Why should I give in to you?' she said inconsequently. 'Why should I
+not leave my fortune to Jacinth all the same? Why do you take for
+granted that I shall not do so? should she be punished for your--your
+obstinacy and quixotry?' and in spite of herself a smile crept over the
+old lady's face.
+
+'I do not take it for granted,' said Colonel Mildmay. 'I know that you
+would not act towards Jacinth in such a way as to place her in
+opposition to her parents. I know that you respect our way of viewing
+the matter, however you may disagree with it.'
+
+Lady Myrtle seemed mollified.
+
+'You judge me rightly,' she said. 'If one feeling is stronger than
+another in me, it is respect for parental authority and influence. You
+are right. I would not so act to your child as to sow discord and
+disunion between her and those nearest and dearest to her after I am
+gone. But, let me ask you one thing--is your present decision quite
+irreversible?'
+
+Colonel Mildmay sat silent for a minute considering deeply.
+
+'Yes,' he said; 'I do not see any choice. I cannot take the London
+appointment--to live in reality, my dear lady, on your bounty. For that
+is what it would be. And even if such a position had been possible for
+me--and I confess I cannot conceive its being so--still less possible
+would it be now that you know our mind as to the ultimate disposal of
+things, and that we have been forced to thwart your more than generous,
+your unprecedented goodness to us.'
+
+'Then you will go to Barmettle?'
+
+Colonel Mildmay bent his head.
+
+'Ah well,' said Lady Myrtle, 'another dream vanished!'
+
+Mrs Mildmay started up at this.
+
+'Oh, dear Lady Myrtle, dear, dear friend,' she said, and the tears were
+in her eyes, 'don't speak like that. I cannot bear it. You say there can
+be no sort of compromise, but surely there can be of one kind; you will
+not, you cannot expect us to leave off looking to you and feeling to you
+as our best and dearest friend?'
+
+And she threw her arms round the old lady as Francie might have done,
+and was not repulsed.
+
+'You will let me have Jacinth sometimes?' whispered Lady Myrtle.
+
+'Of course, of course; whenever you like and as much as you like,' said
+Mrs Mildmay eagerly.
+
+'I will not be unreasonable,' the old lady said with one of the
+half-wistful smiles that were so touching. 'Even if--if everything had
+been going to be as I hoped, I would never have wished or expected
+anything which could have interfered with her home ties and duties. And
+I need scarcely say I will never come upon this subject that we have
+been discussing, with her. I will leave it entirely to you, her parents,
+to tell her what you think right, though I own I should like her to
+realise how I have been thinking of her.'
+
+[Illustration: 'Ah well!' said Lady Myrtle, 'another dream vanished!']
+
+'That she certainly shall,' exclaimed Mrs Mildmay impulsively. And
+though a moment afterwards she was tempted to murmur to herself 'at all
+costs,' she did not repent of her promise. 'It would not be fair to Lady
+Myrtle for Jacinth to be told nothing,' she reflected. 'And scarcely
+indeed fair to the child herself. For I cannot but believe she will see
+it all as we do.'
+
+So that afternoon Colonel Mildmay wrote to accept the appointment
+offered him up at gloomy, smoky Barmettle in the dreary north country.
+
+'I doubt if we have done much to forward the poor Harpers' cause,' said
+his wife as she watched him closing and sealing the big blue official
+envelope.
+
+'Very possibly not,' he replied calmly. 'But we have, I hope and
+believe, done _right_. And so we must not feel over much concern for the
+poor Harpers' future any more than for that of our own children, my dear
+Eugenia.'
+
+And though Mrs Mildmay agreed with him, she was human enough, and woman
+enough, to sigh a little at certain visions of what might have been,
+which _would_ intrude themselves!
+
+'But what,' she began again after a little pause, 'what are we to say to
+Jacinth?'
+
+It is to be confessed that Colonel Mildmay's reply was not quite so
+ready this time.
+
+'We must consider well about that,' he said. 'Of course we must tell her
+soon about Barmettle. It would not be treating her fairly, for she is a
+remarkably sensible girl, and has behaved excellently in rather
+difficult circumstances. Alison's little house and odd ways must have
+been somewhat trying after the liberal easy-going life at Stannesley. It
+would not be treating Jacinth as she deserves, not to take her into our
+confidence as to our plans.'
+
+'And the mere mention of Barmettle will lead on to the whole,' said Mrs
+Mildmay. 'Frank, you must help me to put it to her wisely. I fear,
+though very little has been said about it, that Jassie has an intense
+dislike to the idea of Barmettle; and I fear still more, that in spite
+of Lady Myrtle's good sense and extreme wish to cause no trouble, she
+has somehow or other allowed some hint of her intentions to escape her.'
+
+Colonel Mildmay looked very grave at this; graver than he had yet done.
+
+'Jacinth is extremely quick,' he said, 'and notwithstanding her quiet
+undemonstrative manner I suspect that she has a very lively imagination.
+But surely all she has got in her head is only childish; looking forward
+to long visits here and a continuance of Lady Myrtle's kindness? As
+regards Barmettle, I have no doubt she would prefer my taking the London
+appointment, but she is sensible; we only need to put it to her.'
+
+'I hope so,' said Mrs Mildmay with a sigh. 'But the whole is so
+complicated: she is prejudiced against the Harpers; just the opposite of
+Frances.'
+
+'That _is_ unfortunate,' said Colonel Mildmay. But after a moment's
+silence he spoke again more cheerfully. 'We must not spoil Jacinth,' he
+said. 'If she has been led to cherish any brilliant hopes, the sooner
+she gives them up the better. I shall be sorry for her disappointment,
+but I am sure she is not really selfish. If she sees that you and I are
+happier--infinitely happier--as things are, she will not take it to
+heart. And it may not be necessary to say much; not to enter into
+mercenary details, to a child like her.'
+
+'I hope so,' said Mrs Mildmay again. But again her sigh somewhat belied
+her words.
+
+The very next day brought the dreaded opportunity. Some little allusion
+was made to Colonel Mildmay's intention of running up to London again
+the following week.
+
+'Shall you have any commissions for me, Lady Myrtle?' he said lightly.
+
+The old lady shook her head, but without her usual smile.
+
+'I think not, Colonel Mildmay, thank you,' she said. 'I _had_ thought of
+asking you to see my agent about my house in Brook Street. The present
+tenant's lease expires nine months hence, and I must make up my mind
+what I am going to do.'
+
+'I fear I am not very _au fait_ of such matters,' he replied. 'But I
+could at least hear what the agent has to say more satisfactorily than
+by letter. So pray let me call; give me all your instructions. I should
+be more than delighted to be of any use, you must know,' he ended
+earnestly.
+
+Lady Myrtle seemed pleased.
+
+'Thank you,' she said. 'Well, yes then; I will tell you what I want to
+know.'
+
+This conversation took place at luncheon. That afternoon Jacinth sought
+her mother in her own room.
+
+'Mamma,' she said, 'are you busy? May I talk to you a little?'
+
+Mrs Mildmay laid down her pen.
+
+'I was writing to Marmy,' she said, 'but I have plenty of time. What is
+it, dear? I am glad to have a little quiet talk together. I have been
+wishing for it, too.'
+
+But Jacinth scarcely seemed to listen.
+
+'Mamma,' she began again, somewhat irrelevantly it might have seemed.
+'Brook Street isn't a _very_ grand part of London, is it? At least all
+the houses in it are not tremendously grand, are they? I was thinking
+about Lady Myrtle's house. Couldn't it be arranged for _us_ to be her
+tenants? I'm sure she would like it if she thought we would. Mightn't I
+say something about it to her? She likes me to say whatever I think of,
+but I thought--for such a thing as a _house_, perhaps I had better ask
+you first.'
+
+'But, my dearest child, we don't want any house in London,' said Mrs
+Mildmay with a smile which she strove to make unconstrained. 'You
+forget, dear, the choice was never between Barmettle and _London_, but
+between Barmettle and India again, and'----
+
+'But mamma,' interrupted Jacinth, 'please answer my question first. Is
+Brook Street very grand? Would a house there be out of the question for
+us, even if we--if we had one there for nothing?'
+
+'Yes; unless we had another thousand a year at least, we could not
+possibly live there on our income with any comfort or consistency,' Mrs
+Mildmay replied quietly.
+
+The girl's face fell.
+
+'A thousand a year! that's a good deal,' she said. 'I had thought'----
+
+'But why worry yourself about things that can never be, dear Jassie?'
+said her mother. 'We were going to tell you--even your Aunt Alison does
+not know yet--that it is all decided, and oh, I am so thankful that the
+long separation is over at last. Your father wrote yesterday to accept
+the Barmettle appointment.'
+
+Jacinth grew scarlet, then very, very pale.
+
+'Mamma,' she exclaimed, and the low repression in her tone was more
+unnatural--more alarming, I had almost said--in one so young, than any
+even violent ebullition of temper. 'Mamma, it _can't_ be true. You are
+saying it to tease me. You--you and papa would never have settled it
+without telling me, without consulting Lady Myrtle, after all her
+goodness?'
+
+'No,' replied Mrs Mildmay, arming herself for the contest by a resolute
+determination not to lose her self-control, however it might be tried;
+'no, though a little reflection would show you that you should have more
+trust in your parents, dear Jacinth; it was _not_ done without
+consulting our kind old friend. And however she may regret it, I _know_
+she respects your father's decision.'
+
+Jacinth looked up eagerly; a reaction of hope came over her.
+
+'Mamma,' she said breathlessly, 'believe me, I don't mean to be either
+disrespectful or distrustful, but did Lady Myrtle say nothing against
+it? Is she perhaps going to do so when--when she has thought everything
+over?'
+
+'She did say everything she could; she did use the strongest arguments
+she had: but she could not but see that your father's _motives_ were
+right, and so she saw it must be as he said,' replied Mrs Mildmay.
+
+A harder look crept over Jacinth's face; the eager, almost nervous,
+anxiety died out of it.
+
+'There is something about all this that I do not understand,' she said.
+'Unless you and papa mean to treat me as a baby, I think I have a right
+to know. I think Lady Myrtle would say so.'
+
+Mrs Mildmay felt much perplexed. Any approach to diplomacy, anything but
+perfect candour and frankness, was so foreign to her nature, that it was
+difficult for her not at once to speak out and explain the whole. But
+then, if she did so, she might be only sowing seeds of future
+bitterness. It was improbable, to say the least, that Jacinth had
+realised in any definite way Lady Myrtle's intentions with regard to
+her, seeing that the old lady had not announced them to her.
+
+'All she can know is only that Lady Myrtle meant to do _something_,'
+reflected Jacinth's mother. 'It would be for her happiness, and for that
+of us all, that she should never know more.'
+
+Jacinth saw the trouble in her mother's face.
+
+'Mamma,' she said, 'if you won't speak to me openly, I will ask Lady
+Myrtle herself.'
+
+Mrs Mildmay flushed.
+
+'Jassie,' she said quietly, 'you do not mean it, but your tone sounds
+almost like a threat--to me--to your mother?' And in spite of herself,
+her voice trembled a little.
+
+But still Jacinth repeated coldly, 'I think I have a right to know.'
+
+At that moment the door opened, and to Mrs Mildmay's immense relief her
+husband entered.
+
+'What is the matter?' he asked quickly. 'Am I interrupting you?'
+
+'On the contrary,' said his wife, 'I am very glad you have come. Jacinth
+is, as I half feared she would be, exceedingly upset by the news about
+Barmettle, and she seems to think we have not treated her with the
+confidence she deserves.'
+
+'You cannot feel that, when I tell you that my decision was only made
+yesterday,' said her father to Jacinth.
+
+'Yes. I think you might have--have consulted me a little before making
+it,' the girl replied. 'It is something to me personally; to have to
+live at a place like that now I am nearly grown up.'
+
+She seemed to be purposely emphasising the selfish part of her
+dissatisfaction out of a kind of reckless defiance.
+
+'Do you quite understand that it was a choice between this appointment
+and an indefinite return to India?' said Colonel Mildmay.
+
+'I understand that you think so. But I don't see it. There was the
+London thing. And even if not, I would rather have had India.'
+
+'No, no, Jassie, don't do yourself injustice,' exclaimed her mother.
+'Not when you think of the risk to your father's health.'
+
+Jacinth hesitated.
+
+'But there _was_ a choice,' she said; and now there was a touch of
+timidity in her voice.
+
+Colonel Mildmay considered; they were approaching the crucial point, and
+he took his resolution.
+
+'No, Jacinth,' he said. 'To my mind, as an honourable man, there was no
+choice. I should have forfeited for ever my own self-respect had I
+agreed to Lady Myrtle's proposal.'
+
+And then he rapidly, but clearly, put before her the substance of their
+old friend's intentions and wishes, and his reasons for refusing to fall
+in with them.
+
+'Lady Myrtle is too good a woman to sow discord in a family,' he said,
+'between a child and her parents. And it was impossible for us to
+approve of the apportionment of her property she proposed, knowing that
+there exist at this very time those who _have_ a claim on her, who most
+thoroughly deserve the restoration of what should have been theirs
+always; who have suffered, indeed, already only too severely for the sin
+and wrong-doing of another.'
+
+Jacinth started, and the lines of her face hardened again.
+
+'I thought it was that,' she exclaimed. 'Those people--they are at the
+bottom of it, then.'
+
+'Jacinth!' said her mother.
+
+'I beg your pardon, mamma,' said the girl quickly. 'It must sound very
+strange for me to speak like that; but, you don't know how I have been
+teased about these Harpers. And mamma, Lady Myrtle doesn't look upon
+them as you and papa do, so why should you expect me to do so? Do you
+suppose she will leave _them_ anything she would have left us--me?'
+
+'Very likely not,' said Colonel Mildmay.
+
+'Then for everybody's sake, why not have left things as Lady Myrtle
+meant? I--we, I mean,' and Jacinth's face crimsoned, 'could have been
+good to them; it would have been better for them in the end.'
+
+'Do you suppose they would have accepted help--money, to put it
+coarsely--from strangers?' said Colonel Mildmay. 'It is not _help_ they
+should have, but actual practical restoration of what should be theirs.
+And even supposing our decision does them no good, can't you see,
+Jacinth, that anything else would be _wrong_?'
+
+'No,' said Jacinth, 'I don't see it.'
+
+'Then I am sorry for you,' said her father coldly.
+
+'I know,' said Jacinth, 'that Lady Myrtle likes things one way or
+another. I suppose she will give us up altogether now. I suppose she
+will leave off caring anything about me. You think very badly of me,
+papa, I can see; you think me mercenary and selfish and everything
+horrid; but--it _wasn't_ only for myself, and it isn't only because of
+what she was doing for us, and meant to do for us. I have got to love
+Lady Myrtle very much, and I shall feel dreadfully the never seeing her
+any more, and--and'----
+
+Here, not altogether to her mother's distress, Jacinth broke down and
+began to sob bitterly. Mrs Mildmay got up from her seat, and came close
+to where the girl was sitting by the table.
+
+'My poor dear child,' she said, 'we have never thought you selfish in
+_that_ sort of way.'
+
+'No,' agreed her father; 'that you may believe. You have had of late too
+much responsibility thrown upon you, and it has given you the feeling
+that the whole fortunes of your family depended upon you in some sense.
+Be content to be a child a little longer, my Jacinth, and to trust your
+parents. And there is no need for you to anticipate any change with Lady
+Myrtle. She will care for you, and for us all, as much as ever--more
+perhaps; and as much time as it will be right for you to spend away from
+your own home, you shall have our heartiest consent to spending with
+her. If you can in any way give her pleasure--and I know you can--it
+will be the very least we can do in return for her really wonderful
+goodness to us.'
+
+'I should like to see her; to be with her sometimes,' said Jacinth,
+whose sobs had now calmed down into quiet crying. 'But I don't
+want--once we go away to that place--I don't want ever to see Robin
+Redbreast again. Ever since'--and here she had to stop a moment--'ever
+since that first day when we passed it with Uncle Marmy, I have had a
+sort of feeling to this house--a kind of presentiment. I can't bear to
+think of its going to strangers, or--or people that know nothing about
+Lady Myrtle. And very likely, if she leaves all she has to big hospitals
+or something like that, very likely this place will be sold.'
+
+'It may be so,' said Colonel Mildmay; and he added with a smile, 'I wish
+for your sake I were rich enough to buy it, my poor dear child.'
+
+So Jacinth's castles in the air were somewhat rudely destroyed. There
+was but one consolation to her. Lady Myrtle was even more loving than
+hitherto, though she said nothing about the collapse of her plans. For
+Mrs Mildmay gave her to understand that matters, so far as was fitting,
+had been explained to her elder daughter.
+
+'Humph!' said the old lady. 'That seals _my_ lips. For of course I
+cannot express disapproval of her parents to the child.'
+
+But her tenderness and marked affection went some way to soothe the
+smarting of the girl's sore feelings.
+
+'She understands me far better than papa and mamma do,' thought Jacinth.
+'If they meant me to see everything through their eyes, they shouldn't
+have left me away from them all these years.'
+
+Still a curious strain of pride in her father's stern honesty, in his
+utter disinterestedness, now and then mingled with her feelings of
+disappointment. She could not help feeling proud of him! Nevertheless
+the tears were many and bitter which Jacinth shed when the last night of
+their stay at Robin Redbreast came.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+TWO DEGREES OF HONESTY.
+
+
+Barmettle is not an attractive place; though like most places in this
+varied world it has its interests and even no doubt its charm for many
+of its inhabitants--its bright and happy homes, as well as its thousands
+of hard, if not overworked, pale-faced artisans, men and women, of many
+grades and classes.
+
+And the sun can shine there sometimes; and not so many miles from the
+very centre of the town, you can escape from the heavy pall of
+smoke-filled air, into fresh and picturesque country, whose beauties, to
+my thinking, strike one all the more vividly from the force of contrast
+with the ugliness and griminess which you cannot forget are so near.
+
+There had been some talk--when the Mildmay family first contemplated the
+pitching of their tent in this unknown land--there had been some talk of
+a house in the neighbourhood of the town, a few miles out, where a
+garden and a field or two would have been possible, to reconcile the
+children and their mother, to some extent, to the great change from all
+their former experiences. But Colonel Mildmay had been obliged to give
+up hopes of this. There were several difficulties in the way, and _the_
+house which sometimes at such crises turns up with such undeniable
+advantages as to over-ride the less immediate objections, had not
+offered itself. So, considering the inconvenience of scanty
+communication between the barracks and the 'pretty' side of the
+outskirts, the impossibility of day-school arrangements for Eugene, and
+a very certain amount of loneliness and isolation, especially in the
+winter months, the fairly desirable house in St Wilfred's Place which
+_did_ offer itself carried the day.
+
+It was but five minutes' walk from Colonel Mildmay's official quarters,
+and conveniently near Eugene's school; it was very much in the minds of
+the teachers who now replaced the Misses Scarlett's institution as
+regarded the girls; it was not duller as to outlook and surroundings
+than had to be at Barmettle, for it faced St Wilfred's Church, one of
+the oldest and most interesting structures in the modern town, which had
+once been a pleasant straggling north-country village; and last, though
+not least, its rent was moderate.
+
+And Mrs Mildmay, unspoilt by her long residence in the East--as full of
+energy and resources as when she arranged the drawing-rooms at
+Stannesley in her careless girlish days, and laughed merrily at her kind
+step-mother's old-fashioned notions--exerted herself to make the house
+as pretty as she possibly could.
+
+'I am glad it is cheap,' she said to her husband, 'for we can afford to
+spend rather more in making it comfortable and nice, especially for
+Jassie.'
+
+And Jacinth's room was all a girl could wish, and at night, when the
+outer world was shut off, and the dark square hall and wide quaint
+staircase, which had attracted the new tenants in their house-hunting,
+were lighted up, looking bright and cheerful with the crimson carpets
+and curtains which Barmettle smoke had not as yet had time to dull,
+Frances's expression of approval, 'Really it looks so nice that you
+might fancy it wasn't Barmettle at all,' could scarcely be contradicted.
+
+But Frances, like her mother, was born with the happy faculty for seeing
+the best side of things. It was all, naturally, much harder on Jacinth.
+And as Jacinth stood one morning in November looking out into the dreary
+street, where rain had been pouring down ever since daybreak, and was
+still dripping monotonously, she did feel that her lines had not of late
+fallen in pleasant places. Yet she was not so selfish as this sounds.
+She had made a struggle to see things as her parents did, and in this
+she had not been entirely unsuccessful, and the constant love and
+watchful sympathy which were now a part of her daily life, unconsciously
+influenced her in good and gentle ways which she scarcely realised.
+
+Some ground she had gained. She had come to see that if her father and
+mother felt about the Harper family as they did, they could not have
+acted otherwise. And her own conscience was not, it will be remembered,
+entirely clear. 'Of course,' she said to herself, 'if Lady Myrtle had
+been left to do as she wished, I should have felt it my duty to do
+something for the Harpers. I'm sure I should have found some way of
+managing it.' But no doubt there was a kind of relief in feeling it was
+taken out of her hands, for Jacinth was growing gradually less confident
+in her own powers: for the first time in her life she was realising the
+delight and privilege of having others wiser than herself to whom she
+could look up.
+
+'Mamma,' she said, on the morning in question, 'do you think there
+really are places where it rains ever so much more than at others? or is
+it only that we notice it more at some? I really could almost think
+that it rains here _every_ day.'
+
+Mrs Mildmay smiled.
+
+'No, dear, it really does not. I don't think the rainfall here is much
+greater than in London or at Thetford, but the heavy air and the
+grayness make us, as you say, notice it more. In many places where there
+actually is more rain than the average, the country is peculiarly bright
+and fresh. Think of the grass in Ireland.'
+
+But Jacinth's thoughts were already wandering elsewhere.
+
+'Mamma,' she began again, 'do you think we shall have to stay here for
+Christmas?'
+
+'I suppose so,' replied Mrs Mildmay. 'Even if Lady Myrtle wished it--as
+indeed I am sure she does--it would hardly be worth while for us to go
+to her for only two or three days, which is all the leave your father
+could get. And there are a good many things we have to see to here.'
+
+'Yes,' said Frances, 'there's the Christmas treat for the barracks
+children. It's never been properly done. And Miss Lettice Piers is going
+to invite us to their treat at St Wilfred's first, so that we may see.
+I'd like best to have our visits to Robin Redbreast in the summer,
+except that it must be rather dull for Lady Myrtle. She was so pleased
+to have us there last Christmas.'
+
+'I wish we could have her here,' said Mrs Mildmay. 'But she would never
+be allowed to come up north in the winter.'
+
+Jacinth sighed.
+
+'It seems a good while since we heard from Lady Myrtle,' she said. 'I
+hope she's not ill. I did think she would have _tried_ to get us there
+for Christmas.'
+
+'I don't think she can be ill,' said Mrs Mildmay, 'for your aunt would
+have known it. She goes to see Lady Myrtle regularly. I shall be hearing
+from Alison in a day or two, however.'
+
+'Jassie,' said Frances, a moment or two later, when their mother had
+left the room, 'I wish you wouldn't look so melancholy. Just think what
+a lot of nice things have come to us, as well as the sad ones. Just
+fancy how we should have been ready to jump out of our skins for joy if
+we had known, when we left Stannesley, how soon papa and mamma would be
+at home with us.'
+
+'I know,' said Jacinth. 'I do try to think of all that. But I do so
+dislike this gloomy place, Francie, and I think papa looks so fagged,
+and we have scarcely any friends we care for; the people are all so
+stupid, and so'----
+
+'So what?'
+
+'So rich,' said Jacinth, rather at a loss apparently what crime to lay
+at the doors of the good folk of the manufacturing town who had incurred
+her displeasure.
+
+Frances laughed.
+
+'That's not a sin,' she said. 'Lady Myrtle's rich, and so in a way, I
+suppose, is Uncle Marmy.'
+
+'I mean they seem to think of it so. Once or twice, when I've paid calls
+with mamma, they were so fussy and show-off. You know how I mean,' said
+Jacinth.
+
+'Well, there are plenty of poor too, if that would make you like
+Barmettle any better. Amy Piers says there are some dreadfully poor, and
+she says that even the ones who get very big wages don't save at all,
+and then if there comes a bad time--a bad time for trade, when some of
+the people have to be turned off: it does come like that now and then,
+she says, though I don't understand why--they are really starving.'
+
+'They should be taught to save, then,' said Jacinth. 'Why don't the
+Piers teach them? If I were the vicar, I'd preach sermons about it. If
+people are so silly, they must expect to suffer for it.'
+
+'But think of the poor little children!' said Frances, whose sympathy
+was readier than her sister's. 'It isn't _their_ fault, and they suffer
+the most. Amy says it's a good deal owing to the people spending so much
+on beer and brandy and horrid tipsifying things. I'm sure the Piers do
+all they possibly can, and you know how papa says that, even with all
+the strict rules in the army, it's awfully difficult to keep the men
+sober. If I were the Queen, Jass, I'd make a law against having so many
+public-houses; I would indeed.'
+
+'The Queen can't make laws all by herself like that, Frances. You don't
+understand. If the people were taught how horrid it is to get drunk,
+they'd leave off wanting to buy too much beer and things like that, and
+then the public-houses would have to give up because they wouldn't have
+customers enough. That's the best way.'
+
+'Well, I think it should be done both ways,' said Frances. 'If there
+weren't so many public-houses, there wouldn't be so much temptation;'
+and the little reformer nodded her head sagely.
+
+Just then Mrs Mildmay re-entered the room.
+
+'Jassie dear,' she said, 'it's Saturday morning. You have no lessons,
+and though it's so rainy I know you're not afraid of the weather.
+Frances has a cold, so she mustn't come out. Will you wrap yourself up
+well, and come a little way with me to help me to carry some things to
+Mrs Wake? She has gone to stay with her mother, you know, for a little
+change, but they are very poor people, and I must help them as much as I
+can.'
+
+Jacinth sprang to her feet eagerly.
+
+'Oh yes, mamma,' she exclaimed, 'I should like very much to come. I'll
+be ready directly. I'll put on a thick jacket and my waterproof cape
+over that.'
+
+And in a few minutes the mother and daughter were making their way, each
+laden with some parcels as well as the unavoidable umbrella, along the
+muddy pavement in the direction of a poorer part of the town. Mrs Wake
+was the wife of one of Colonel Mildmay's soldier servants; she happened
+to belong to a Barmettle family, which was just now very fortunate for
+her, as she had had a most serious illness in the barracks, and had
+lately been moved for greater quiet to her own old home.
+
+'Francie and I were just talking about the poor people here,' said
+Jacinth. 'Amy Piers tells her about them. I shall be very glad to see
+one of the homes they live in.'
+
+'It will be rather a good specimen, though they are very poor people,'
+said Mrs Mildmay; 'for they are thrifty and most respectable. But for
+many years the father has not been able to earn full wages, as he was
+crippled by an accident. Indeed, but for the kindness of the head of the
+factory where he worked, he would have been turned off altogether on a
+very small pension. It was true kindness to let him stay on to do what
+work he could, for it kept up his spirits.'
+
+'The master must be a good man,' said Jacinth.
+
+'I believe he is--one of the best in Barmettle,' said Mrs Mildmay. 'But
+here we are, Jassie,' and as she spoke she turned down a small passage,
+not wide enough to be called by a more important name, leading out of
+the already poor and narrow street they were in, and knocked at a door a
+few steps on.
+
+It was quickly opened. A rather gaunt and careworn, but clean and
+honest-looking, elderly woman stood before them. Her eyes were red with
+crying, but she welcomed Mrs Mildmay very civilly, though with a sort of
+reserve of manner which struck Jacinth as very different from the
+extremely hearty, though respectful, deference with which, as her
+grandmother's messenger, she used to be received by their own villagers
+at Stannesley.
+
+'You'll be come to ask for my daughter,' said the woman. She had been a
+domestic servant, and had but little north-country accent. 'You're
+welcome, I'm sure, and she'll take it kindly. Take a seat,' and she led
+them into the little kitchen, tidy and clean, though encumbered with
+some pieces of treasured furniture decidedly too big for it. 'Yes, she's
+fairly--th' doctor's main content.'
+
+'Oh,' said Mrs Mildmay, 'I am glad to hear it. I was afraid when I saw
+you'----But she stopped suddenly, for before she could say more the old
+woman had sunk into a chair, and, flinging her apron over her head, was
+giving way to bitter weeping. Jacinth felt both distressed and alarmed.
+Like her mother she had noticed the signs of tears on Mrs Burton's face.
+
+'I am so sorry,' said Mrs Mildmay, getting up as she said the words, and
+standing beside the woman, she gently laid her hand on her arm. 'Is it
+some new trouble--your husband?'
+
+'Nay, nay,' sobbed the poor thing. 'Burton is finely--for him, that's to
+say. But have ye not heard th' ill news?' and she raised her head in
+surprise. 'Th' measter,' and as she grew absorbed in what she had to
+tell, she fell back into the kind of talk she had accustomed herself to
+discard when with 'gentry.' 'He's gone!' and her sobs broke out again.
+
+'What! good Mr Fairfield,' said Mrs Mildmay. 'No, I had not heard it.
+What a loss he will be! Was it very sudden?'
+
+And Jacinth standing by, listened eagerly to all Mrs Burton told.
+
+He had been struck by paralysis--the kind friend of so many years--only
+two days before, and had never rallied. And the grief was widespread and
+deep. It would throw many into sorrow and anxiety too, the old woman
+said; for though he left two sons to succeed him, it remained to be seen
+if they would follow in his footsteps.
+
+'They will be very rich; they may not care to carry on the business, of
+course,' said Mrs Mildmay. 'No doubt Mr Fairfield has left a large
+fortune.'
+
+But Mrs Burton shook her head. It was far from the case. The business
+was doing well, as it deserved to do, but beyond its good prospects he
+left but little. And then she went on to explain why it was so; thus
+entering into the circumstances which had so specially endeared the dead
+man to his workpeople. A good many years ago, she related, when Mr
+Fairfield had first inherited the 'works,' a terrible accident had
+occurred, in which, with several others, Burton had suffered. The
+accident, though in those days such inquiries were less searching, had
+revealed a certain danger in a part of the machinery recently introduced
+at great expense, as a wonderful improvement. The danger was remote; it
+was perfectly possible no damage might ever again occur from the same
+cause; no pressure of any kind was put upon the master, no suggestion
+even, of change; his own workpeople would not have blamed him had he
+'let things be.' But such was not Mr Fairfield's way of viewing a
+master's responsibilities. He had almost all the machinery changed, for
+the one alteration he deemed absolutely necessary involved others. And
+the outlay had been something immense, especially as a run of bad years
+had followed it. And even when times improved again, and he began to
+feel his head above water, he never himself benefited by the profits as
+most would have done.
+
+''Twas always summat for his people, as he called 'em, bless him.
+Reading-rooms, or clubs, or schools. Year in, year out, 'twas his first
+thought and his last. What else was he there for? he'd say, mony's the
+time. Ah, well; he's gone where _his_ Master'll have good thought for
+_him_,' the old woman added quaintly, 'the master he served so faithful.
+For ye see, ma'am,' she went on, forgetting for the moment her grief in
+her earnestness, 'I take it as it's this way. There's honesty to God as
+well as honesty to men. None would 'a blamed Measter Fairfield if he'd
+let things be; no man could 'a done so. But he looked higher nor the
+judging o' men.'
+
+'Yes, truly,' Mrs Mildmay heartily agreed, 'that was the secret, Mrs
+Burton.'
+
+'But, oh dear, dear;' cried the poor woman, relapsing again into the
+tears which did her credit, 'it's mony a sore heart he'll leave behind
+him.'
+
+'Mamma,' said Jacinth softly and half timidly, when a quarter of an hour
+or so later they were wending their way home relieved of their packages,
+through the muddy streets--'mamma, do you know that what she said--old
+Mrs Burton, I mean--about the two kinds of honesty has helped to--to
+make me understand better than I did before what papa felt, and you too,
+of course, about--about Lady Myrtle and the Harpers, you know.'
+
+Mrs Mildmay, in spite of the rain and her umbrella, managed to give
+Jacinth's arm a little loving squeeze.
+
+'I am so glad, so very glad, dear,' she said.
+
+'Mamma,' said Jacinth, again, after a little silence, in a more assured
+voice this time, 'if papa had been in Mr Fairfield's place, he would
+have done just like him, wouldn't he?'
+
+'I am quite sure he would,' agreed her mother.
+
+And notwithstanding the cold and the rain and the grimness of
+everything, I think Jacinth felt happier that day than since they had
+come to Barmettle.
+
+A day or two later another little event helped to confirm Jacinth's
+better and truer views of her great disappointment. This was the arrival
+of a letter for Frances, forwarded from Thetford by their Aunt Alison.
+
+'A letter for me!' exclaimed the little girl, when at the
+breakfast-table her mother handed it to her. 'Whom can it be from? I
+hardly ever get any letters.' But as her eye fell on the address her
+face flushed and brightened.
+
+'Oh, I do believe,' she said, 'I do believe it's from Bessie--Bessie
+Harper. And of course she'd have to send it to Aunt Alison's; she
+doesn't know we've left Thetford.'
+
+'I'm not so sure of that,' said Mrs Mildmay. 'When I wrote to Mrs Lyle
+some time ago, I told her we were coming to Barmettle, but very likely
+she did not think of sending our address to her nieces, for they have
+not been in the habit of writing to you or Jacinth.'
+
+'No,' Frances replied, rather incoherently, for she was already buried
+in her letter, 'that's what she says. "Aunt Flora"--is that Mrs Lyle,
+mamma?--"Aunt Flora told us you had gone to live up in the north. I am
+afraid it can't be as bright and pretty there as at Thetford, but still
+it must be lovely to have your father and mother with you for always
+now. I think I can understand far better than ever what a very great
+trouble it must have been to you and your sister to be without them all
+those years, for oh, we did so miss father and mother when they were in
+London for six months, and then in Germany. They took Margaret with them
+to Germany, and it did her such a lot of good. I have wanted to write to
+you ever so often, and so has Camilla, but mother wasn't quite sure how
+we could say what we wished. But now she has had another letter from
+Aunt Flora, and this has made her give me leave to write and tell you
+all our beautiful news. Just fancy, dear Francie, father is _almost_
+quite well. Of course he will always be lame, but he counts that
+nothing, and it's really not so bad nearly as it was. All he had done at
+the London hospital and then the German baths has turned out _so well_,
+and now to make it--the cure, I mean--quite lasting, we are
+_all_--though I write it, I can scarcely believe it--going abroad to
+some mild place for the winter. We have not quite fixed where; but we
+have let Hedge End till next May, and we shall start very soon. If you
+write to me, please address it to Hedge End. And now I want to say
+something that is rather difficult to say. What has made everything come
+right has been the goodness of father's aunt, Lady Myrtle Goodacre. Just
+when we were almost in despair, and it seemed as if nothing _could_ save
+father, she sent mother a lot of money: she said it was a present, but
+_we_ all count it a loan. It was enough to do everything, and more than
+enough, and we can never, never thank her too much. But in our hearts we
+all feel sure that, though you kept exactly to what mother and Camilla
+asked, yet some of you, _somehow_, have been our good fairies. Perhaps
+it was your sister Jacinth, perhaps it was Mrs Mildmay; and I am sure,
+dear Francie, that if ever _you_ had a chance you spoke kindly of us;
+perhaps we shall never know exactly who did it, or how it was done, so
+wisely and carefully as it must have been. But oh, we _do_ thank you; if
+you could see the difference in everything about us now, how we are all
+as happy as the day's long, _you_ would all feel happy just to see it.
+Nearly every night, when we say our prayers, Margaret and I thank God
+for having sent you and Jacinth to be our school-fellows at Miss
+Scarlett's, and for the wonderful way things have come right."'
+
+Then followed a few details more interesting to Frances than of
+consequence in themselves, about the lessons Bessie and Margaret had
+been doing, and how well Camilla managed to teach them, and hopes that
+'some day' the former school-fellows might meet again; ending up with
+repetitions of the gratitude they felt _sure_ they owed to somebody, and
+'much love' from 'your affectionate friend, Elizabeth Vandeleur Harper.'
+
+'"Vandeleur" was Bessie's mother's name. She's very proud of it,' said
+Frances, gazing admiringly at the pretty writing. Then she looked up
+with glistening eyes. 'Mamma, Jass, isn't it _beautiful_? Isn't it
+lovely to think they're so much happier?'
+
+Mrs Mildmay's own face was nearly as bright as Francie's.
+
+'I cannot _tell_ you how glad and thankful I am,' she said. And she took
+hold gently of Jacinth's hand. 'Doesn't it seem to follow up what we
+were saying the other day after we had been at old Mrs Burton's?' she
+whispered.
+
+But Jacinth's face looked pale, and her eyes had tears in them.
+
+'Mamma,' she said, 'I suppose you thought I wouldn't have been nice
+about it, but I think you might have told me that you did get Lady
+Myrtle to do something to help the Harpers. I can see that Francie knew
+about it, and it is horrid to be in a way _thanked_ by them, when--when
+I have really been more a sort of enemy to them than a friend.'
+
+Mrs Mildmay had started a little at Jacinth's first words, for she had
+in fact forgotten, in the consciousness of increasing sympathy between
+her elder daughter and herself, how, at the time of her first appeal to
+Lady Myrtle, she had judged it wiser to say nothing about it to Jacinth.
+And now to her candid and naturally confiding nature this reticence gave
+her almost a guilty feeling. But as Jacinth went on speaking, her mother
+realised that she had done wisely.
+
+'Dear Jassie,' she said quietly, 'at that time I did think it better not
+to tell you that I had interfered. I wanted to avoid all possibilities
+of irritation till you got to know me better. And I did see that you
+were prejudiced to some extent. But now I feel quite differently about
+it, and I wish I had thought of telling you lately, though you must take
+my not having done so as a proof of my feeling at one with you. For till
+this minute I thought you did know. At least I forgot you did not. I
+will tell you exactly how it came about.' And she did so, adding rather
+sadly, as she concluded, 'And after all, dear, you see I was able to do
+very little. Lady Myrtle will _not_ think of them as her relations, and
+grateful though they are for this present help, of course it is not
+anything lasting; not what we would like to make sure of for their
+future.'
+
+'No,' Jacinth agreed, 'I understand how you mean. Still, it is a very
+good thing their father is so much better. I think they have a great
+deal to thank you for, mamma--you, and Francie too, in her way. I think
+they should know _I_ have not helped at all; it makes me feel
+almost--dishonest. If Francie writes to Bessie, couldn't she say
+something?'
+
+'Whatever she says about the matter at all must only be very slight and
+vague,' said Mrs Mildmay. 'And, Jassie dear, you _do_ feel kindly to
+them now?'
+
+'I want to feel whatever's right,' Jacinth replied, and her tone was
+wonderfully humble.
+
+'Then there is no need to enter into any explanations,' said Mrs
+Mildmay. 'It would only hurt poor Bessie if you made any sort of
+disclaimer of the friendliness they credit us all with. The only thing
+you could ever do might perhaps be'----She hesitated.
+
+'What, mamma?' asked Jacinth.
+
+'Some day,' said her mother, 'you _may_ have an opportunity of saying to
+Lady Myrtle that you think you were a little prejudiced against them.'
+
+'Yes,' Jacinth agreed, 'perhaps it would be right. For, you see, mamma,
+_she_ thought I avoided speaking of them because I did not want to annoy
+her, and I think I made myself believe that too. But now I see it wasn't
+only that. It was partly a--I feel ashamed to think of it--a sort of
+horrid jealousy, I am afraid, mamma.'
+
+And though she reddened as she made what to her was really a painful
+confession, Jacinth's heart felt lighter from that moment. There was now
+no shadow of misunderstanding between her mother and herself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+'I WILL THINK IT OVER.'
+
+
+The very faint hope which the Mildmays--Jacinth especially--had
+cherished that, after all, the coming Christmas might 'somehow' be spent
+by them and Lady Myrtle together, soon faded.
+
+There was no question of the old lady's coming north, though in one of
+her letters she spoke of the gladness with which she would have made the
+effort had it been possible; and there was even no question of their all
+joining her at Robin Redbreast, though but for a short visit, for in
+November the fiat went forth which each winter she had secretly for some
+years past been dreading--she must not remain in England. For her
+chronic bronchitis was on her again, and a premature taste of winter in
+the late autumn threatened for a week or two to turn this into something
+worse.
+
+'For myself,' she wrote, 'I would rather stay at home and take the risk,
+but I suppose it would be wrong, though really at my age I have little
+sympathy with that excessive clinging to life one sees where one would
+little expect it. But there is nothing to detain me here specially, and
+it may be that I shall benefit by the change. I want to choose one of
+the winter places I was so happy at more than once long ago, with _your_
+mother, when she and I travelled together with my parents.'
+
+For the letter was to Mrs Mildmay.
+
+And a fortnight or so later came another, which threw great excitement
+into the house in St Wilfred's Place, where the children were doing
+their best to give something of a festive and country look to the rather
+dark rooms with the help of plenty of holly and mistletoe, which had
+come in a Christmas hamper from Robin Redbreast, by Lady Myrtle's
+orders, though she was no longer there. For by this time it was
+Christmas Eve.
+
+This new letter was from abroad. The old lady was already settled in her
+winter quarters. Which of the many southern resorts she had chosen
+matters little, as it is no part of this simple story to describe
+continental towns or foreign travel. And in this particular case there
+would be little interest in either, seeing that these places are so well
+known nowadays to the mass of English folk of the well-to-do classes,
+that accounts of them are pretty sure to be monotonous repetitions. We
+will call the spot selected 'Basse.'
+
+Lady Myrtle wrote cheerfully. She was better, and she was enjoying, as
+old people learn to do, the chastened pleasure of recalling happy days
+in the scenes she was now revisiting.
+
+'It is all wonderfully little changed,' she wrote. 'I drive along the
+same roads, and walk slowly up and down the same terraces, where Lady
+Jacinth and I used to talk together by the hour in our light-hearted
+girlhood. I even fancy I recognise some of the shops we pass, for I am
+able to stroll about the quieter streets a little with the help of my
+good Clayton's arm. I have actually done a little shopping, the results
+of which will, I trust, please you, trifling as they are. I am sending
+off a little box by the Globe Express, which will, I hope, reach you by
+Christmas Day. And now, dear Eugenia, for the point of my letter. It is
+Clayton's idea; she burst out with it the other day when we were busy
+about this same shopping. "Oh, my lady, if only Miss Jacinth--Miss
+Mildmay I should say--were here it would be nice! She's just the young
+lady to enjoy the change and not mind the quiet life, and she _would_
+brighten you up." So will you spare her to me for the three or four
+months I shall be here? I hesitate to ask it; you will miss her so. But
+I am emboldened by the belief that it might be for the dear child's own
+good. She could have excellent lessons of any or every kind, and some
+amount of French talking, as I have a few old French friends in the
+neighbourhood, near enough to spend a day with now and then. Her father
+would bring her out, and, for my sake, I trust, not grudge the time and
+fatigue. The whole expenses you would surely let me defray? You cannot
+be hard-hearted enough to refuse _this_, dearest Eugenia.'
+
+Mrs Mildmay thought it over and talked it over with her husband: then
+they laid it before Jacinth herself, giving her indeed the letter itself
+to read. Jacinth's face crimsoned with pleasure and excitement, and her
+eyes glistened. But in a moment or two they grew dewy.
+
+'Oh, mamma,' she exclaimed, 'it would be delightful. But--I cannot bear
+to think of leaving you for so long.'
+
+These were sweet and grateful words to the mother's ears. But, as ever,
+she took the cheerful and sensible view of the matter. The separation
+would be but a short one, and it might really be of great advantage to
+Jacinth. Besides which--and this argument, I think, had the most weight
+with them all--was it not a duty to do what they could to please their
+dear old friend?
+
+So a favourable and grateful answer was sent without much delay, and
+before the new year was many days old, Jacinth and her father found
+themselves speeding across France as fast as the _train de luxe_ could
+take them, to join Lady Myrtle in her winter home.
+
+Jacinth enjoyed it all, and there was a considerable amount of freshness
+to her in the experience, though it was not entirely unknown ground.
+For, as a young child, she had spent some time in the south of France
+with her mother on her way to England, and she had once in later years
+passed a week or two in Paris with Uncle Marmy and 'Granny.' But the
+special place which Lady Myrtle had chosen was quite new to her, and it
+had its own peculiar beauties and attractions.
+
+'Tell mamma,' she said to her father the morning before he was to leave,
+'tell dear mamma and Francie that I am as happy as I can be anywhere
+away from them. And I will work really hard at French and music, so that
+I may be able to help Francie with hers. And it will please mamma, won't
+it, papa, to hear how glad Lady Myrtle seems to have me?'
+
+'Yes, dear, I am sure it will,' said Colonel Mildmay cordially. 'I
+cannot help feeling, personally, great pleasure in having been able to
+do anything to gratify her. It was generous of her to give us the
+opportunity of doing so.'
+
+'She _is_ so generous,' said Jacinth warmly, 'so large hearted about
+everything, isn't she, papa?'
+
+'She is indeed,' her father agreed with a little sigh, 'about everything
+except _one_ thing. It is curious and sad to see how very deep down are
+her prepossessions on that subject. And I am the more hopeless about
+them, because there is really no personal vindictiveness, or even, I may
+say, prejudice mixed up with these convictions.'
+
+'It _is_ sad,' Jacinth agreed.
+
+The next morning saw Colonel Mildmay's departure for home.
+
+Then began for Jacinth a quiet, regular, but far from unenjoyable life.
+Lady Myrtle had already made inquiries about the best teachers, and such
+of these as undertook the special subjects the girl wished to give her
+time to were engaged for her. So several hours of each day were soon
+told off for lessons and preparation for them. As a rule, Lady Myrtle
+drove out in the afternoon, her young guest accompanying her, sometimes
+to pay calls to such of the visitors to the place as were old friends,
+or in some few cases new acquaintances of hers; sometimes out into the
+beautiful country in the neighbourhood, beautiful even in mid-winter,
+where the views were as varied as charming.
+
+And as a rule, between twelve and one o'clock, sometimes too in the
+afternoon if the old lady were not feeling well enough for a drive,
+Jacinth went for a brisk walk with Clayton as her duenna.
+
+It was during one of these walks that something most unexpected happened
+one day. Lady Myrtle had caught a slight cold and been forbidden to go
+out. It was a bright but somewhat treacherous day, for though the
+sunshine was warm there was a sharp, almost icy, 'under air' painfully
+perceptible in the shade.
+
+'I feel roasted and frozen at once; don't you, Clayton?' said Jacinth
+laughingly, as they crossed the road to get into the warmth, such as it
+was, again.
+
+'Yes, indeed, Miss Mildmay,' the maid agreed. 'It's a day when you need
+both a parasol and a muff together. For there is such a glare.'
+
+A glare there was, truly. Snow had been falling now and then during the
+last day or two, and though but in light and short showers, the ground
+was sufficiently frozen for it to 'lie;' so that the sunshine, not
+powerful enough to melt it, save here and there very superficially, was
+reflected from the gleaming surface with extraordinary brilliancy.
+
+'We really should have snow spectacles,' Jacinth was saying, when a
+sudden shock made her aware that in her dazzled state she had run foul
+of some one or something standing on the pathway just in front of her.
+
+'I beg your pardon,' she exclaimed instinctively, and the stranger
+turning sharply--for she had been looking in the forward
+direction--almost at the same moment made the same apology, adding
+quickly, when she heard Jacinth's English voice, 'I should not be
+blocking up the'----But her sentence was never completed. 'Oh, can it be
+you? Jacinth--Jacinth Mildmay? Is Frances here? Oh, how
+delightful.--Camilla,' as an older girl came across the road in her
+direction, 'Camilla, just fancy--this is Jacinth. I can scarcely believe
+it,' and before Jacinth had had time to say a word, she felt two
+clinging arms thrown round her neck, and kisses pressed on her burning
+cheeks, by the sweet, loving lips of Bessie Harper.
+
+The blood had rushed to Jacinth's face in a torrent, and for a moment
+she almost gasped for breath.
+
+'Bessie, Bessie dear, you are such a whirlwind. You have startled Miss
+Mildmay terribly.'
+
+'I am so sorry,' said Bessie penitently, and then at last Jacinth was
+able to answer the girl's inquiries, and explain how it had come about
+that she alone of her family was here so far from home.
+
+'And are _you_ all here?' she asked in return.
+
+'Yes,' Miss Harper answered, 'all of us except my eldest brother. The
+two others are here temporarily; the little one who is going into the
+navy got his Christmas holidays, and the other has his long leave just
+now. And my father is so wonderfully better; you heard, you saw Bessie's
+letter to Frances?' and Camilla's face grew rosy in its turn.
+
+'Oh yes,' Jacinth replied. 'We were very, very glad. Frances wrote
+almost at once.'
+
+Bessie shook her head.
+
+'I never got the letter,' she said; 'but we have missed several, I am
+afraid. We have been moving about so. Cannot you come to see us,
+Jacinth? Mother, and father too, would love to see you. We are living a
+little way out in the country at the village of St Remi; we have got a
+dear little house there. Camilla and I came in for shopping this
+morning. Couldn't you come back with us to luncheon? We could bring you
+home this afternoon, and your maid would take back word to--to Lady
+Myrtle Goodacre.'
+
+'I am afraid I cannot,' said Jacinth, with some constraint in her voice.
+'I never go out anywhere without asking Lady Myrtle's leave.'
+
+'Of course not,' Camilla interposed. 'It would not do at all. You must
+do as you think best, Miss Mildmay, about getting permission to come to
+see us. I beg you to believe that, if you think it better not to ask
+it,' she spoke in a lowered tone, so as to be unheard by Clayton, 'we
+shall neither blame you nor misunderstand you. And now, perhaps, we had
+best not keep you waiting longer.'
+
+She held out her hand with the same quiet friendliness as appeared in
+her words; not perhaps _quite_ without a touch of dignity almost
+approaching to _hauteur_ in the pose of her pretty head as she gave the
+unasked assurance. Jacinth thanked her--what else could she do?--feeling
+curiously small. There was something refreshing in the parting hug
+which Bessie bestowed upon her, ere they separated to follow their
+respective roads, but Jacinth was very silent all the way home.
+
+'Nice young ladies,' remarked Clayton. 'They are old friends of yours,
+Miss Jacinth, no doubt?'
+
+'The younger one was at school with my sister and me,' the girl replied,
+for Clayton's position as a very old and valued servant removed all
+flavour of freedom or presumingness from her observations. 'But I
+scarcely know the older one.'
+
+And for the rest of the way home she was unusually silent. Her mind was
+hard at work. Jacinth was passing through a crisis. Should she tell Lady
+Myrtle of the Harpers being in the near neighbourhood, or should she
+not? There was no obligation upon her to do so; their name had not been
+alluded to, even if Clayton should mention to her mistress the meeting
+with the young ladies, nothing would be easier than for Jacinth to pass
+it off with some light remark. And with the temptation to act this
+negatively unfriendly part awoke again the sort of jealous irritation at
+the whole position, which she believed herself to have quite overcome.
+
+'They perfectly haunt us,' she said to herself: 'why in the world should
+they have chosen Basse out of all the quantity of places there are? And
+to think'--this was a very ugly thought--'that but for mamma they
+wouldn't have been able to come abroad at all! Why should they spoil my
+little happy time with Lady Myrtle? And very likely no good would come
+to them of my telling her that they are here. She would be sure to
+refuse to see them.'
+
+But what if it were so? Did that affect her own present duty?
+
+'It might annoy Lady Myrtle,' whispered an insidious voice; but had not
+Mrs Mildmay risked far more in her outspoken appeal, when still almost a
+stranger to her mother's friend? Would not the concealment of so simple
+a circumstance as her meeting the Harper girls be more than negative
+unfriendliness? would it not savour of want of candour and selfish
+calculation, such as in after years Jacinth would blush to remember? And
+again there sounded in her ears the old north-country woman's quaint
+words: 'It do seem to me, ma'am, as there's two kinds of honesty.'
+
+And Jacinth lifted her head and took her resolution.
+
+That afternoon there was to be no drive, as the old lady had caught a
+slight cold. And after luncheon Jacinth came and sat beside her in her
+favourite position, a low stool beside Lady Myrtle's chair, whence she
+could rest one elbow on her friend's knee and look up into her kind old
+face with the strangely familiar dark eyes, which were dearer to Robin
+Redbreast's owner than even the girl herself suspected.
+
+'I want to talk to you, dear Lady Myrtle,' she began. 'I want to tell
+you whom I met this morning,' and she related simply what had occurred.
+
+The old lady started a little as Jacinth spoke the names 'Camilla and
+Bessie Harper.' But then she answered quietly: 'It was right of you to
+tell me, dear,' she said. 'And you need not fear its annoying me. It is
+strange that they should have chosen Basse, but really it does not
+matter to us in the least. I am very glad the father is so much better.
+Now let us talk of something else, dear.'
+
+Now came the hard bit of Jacinth's task.
+
+'Dear Lady Myrtle, that isn't all; it's only the first part of what I
+have to say,' she began tremulously. 'I want to tell you _everything_,
+more even than I told mamma, for till to-day I don't think I saw it
+quite so plainly. I have not been as good and true as you have thought
+me; nothing like Frances, or mamma, of course. And I feel now that you
+must know the worst of me. I shall never be happy till you do, even
+though it is horrible to own how mean I have been.'
+
+Lady Myrtle sat silent, too bewildered at first to speak. What had come
+to Jacinth, so quiet and self-controlled as she usually was? But she
+held the girl's hand and said gently, 'Tell me anything that is on your
+mind, dear child, though I think--I cannot help thinking--that you are
+exaggerating whatever it is that you think you have done wrong.'
+
+Then out it all came: the confession that many would hardly have
+understood--would have called morbid and fanciful, perhaps. But Lady
+Myrtle's perceptions were keen, her moral ideal very high, her sympathy
+great; and she did not make the mistake of crushing back the girl's
+confidence by making light of the feelings and even actions which
+Jacinth's own conscience told her had been wrong. One thing only she
+could not resist suggesting as a touch of comfort.
+
+'I think, latterly at any rate, dear, you _were_ influenced by the fear
+of troubling me. You must allow that.'
+
+'Well, yes,' Jacinth agreed. 'But even then I should not have let even
+that make me uncandid and--and--almost plotting against them.'
+
+'No, no, dear; don't say such things of yourself. And now you may put it
+quite out of your mind for ever. You have been only too severe on
+yourself. But try to understand one thing, dear; _no_ child could be to
+me what you are. Even--even if these young people had been in happy
+relations with me, as of course, but for past miseries, might have been
+the case, they would not have been _Jacinth_.'
+
+'No; I know it is for grandmother's sake you care for me so much more
+than I deserve,' said the girl, as she wiped away her tears, 'and even
+in that way I should not have been jealous. I did not know it was
+jealousy. I have never realised before that I could be jealous. But I
+cannot put it quite off my mind till you let me feel I have done
+something to make up. Lady Myrtle, dear Lady Myrtle, _may_ I ask them to
+come to see you? I know they are longing to thank you. And oh, it would
+make me so happy!'
+
+'I will think it over, my dear,' was all Lady Myrtle would commit
+herself to. But even that was something.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+UNCLE MARMY'S GATES.
+
+
+When people really and thoroughly want to do right, and do not content
+themselves by _saying_ they want to do so, I doubt if they are ever for
+long left in perplexity. Jacinth Mildmay had found it so. She had
+courageously dismissed all the specious arguments about 'troubling Lady
+Myrtle,' 'not going out of her way to dictate to her elders,' or
+'interfering in their affairs,' and had simply and honestly done what
+her innermost conscience dictated. And now, as to how she was to act
+about and towards the Harpers, she was content to wait.
+
+But Lady Myrtle did not keep her very long in suspense. She too had put
+aside every consideration but the one--what was her duty to the Harper
+family?--and she had found solid ground.
+
+'My dear Jacinth,' she said, the second morning after the unexpected
+meeting of the former school-fellows, 'I have decided that it would be
+unkind and ungracious to keep Captain and Mrs Harper and their children
+at arm's length, if--if it would be any satisfaction to them to see me,
+as they like to think I have been of help to them. So I intend to drive
+out to St Remi to call upon them.'
+
+Jacinth looked up with a bright smile.
+
+'I am so glad, Lady Myrtle,' she added impulsively; 'I do think you are
+so very good.'
+
+The old lady shook her head sadly.
+
+'My dear,' she said, 'the bitterest part of approaching the end of life
+is the realising how terribly, how overwhelmingly other than "good" one
+has been, and how little time remains in which to make amends. As
+regards one's self the recognising this is salutary; the more one feels
+it, the more thankful one should be. But it is about others: it is
+terrible to think of the harm one has done, the good one has left
+undone. If I had been more patient--more pitiful--more ready to make
+allowance for their strange weakness of character--with--with my poor
+brothers'----
+
+Her voice broke; the last words were almost inaudible: it was very
+wonderful for her to say so much. And a new ray of light seemed to flash
+on Jacinth's path as she listened. If such a thing were possible, if it
+could come to pass that Lady Myrtle should reinstate her nephew and his
+family in their natural place in her affection and regard, what
+happiness, what softening of past sorrows might such a change not bring
+to the sorely tried heart of her old friend. And a rush of unselfish
+enthusiasm came over the young girl.
+
+'Anything _I_ can do to further it, I shall do,' she determined, and at
+that moment died away the last fast-withering remains of jealousy in her
+heart that the Harpers might in any way replace her in Lady Myrtle's
+regard.
+
+It seemed like an encouragement--an endorsement of this secretly
+registered vow--when Lady Myrtle spoke again.
+
+'Does it make you happy, dear child, to hear what I have resolved to do?
+I hope so; for your feelings, your self-blame so honestly avowed,
+though I think you exaggerate the need of it, have helped to influence
+me. I know how bitter such self-blame may grow to be, and my darling
+Jacinth, I want to feel, when I come to die, that at least I have
+brought nothing but good into _your_ young life.'
+
+'Dear Lady Myrtle,' said Jacinth, 'what you tell me makes me happier
+than I can express; far, far happier than I have deserved to be.'
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+They went the next day. Lady Myrtle's cold was better, and for the
+season, the weather was wonderfully mild. Jacinth had hesitated about
+accompanying her old friend, but Lady Myrtle insisted upon her doing so.
+
+'It will make it far easier and less constrained for me,' she said, 'and
+considering everything it seems to me only natural.'
+
+They had luncheon early, and set off immediately after. Less than half
+an hour's drive brought them to the picturesque little village, which
+was in fact scarcely more than a suburb of the town of Basse.
+
+'Villa Malmaison' was the direction, and soon the coachman drew up at a
+gate opening on to the road, for there was no drive up to the house. The
+footman was preparing to enter, but when he came round for his
+instructions, Lady Myrtle stopped him.
+
+'No,' she said, 'you can wait here. We will get out at once.--I have a
+fancy,' she said to Jacinth, 'for going straight up to the house without
+being announced.'
+
+It was a small and simple place; a balcony ran round the ground floor,
+and there in a long chair--a deck chair--a gentleman was half lying,
+half sitting, for the day was mild, and the house had a south exposure.
+At the sound of their slow footsteps--for Lady Myrtle was feebler than
+of yore--he looked up, then rose courteously, and came forward to meet
+them. He was a tall thin man with gray hair, and with evident traces of
+delicate health and suffering upon him, and he walked lame. But his
+smile was both bright and sweet; his keen dark eyes not unlike Lady
+Myrtle's own.
+
+'Can I'----he began, for the first instant's glance revealed to him that
+the new-comers were English, but a sort of exclamation from Lady Myrtle
+arrested him.
+
+'Jacinth,' she had just whispered, and for a second she leant so heavily
+on the girl's arm that Jacinth feared she was going to faint, 'it must
+be he--my nephew--he is so, so _wonderfully_ like my father.'
+
+And before Jacinth could reply, the old lady straightened herself again,
+and drawing her arm away from her young guide, seemed to hurry forward
+with a little cry.
+
+'Are you Reginald?' she said. 'My nephew? You must be. Oh Reginald, I am
+your old Aunt Myrtle.'
+
+And then--all the plans and formalities were set at naught. The two tall
+figures enfolded each other in an embrace like that of an aged mother
+and a long absent son.
+
+'Aunt Myrtle, my dear aunt!' Jacinth heard the kind, cheery voice
+exclaim, though in accents broken by sudden emotion. 'You who have been
+so good to us, to whom I owe my life. But this--this coming yourself is
+the kindest of all.'
+
+Then Jacinth turned and fled--fled down a path leading somewhere or
+nowhere, till she found herself at the other side of the house, and ran
+full tilt against Bessie, who was coming out to see what was happening.
+For sounds carried far in the clear frosty air, and visitors were an
+event at the little St Remi villa.
+
+'Jacinth,' she exclaimed, catching hold of the flying girl, 'what is
+it?'
+
+'Oh Bessie, it's everything--everything beautiful and wonderful. But we
+mustn't interrupt them. Take me into the house and call Camilla and your
+mother, and I'll explain it all.'
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+That was the beginning, but by no means the end. Far from it indeed. For
+even if Jacinth lives to be a very old woman, I think she will always
+look back upon the next few weeks at Basse--the weeks before the Harpers
+returned to England, which they did before the doctors considered it
+quite safe for Lady Myrtle to face the northern spring--as among the
+happiest she ever knew. There were several reasons for this. There was
+the great and unselfish pleasure of seeing the quiet restful content on
+her dear old friend's face, and knowing that in some measure she had
+been the means of bringing it there; there was the delight of writing
+home with the news of the happy state of things that had come about, and
+receiving her full meed of sympathy and appreciation from her father and
+mother and faithful little Frances; and lastly, there was the, to
+Jacinth, really new pleasure of thoroughly congenial companionship of
+her own age. For at school her habit of reserve and self-dependence had
+come in the way of her making friends, and she was so accustomed to
+taking the lead and being the elder, that she was slow to enter into the
+give and take on more or less equal ground that is an essential
+condition of pleasant and profitable intercourse between the young.
+
+And her ideal friend--much as she learned to love and esteem hearty
+generous Bessie and gentle little Margaret--Jacinth's friend of friends
+came to be Camilla, whose two or three years' seniority seemed only to
+bring them closer, for Jacinth was in many ways 'old for her age.'
+
+Yes, it was a happy time, even though now and then some twinges of
+self-reproach made Jacinth feel how little she had at one time merited
+the loving confidence with which her new friends treated her.
+
+'But that you must bear, my dear,' said Lady Myrtle, when on one or two
+occasions this feeling grew so acute that she had to express it to some
+one. 'Take it as your punishment if you think you deserve it. For it
+would be cruel to distress these candid, unselfish girls by confessions
+of ill-will or prejudice which no longer exist. For my sake, dear
+Jacinth, for my sake too, try now to "let the dead past bury its dead."'
+
+And the girl did so.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Some happy years followed this good beginning. Years not untouched by
+trouble and trials, but with an undercurrent of good. Barmettle never
+became a congenial home, but Jacinth as she grew older lost her extreme
+dislike to it, in the happiness of being all together, and knowing that
+not only was her father satisfied with his work, but that many
+opportunities for helping others were open to herself and Frances, as
+well as to their active unselfish mother.
+
+And bright holidays with Lady Myrtle, when old Robin Redbreast stretched
+his wings in some wonderful way so as to take in his kind owner's
+grand-nephews and nieces as well as the Mildmay party, went far to
+reconcile Jacinth and Frances to the gloom and chill of their home in
+the north.
+
+Perhaps Christmas was the most trying time. For a merry family party
+would have been something to look forward to at that season. But the
+dear old lady, alas! had spent her last Christmas in England that
+year--that first year at Thetford--when Jacinth and Frances and Eugene
+were her guests. For her health grew more and more fragile, and every
+season her time at Robin Redbreast had to be cut shorter and shorter,
+till at length barely six months of the twelve could be spent by her in
+England.
+
+Most winters Jacinth spent some part of with her at Basse, and sometimes
+Camilla or Bessie replaced her. One year the whole Mildmay family joined
+her for two months. So there were many pleasant mitigations of her
+enforced banishment, though it gradually became impossible for those who
+had learned to love her so dearly to blind themselves to the fact that
+the gentle old woman was not far from the end of her chequered and at
+one time lonely life.
+
+And one day in the early spring-time, when the sunshine was already warm
+and the sky already deeply blue in the genial south, when the snowdrops
+were raising their pretty timid heads in the garden at Robin Redbreast,
+and the birds were beginning to hope that the winter was over and gone,
+Lady Myrtle died. There was no one with her at the time. Captain Harper
+had left her but the week before, and Jacinth Mildmay was to have joined
+her a few days later.
+
+'If I could but have been with her, mamma,' said the girl among her
+tears.
+
+But perhaps it was better not. To some natures the sorrow of others is
+very hard to see, and I think Lady Myrtle was one of those. Jacinth was
+nineteen at the time of her old friend's death. Two years of Colonel
+Mildmay's time at Barmettle had yet to expire.
+
+'We shall miss our summers at Robin Redbreast sadly, mamma, shall we
+not?' she said one day. 'What is to be done about it? Is it to be sold,
+or are the Harpers to have it? I hope so. Does papa know?'
+
+'He has only heard about it recently,' said her mother. 'He and Captain
+Harper are Lady Myrtle's executors, but there has been a good deal of
+trouble and delay, for owing to her death having taken place abroad,
+some difficulties occurred about proving the will. But now I believe all
+is right, and your father is going to tell you about it.'
+
+At that moment the door opened and Colonel Mildmay came in. He glanced
+at his wife with a half-inquiry in his eyes when he saw that she and his
+daughter were talking seriously.
+
+'Yes,' replied Mrs Mildmay to his unspoken question, 'I was just saying
+to Jacinth that you were going to explain to her about our dear old
+friend's disposal of things.'
+
+'I happened to ask mamma if the Harpers were going to live at Robin
+Redbreast,' said Jacinth. 'Somehow I hadn't thought about it before.'
+
+'It must have been a "brain wave,"' said her father, 'for only this
+morning I decided to have a talk with you about it.'
+
+Jacinth looked up with a slight feeling of apprehension. Colonel
+Mildmay's tone was very grave. But she had no reason for misgiving: she
+knew she had never--since her eyes had been awakened to the prejudice
+and jealousy she was in danger of yielding to--never felt or expressed
+anything but sincere esteem and affection for Lady Myrtle's relations.
+
+'I don't want to hear anything in particular, papa,' she said gently,
+'but just as you like, of course. It was only,' and her voice faltered a
+little, 'the associations with Robin Redbreast. We have been so happy
+there: I shouldn't like strangers to have it.'
+
+'Strangers are not going to have it,' Colonel Mildmay replied. 'But it
+is not left to the Harpers. They did not wish it. They have no special
+liking for that neighbourhood, and it suits them far better to make
+their headquarters farther south. But I know you will be glad to hear,
+Jacinth, that their aunt has left them a most fair and equitable
+proportion of the property at her disposal. They have no cause for
+future anxiety at all. Captain Harper is more than satisfied; he had
+expected nothing of the kind, and I perfectly believe that if, as he
+says, "just a little token of her restored goodwill" had been all that
+was to come to them, he would have been content. I never met with more
+truly unworldly and unselfish people.'
+
+He stopped for a moment.
+
+'I am so glad, so very glad,' said Jacinth.
+
+'And the Elvedons too are very grateful,' continued her father, 'for
+besides what they knew was to be theirs, she has left them her town
+house--a much better one than they have had hitherto. Then her favourite
+charities have no reason to complain; she has forgotten nothing and no
+one'----
+
+Again he hesitated, and for some undefined reason Jacinth's heart began
+to beat faster.
+
+'And Robin Redbreast, my dear child; Robin Redbreast is--is to be
+yours.'
+
+'Oh, papa,' exclaimed the girl with a curious choking sensation. 'Oh,
+papa; is it right? Do you and mamma think it is?'
+
+'Yes, dear. I think it is right. It is depriving no one of anything they
+had a claim upon. For Lady Myrtle had considerable savings: some part of
+those she surely had every right to leave as her own feelings prompted.
+Some of the land is to be sold; just enough kept to make the little
+place complete of its kind and not too expensive to manage. Enough money
+will be yours--or ours--Lady Myrtle wished it to be considered our home
+in the meantime, anyway, and she has managed all so that, if or when you
+marry, a certain separation of income can be easily made--for real
+comfort without extravagance or display. And some of her private
+charities she has left in your hands, trusting to your good judgment and
+unselfishness. All has been excellently thought over and wisely
+arranged.'
+
+'Oh, papa; oh, mamma!' was still all that Jacinth could say. But after a
+moment or two she asked the question which she had so much at heart,
+'Shall we all go to live there?'
+
+'Part of the year certainly. And when my time here is out--you will be
+of age by then, Jass--perhaps I may feel that the day for taking it
+easier has come, and I may get some less onerous post nearer Thetford.
+But there is time enough for these details. Now run and tell Francie. I
+know you are longing to do so.'
+
+So the curious prevision of the future which had come over them all at
+'Uncle Marmy's gates' was actually fulfilled. And kind Uncle Marmy
+himself came home before very long to find it so.
+
+There is talk of his leaving off soldiering--he has seen some active
+service in the East of late--and taking up his abode in his own home at
+Stannesley. For he has been economical to some purpose. And Jacinth, who
+still builds castles in the air in her quiet way, has one under
+construction on the completed roof of which a flag _may_ fly some day.
+It is that the very nicest and most entirely delightful wife Marmaduke
+Denison could possibly find, were he to search all the four quarters of
+the globe, would be Camilla Harper.
+
+THE END.
+
+Edinburgh:
+Printed by W. & R. Chambers, Limited.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Robin Redbreast, by Mary Louisa Molesworth
+
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