diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28566-8.txt | 8766 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28566-8.zip | bin | 0 -> 156825 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28566-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 408365 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28566-h/28566-h.htm | 12567 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28566-h/images/img-132.jpg | bin | 0 -> 45553 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28566-h/images/img-148.jpg | bin | 0 -> 39899 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28566-h/images/img-284.jpg | bin | 0 -> 37351 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28566-h/images/img-cover.jpg | bin | 0 -> 85336 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28566-h/images/img-front.jpg | bin | 0 -> 38373 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28566.txt | 8766 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 28566.zip | bin | 0 -> 156793 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 |
14 files changed, 30115 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/28566-8.txt b/28566-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2a16fc6 --- /dev/null +++ b/28566-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8766 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Hollyhock, by L. T. Meade + +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: Hollyhock + A Spirit of Mischief + +Author: L. T. Meade + +Illustrator: W. Rainey + +Release Date: April 12, 2009 [EBook #28566] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOLLYHOCK *** + + + + +Produced by Al Haines + + + + + + + + + + +[Illustration: Cover art] + + + + + +[Frontispiece: Sprang out over the awful chasm.] + + + + + + +HOLLYHOCK + +A SPIRIT OF MISCHIEF + + +BY + +L. T. MEADE + + +AUTHOR OF 'BEVY OF GIRLS,' 'REBEL OF THE SCHOOL,' ETC. + + + +ILLUSTRATED + +by + +W. Rainey + + + + + +LONDON: 38 Soho Square, W. + +W. & R. CHAMBERS, LIMITED + +EDINBURGH: 338 High Street + +1916 + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER + + I. THE CHILDREN OF THE UPPER GLEN + II. AUNT AGNES + III. AUNT AGNES'S WAY + IV. THE PALACE OF THE KINGS + V. THE EARLY BIRD + VI. THE HEAD-MISTRESS + VII. THE OPENING OF THE GREAT SCHOOL + VIII. HOLLYHOCK LEFT IN THE COLD + IX. THE WOMAN WHO INTERFERED + X. A MISERABLE GIRL + XI. SOFT AND LOW + XII. UNDER PROTEST + XIII. THE SUMMER PARLOUR + XIV. THE FIRE THAT WILL NOT LIGHT + XV. CREAM + XVI. THE GIRL WITH THE WAYWARD HEART + XVII. THE GREAT CONSPIRACY + XVIII. LEUCHA'S TERROR + XIX. JASMINE'S RESOLVE + XX. MEG'S CONSCIENCE + XXI. THERE IS NO WAY OUT + XXII. THE END OF LOVE + XXIII. THE GREAT CHARADE + XXIV. THE WARM HEART ROUSED AT LAST + XXV. THE FIRE SPIRITS + XXVI. HOLLYHOCK'S DEED OF VALOUR + XXVII. ARDSHIEL TO THE RESCUE + XXVIII. WHAT LOVE CAN DO + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS + + +Sprang out over the awful chasm . . . . . . _Frontispiece_ + +'It's here on moonlight nights that the ghost walks.' + +The Conspiracy + +The Rescue. + + + + +Hollyhock, a Spirit of Mischief. + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE CHILDREN OF THE UPPER GLEN. + +There was, of course, the Lower Glen, which consisted of boggy places +and endless mists in winter, and a small uninteresting village, where +the barest necessaries of life could be bought, and where the folks +were all of the humbler class, well-meaning, hard-working, but, alas! +poor of the poor. When all was said and done, the Lower Glen was a +poor place, meant for poor people. + +Very different was the Upper Glen. It was beyond doubt a most +beautiful region, and as Edinburgh and Glasgow were only some fifty +miles away, in these days of motor-cars it was easy to drive there for +the good things of life. The Glen was sheltered from the worst storms +by vast mountains, and was in itself both broad and flat, with a great +inrush of fresh air, a mighty river, and three lakes of various sizes. +So beautiful was it, so delightful were its soft and yet at times keen +breezes, that it might have been called 'The Home of Health.' But no +one thought of giving the Glen this title, for the simple reason that +no one thought of health in the Glen; every one was enjoying that +blessed privilege to the utmost. + +At the time when this story opens, two families lived in the Upper +Glen. There was a widowed lady, Mrs Constable, who resided at a lovely +home called The Paddock; and there was her brother, a widower, who +lived in a house equally beautiful, named The Garden. + +The Hon. George Lennox had five young daughters, whom he called not by +their baptismal names, but by flower names. Mrs Constable, again, +called her five boys after precious stones. + +The names of the girls were Jasmine, otherwise Lucy; Gentian, otherwise +Margaret; Hollyhock, whose baptismal name was Jacqueline; Rose of the +Garden, who was really Rose; and Delphinium, whose real name was +Dorothy. + +The boys, sons of gentle Mrs Constable, were Jasper, otherwise John; +Sapphire, whose real name was Robert; Garnet, baptised Wallace; Opal, +whose name was Andrew; and Emerald, christened Ronald. + +These happy children scarcely ever heard their baptismal names. The +flower names and the precious stones names clung to them until the day +when pretty Jasmine and manly Jasper were fifteen years of age. On +that day there came a very great change in the lives of the Flower +Girls and the Precious Stones. On that very day their real story +began. They little guessed it, for few of us do believe in sudden +changes in a very peaceful--perhaps too peaceful--life. + +Nevertheless, a very great change was at hand, and the news which +heralded that tremendous change reached them on the evening of the +birthday of Jasmine and Jasper. It was the custom of these two most +united families to spend their evenings together--one evening at The +Garden, the Flower Girls' home, and the next at The Paddock, Mrs +Constable's house. On this special occasion the Flower Girls went with +their father to The Paddock, and thus avoided receiving until late in +the evening the all-important letter which was to alter their lives +completely. + +George Lennox, whose dead wife had been a Cameron--a near relative of +the head of the great house of Ardshiel--bade his sister a most +affectionate good-night, and returned to The Garden with his five +bonnie lassies. They had passed a delightful evening together, and on +account of the double birthday Lennox and Mrs Constable had made up a +most charming little play, in which the Flower Girls and the Precious +Stones took part. Ever true and kind of heart, they had invited from +the Glen a number of children, and also their parents, to witness the +performance. The play had given untold delight, and the guests from +the Lower Glen finished the evening's entertainment with a splendid +supper, ending with the well-known and beloved song of 'Auld Lang Syne.' + +Mr Lennox and Mrs Constable taught their girls and boys without any aid +from outside. All ten children were smart; indeed, it would be +difficult to find better-educated young people for their ages. But Mrs +Constable knew only too well that whatever the future held in store for +her brother's Flower Girls, she must very soon part, one by one, with +her splendid boys; for was not this the express wish of her beloved +soldier-husband, Major Constable, who had died on the field of battle +in Africa, and who had put away a certain sum of money which was to be +spent, when the time came, on the children's education? He himself was +an old Eton boy, and he wanted his young sons to go to that famous +school if at all possible. But before any of the Precious Stones could +enter Eton, he must pass at least a year at a preparatory school, and +it was the thought of this coming separation that made the sweet gray +eyes of the widow fill often with sudden tears. To part with any of +her treasures was torture to her. However, we none of us know what +lies in store for us, and nothing was farther from the hearts of the +children and their parents than the thought of change on this glorious +night of mid-June. + +The moment Mr Lennox and his five girls entered the great hall, which +was so marked a feature of the beautiful Garden, they saw a letter, +addressed to The Hon. George Lennox, lying on a table not far from the +ingle-nook. Mr Lennox's first impulse was to put the letter aside, but +all the little girls clustered round him and begged of him to open it +at once. They all gathered round him as they spoke, and being +exceeding fond of his daughters, he could not resist their appeal. +After all, the unexpected letter might mean less than nothing. In any +case, it must be read sometime. + +'Oh, Daddy Dumps, do--_do_ read the letter!' cried Hollyhock, the +handsomest and most daring of the girls. 'We 're just mad to hear what +the braw laddie says. Open the letter, daddy mine, and set our minds +at rest.' + +'The letter may not be written by any laddie, Hollyhock,' said her +father in his gentle, exceedingly dignified way. + +'If it's from a woman, we'd best burn it,' said Hollyhock, who had a +holy contempt for members of her own sex. + +'Oh! but fie, prickly Holly,' said her father. 'You know that I allow +no lady to be spoken against in my house.' + +'Well, read the letter, daddy--read it!' exclaimed Jasmine. 'We want, +anyhow, to know what it contains.' + +'I seem to recall the writing,' said Lennox, as he seated himself in an +easy-chair. 'You _will_ have it, my dears,' he continued; 'but you may +not like it after I have read it. However, here goes!' + +The children gathered round their father, who slowly and carefully +unfolded the sheet of paper and read as follows: + + +'MY DEAR GEORGE,--It is my intention to arrive at the Garden to-morrow, +and I hope, as your dear wife's half-sister, to get a hearty welcome. +I have a great scheme in my head, which I am certain you will approve +of, and which will be exceedingly good for your funny little +daughters'---- + + +'I do not like that,' interrupted Hollyhock. 'I am not a funny little +daughter.' + +'Dearest,' said her father, kissing her between her black brows, 'we +must forgive Aunt Agnes. She doesn't know us, you see.' + +'No; and we don't want to know her,' said Jasmine. 'We are very happy +as we are. We are desperately happy; aren't we, Rose; aren't we, +Delphy?' + +'Yes, of course, of course,' echoed their father; 'but all the same, +children, your aunt must come. She is, remember, your dear mother's +sister.' + +'Did you ever meet her, daddy?' asked Jasmine. + +'Yes, years ago, when Delphy was a baby.' + +'What was she like, daddy?' + +'She wasn't like any of you, my precious Flowers.' + +The five little girls gave a profound sigh. + +'Will she stay long, daddy?' asked Gentian. + +'I sincerely trust not,' said the Honourable George Lennox. + +'Then _that's_ all right. We don't mind _very_ much now,' said +Hollyhock; and she began to dance wildly about the room. + +'You will have to behave, Hollyhock,' said her father with a smile. + +Hollyhock drew herself up to her full height; her black eyes gleamed +and glowed; her lips parted in a funny, yet naughty, smile. Her hair +seemed so full of electricity that it stood out in wonderful rays all +over her head. + +'And why should I behave well _now_, daddy mine?' she asked. + +'Oh, because of Aunt Agnes.' + +'Catch me,' said Hollyhock.--'Who is with me in this matter, girls? +Are you, Delphy? Are you, Jasmine? Are you, Gentian? Are you, Rose +of the Garden?' + +'We 're every one of us with you,' exclaimed Jasmine, snuggling up to +her father as she spoke. 'Daddy,' she continued, 'I want to ask you a +question. Even if it hurts you, I must ask it. Was our own, _ownest_ +mother the least like Aunt Agnes?' + +'As the east is from the west, so were those two sisters apart,' he +said. + +'Then _that's_ all right,' said Hollyhock. 'I'm happy now. I couldn't +have endured being rude to a woman who was like my mother, but as it +is'---- + +'You mustn't be rude to her, Hollyhock.' + +'We 'll see,' said Hollyhock. 'Leave her to me. I think I'll manage +her. Perhaps she's a good old sort--there's no saying. But she and +her _scheme_--daring to come and disturb us and _our_ scheme! I like +that--I really do. Good-night, dad; I'm off to bed. I 've had a very +happy day, and I suppose happy days end. Anyway, old darling, we'll +always have you on our side, sha'n't we?' + +'That you will, my darlings,' said Lennox. + +'What fun it will be to talk to the Precious Stones about Aunt Agnes!' +said Hollyhock. 'Flowers are soft things; at least _some_ flowers are. +But stones! they can _strike_--and ours are so big and so strong.' + +'Whatever happens, girls,' said their father, 'we must be polite to +your step-aunt, Agnes Delacour.' + +'Oh, she's only a "step," poor thing,' said Hollyhock. 'No wonder they +were as the east is from the west. Now good-night, daddy. Don't fret. +I wish with all my heart we could go back to the Precious Stones +to-night and prepare them for battle. They ought to be prepared, +oughtn't they?' + +'Well, you can't go to see them to-night, Hollyhock; and to-morrow, +early, we shall be very busy getting the room ready for Aunt Agnes, for +she _is_ my half-sister-in-law, and she did her best to bring up your +dearest mother. But I may as well say a few words to you, dear girls, +before we part for the night.' + +'What is that, dad?' asked Gentian. + +'I wonder whether you remember what your real names are.' + +'The names that were given us at the font?' said Jasmine. + +'Yes; your baptismal names--your real names.' + +'I 'll say them off fast enough,' said Jasmine. 'There's Jasmine, +that's me; there 's Gentian, meaning the little gray-eyed girl in the +corner; there's Rose, who always will be and can be nothing but Rose; +there's Hollyhock; there's Delphinium. Delphinium is hard to say, but +Delphy is quite easy.' + +'And I suppose you think,' said their father in his half-humorous, +half-serious voice, 'that you were really baptised by those names?' + +'Why, of course, Dumpy Dad!' cried Hollyhock. + +'Well, I must undeceive you, my dear Flower Girls. Your mother and I +took a notion to have you baptised by certain names and called by +others. Jasmine is really Lucy; Gentian is Margaret; Hollyhock, your +real name is Jacqueline; Rose of the Garden is, however, _really_ Rose; +and Delphinium was baptised Dorothy.' + +'Well, that is wonderful!' exclaimed Hollyhock. 'I must write down the +names before they escape my memory. Give me a bit of paper and a +pencil, Daddy Dumps, that I may write down at once our true church +names.' + +'Here you are, Hollyhock,' said Lennox; 'and do not forget that in the +eyes of your step-aunt you are five little girls, not flowers.' + +'In the eyes of the old horror,' whispered Hollyhock, who felt much +excited at the change in the names. + +'I wonder now,' said Gentian when Hollyhock's task was finished, and +she passed her scribble to her father to see--'I wonder whether there +is a similar mistake in the names of our cousins--or _brothers_, as +they really are to us.' + +'Yes, they are like brothers to you, my dears; and your aunt Cecilia +was so taken by the notion of the flower names for you that she must +needs copy my wife and me, and so it happens that Jasper is really +John, Sapphire is Robert, Garnet is Wallace, called after his gallant +father, Major Constable'---- + +'"Scots wha hae wi' Wallace bled,"' sang Hollyhock in her rich, clear +voice. 'Aweel, I love him better than ever, the bonnie lad with his +black eyes.' + +'Children,' said Lennox, 'it is high time for you all to go to bed. We +must get through the boys' names as fast as possible. Opal's real name +is Andrew.' + +'Poor lad,' continued Hollyhock, 'fit servant to Wallace.' + +'And,' added Mr Lennox, 'Emerald's baptismal name is Ronald. That is +all--five Flower Girls, five Precious Stones, first cousins and the +best of friends, even as sisters and brothers. But my Flower Girls +must be off to bed without a single moment's further delay. +Good-night.' + +'"Scots wha hae,"' sang Hollyhock, as she danced lightly up the stairs +of the big house. 'I guess, Flowers, that we are about to have a right +_grand_ time.' + +'Never mind that now,' said Jasmine. 'Whatever happens, the Precious +Stones will help us.' + +'That's true,' cried Hollyhock. 'Talk to me of fear! I fear nought, +nor nobody. The lads, I'm thinking, will be coming to _me_ to help +them, if there's fear walking around.' + +She looked so bold and bright and daring as she spoke that the other +Flower Girls believed her at that moment. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +AUNT AGNES DELACOUR + +Miss Delacour was an elderly woman with somewhat coarse gray hair. She +was not old, but elderly. She had a very broad figure, plump and +well-proportioned. Miss Delacour thought little about so trivial a +thing as fashion, or mere dress in any shape or form. She was fond of +saying that she was as the Almighty made her, and that clothes were +nothing but a snare of the flesh. + +Agnes Delacour was exceedingly well off, but she lived in a very small +house in Chelsea, and gave of her abundance to those whom she called +'the Lord's poor.' Her charities were many and wide-spread, and on +that account she was highly esteemed by numbers of people, either very +poor or struggling, in that upper class which needs help so much, and +gets it so little. To these people Agnes Delacour gave freely, saving +many young people from utter ruin by her timely aid, and drawing down +on her devoted head the blessings of their fathers and mothers, who +spoke of her as one of the Lord's saints. Nevertheless those who knew +Miss Delacour really well did _not_ love her. She was too cold, too +masterful, for their taste, and these folks would rather live in great +difficulties than accept her bounty. + +After the death of her young half-sister, Lucy Cameron, who had +married, against Miss Delacour's desire, the Hon. George Lennox, Miss +Delacour took no notice whatsoever of the five sweet little daughters +her half-sister had brought into the world. Miss Delacour left the +broken-hearted widower and his little girls to their sorrow, not even +answering the letters which for a short time the children, by their +father's desire, wrote to their mother's half-sister, so that +by-and-by, as they grew older, most of them forgot that they had an +aunt Agnes. Lucy Lennox was as unlike her half-sister as it was +possible for two sisters to be. In the first place, Agnes, compared +with Lucy, was old, being many years her senior; in the second, Agnes +was singularly plain, whereas Lucy was very lovely. She was far more +than lovely; she was endowed with a wonderful charm which drew the +hearts of all people, men and women alike, who saw her. Her beautiful +dark eyes, her rosy cheeks, with their rare dimples, her gay laughter, +her glorious voice in singing, her pretty way of talking French, almost +like one born to the graceful tongue, the way she devoted herself to +her husband first, next to her sweet girls, the whole appearance of her +radiant face, and her conduct on each and every occasion, made her a +favourite with all who knew her. + +Alas! she was gone; for Lucy Lennox was one of those not destined to +live long in this world. She died just after the birth of her youngest +child, and Lennox felt that now his one duty was to do all in his power +for the precious Flowers she had left behind her. + +There were three great and spacious houses in the Upper Glen. One, we +have seen, was occupied by Mr Lennox, one by his sister, Mrs Constable; +but between The Paddock and The Garden was a house so large, so +magnificent, so richly dowered with all the beauties of nature, that it +more nearly resembled a palace than an ordinary house. This great +mansion belonged to the Duke of Ardshiel, and was called the Palace of +the Kings, for the simple reason that its noble owner was looked upon +as a king in those parts. Further, King James the First of England and +Sixth of Scotland had passed some time there, and 'Bonnie Prince +Charlie' had taken refuge at Ardshiel in the time of his wanderings. +The great castle belonged to the Duke, who had many other places of +residence, but who had never gone near the Palace of the Kings since a +terrible tragedy took place there, about twenty years before the +opening of this story. + +A kinswoman and ward of Ardshiel's, a charming girl of the name of +Viola Cameron, had fallen madly in love with a gallant member of the +great clan of Douglas, and the Duke somewhat unwillingly gave his +consent to the marriage on condition that Lord Alasdair Douglas should +add Cameron to his own name. Lord Alasdair agreed, for great was his +love for Viola Cameron. The Duke was now well pleased. He could not +but see what a fine fellow Lord Alasdair was, and accordingly he gave +the Palace of the Kings to the young pair, and had the whole house and +grounds put into perfect order, all at his own expense. The fair young +Viola Cameron and the brave Lord Alasdair were to be married on a +certain day early in December. All went merry as a marriage bell. +But, alas! tragedy was at the door, and early on the wedding morn Lord +Alasdair was found cold and dead in the deep lake which formed such a +feature of the property. How he died no one could tell; but die he did +with life so fair and bright before him, and the girl he loved putting +on her wedding clothes for the happy ceremony. There was no apparent +reason for his death, for he passionately loved the Lady Viola, and was +willing to give up his own proud name for her dear sake. + +Viola Cameron mourned frantically for her lover for some time, and +refused to go near the Palace of the Kings; but after a time she +returned to London society, and eventually married a rich manufacturer, +nearly double her age and far beneath her in station. + +The Duke, who, on her marriage with Lord Alasdair, was about to settle +a fortune upon her, now abandoned all such intentions, and Ardshiel +became his once more. Nor would he ever again allow himself to speak +of or talk to the Lady Viola. She was now beneath his notice. + +The Lady Viola passes completely out of this story. The Palace of the +Kings had lain empty and deserted for over twenty long years, and Miss +Delacour knew this fact and intended to act accordingly. After making +full inquiries she paid the old Duke a visit, taking with her a certain +Mrs Macintyre. Mrs Macintyre was one of those women whom all men +respect, if they do not love. She had lost both husband and children. +She was of high birth and equally good education. She was now, +however, in sore want, and Miss Delacour thought she saw a way of +helping her and also adding to the lustre of her own name as a great +philanthropist. Miss Delacour did most of the talking, and Mrs +Macintyre all the sad, gentle smiles. In short, they won over the old +Duke, and Miss Delacour arranged that she should call upon Lucy's +husband in order to propound her scheme. + +The little girls and the boys had time to meet before Miss Delacour's +arrival. Although that lady was well off, she would not take a +motor-car from Edinburgh to the Upper Glen. She believed that her +brother-in-law had a motor-car, and thought it the height of +selfishness on his part that he did not send it to town to meet her. +But she had her pride, as she expressed it, and in consequence did not +arrive at The Garden till about four o'clock in the day, having given +the young Constables and the young Lennoxes time to have a very eager +chat together, whilst Mrs Constable and Lennox himself had a serious +conversation, in which they unanimously expressed the wish that Agnes +Delacour would take her departure as soon as possible. + +Miss Delacour arrived on the scene in a very bad temper. She was met +by Lennox with his beautiful smile and courtly manner. He welcomed her +kindly, and gave her his arm to enter the great central hall. Miss +Delacour sniffed as she went in. She sniffed more audibly as her +small, closely set brown eyes encountered the fixed gaze of five little +girls, who, to judge from their manners, were all antagonistic to her. + +'Come and speak to your aunt, my dears,' she said.--'George,' she +continued, 'I should be glad of some tea.' + +'It isn't time for tea yet,' said Hollyhock, but I 'll amuse you. +Would you like to see a girl somersaulting up and down the hall? It's +a _grand_ place for that sort of exercise, and I can teach you if you +like. You _are_ a bit old, but I've seen older. You just have to let +yourself go--spread yourself, so to speak--put your hands on the floor +and then over you go, over and over. Oh, it's _grand_ sport; we often +do it.' + +'Then you might do better,' said Miss Delacour, speaking in a very +stern voice. 'I haven't quite caught your name, child, but you have +evidently not learned respect for your elders.' + +'My name is Hollyhock. I 'm a Scots lass frae the heather. Eh, but +there's no air like the air o' the heather! Did you ever get a bit of +it, all white? Yes, _there's_ luck for you.' + +'Do you mean seriously to tell me, George,' said Miss Delacour, 'that +you have called that child Hollyhock--that impertinent, rude child, +Hollyhock?' + +'Well, yes, he has, bless his heart!' said Hollyhock, going up to her +father and fondling his head. 'Isn't he a bit of a sort of a thing +that you 'd love? Eh, but he's a _grand_ man. He isn't afflicted with +bad looks, Aunt Agnes.' + +'Send that child out of the room, George,' said Aunt Agnes. + +'I refuse to stir,' was Hollyhock's response. + +'George, is it true that you have insulted my dead sister's memory by +calling one of her offspring by such an awful name as Hollyhock?' + +'I have not insulted my wife's memory, Agnes. I took a fancy to call +my little girls after flowers. This is Jasmine--real name Lucy, after +my lost darling. This is Gentian--real name Margaret. This is +Rose--also Rose of the Garden, queen of all flowers. Hollyhock's +baptismal name is Jacqueline; and Delphinium, my youngest'--his voice +shook a little--'is Dorothy.' + +'The one for whom your wife laid down her life,' said Miss Delacour. +'Well, to be sure, I always knew that men were bad, but I did _not_ +think they were fools as well.--Understand, you five girls, that while +I am here--and I shall probably stay for a long time--you will be Lucy, +Margaret, Jacqueline, Rose, and Dorothy to me. I don't care what your +silly father calls you.' + +'He's not silly,' said Hollyhock. 'He's the best of old ducksy dumps; +and if you don't want to learn somersaulting, perhaps you 'd like a +hand-to-hand fight. _I'm_ quite ready;' and Hollyhock stamped up to +the good lady with clenched fists and angry, black eyes. + +'Oh, preserve me from this little terror of a girl!' said Miss +Delacour. 'I perceive that the Divine Providence has sent me here just +in time.' + +'You haven't met the _Precious Stones_ yet,' said Hollyhock. 'Flowers +are a bit soft, except roses, which have thorns; but when you meet +Jasper and Sapphire and Garnet and Opal and Emerald, I can tell you you +'ll have to mind your p's and q's. _They_ won't stand any nonsense; +they won't endure any silly speeches, but they 'll just go for you +hammer and tongs. They 're boys, every one of them--and--and--we 're +expecting them any minute.' + +'Jacqueline, you must behave yourself,' said her father. 'You 're +trying your aunt very much indeed.--Jasmine, or, rather, my sweet Lucy, +will you take your aunt to her bedroom, and order the tea to be got +ready a little earlier than usual in the hall to-day?' + +Jasmine, otherwise Lucy, obeyed her father's command at a glance, and +the old lady and the young girl went up the low broad stairs side by +side. Miss Delacour gasped once or twice. + +'What a terrible creature your sister is!' she remarked. + +'Oh no, she's not really; she only wants her bit of fun.' + +'But to be rude to an elderly lady!' continued Miss Delacour. + +'She did not mean it for rudeness. She just wanted you to enjoy +yourself. You see, we are accustomed to a great deal of freedom, and +there _never_ was a man like daddy, and we are so happy with him.' + +'Lucy--your name is Lucy, isn't it?' + +'I am called Jasmine, but my name is Lucy,' said the girl, with a sigh. + +'That was your mother's name,' continued Miss Agnes. 'You remind me of +her a little, without having her great beauty. You are a plain child, +Lucy, but you ought to be thankful, seeing that such is the will of the +Almighty.' + +'Jasper says I am exceedingly handsome,' replied Lucy. + +'Oh, that awful boy! What a man your father must be to allow such +talk!' + +'Please, please, auntie, don't speak against him. He's an angel, if +ever there was one. I want to make you happy, auntie; but if you speak +against father, I greatly fear I can't. Please, for the sake of my +mother, be nice to father.' + +'I mean to be nice to every one, child. I have come here for the +purpose. You certainly have a look of your mother. You have got her +eyes, for instance.' + +'Oh yes, her eyes and her chin and the roses in the cheeks,' said +Jasmine. 'Father calls me the comfort of his life. No one ever, ever +said I was ugly before, Aunt Agnes.' + +'I perceive that you are an exceedingly vain little girl; but that will +be soon knocked out of you.' + +'How?' asked Jasmine. + +'When my dear friend, Mrs Macintyre, starts her noble school.' + +'School!' said Jasmine, turning a little pale. 'But father says he +will never allow any of us to go to school.' + +'He will do what _I_ wish in this matter. Dear, dear, what a dreary +room, so large, and only half-furnished! No wonder poor Lucy died +here. She was a timid little thing. She probably died in the very bed +that you are putting me into--so thoughtless--so unkind.' + +'It isn't thoughtless or unkind, Aunt Agnes, for father sleeps in the +bed where mother died, and in the room where she died. But now I hear +the boys all arriving. The water in this jug is nice and hot, and here +are fresh towels, and Magsie'---- + +'Who is Magsie?' + +'She's a maid; if you ring that bell just there, she 'll come to you, +and unpack your trunks. By the way, what a lot of trunks you have +brought, Aunt Agnes! I thought you were only coming for a couple of +days.' + +'Polite, I must say,' remarked Miss Delacour. + +'We all thought it,' remarked Jasmine, 'for, you see, you would not +come to darling mother's funeral--that _did_ hurt father so awfully.' + +'I could not get away. I was helping the sick. It was a case of +cataract,' said Miss Delacour. 'I had to hold her hand while the +operation went on, otherwise she might have been blind for life. Would +you take away a living, breathing person's sight because of senseless +clay?' + +Jasmine marched out of the room. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +AUNT AGNES'S WAY. + +If there was a person with a determined will, with a heart set upon +certain actions which must and _should_ be carried out, that was the +elderly lady known as Agnes Delacour. She never went back on her word. +She never relaxed in her charities. She herself lived in a small house +in Chelsea, and, being a rich woman, could thereby spend large sums on +the poor and the needy. She was a wise woman in her generation, and +never gave help when help was not needed. No begging letters appealed +to her, no pretended woes took her in; but the real sufferers in life! +these she attended to, these she helped, these she comforted. Her +universal plan was to get the sorrowful and the poor in a very great +measure to help themselves. She had no idea of encouraging what she +called idleness. Thrift was her motto. If a person needed money, that +person must work for it. Agnes would help her to work, but she +certainly would not have anything whatsoever to do with those whom she +called the _wasters_ of life. + +In consequence, Agnes Delacour did a vast amount of good. She never by +any chance gave injudiciously. Her present protégée was Mrs Macintyre. +Mrs Macintyre was the sort of woman to whom the heart of Agnes Delacour +went out in a great wave of pity. In the first place, she was Scots, +and Miss Delacour loved the Scots. In the next place, she was very +proud, and would not eat the bread of charity. Mrs Macintyre was a +highly educated woman. She had lost both husband and children, and was +therefore stranded on the shores of life. There was little or no hope +for her, unless her friend Agnes took her up. Now, therefore, was the +time for Agnes Delacour to attack that strange being, her +brother-in-law, whom she had neglected so long. + +She hardly knew his sister, Cecilia Constable, but she meant to become +acquainted with her soon, to plead for her help, and in so great a +cause to overlook the fact that this brother and this sister were a +pair of faddists. Faddists they should not remain long, if _she_ could +help it. She, Agnes Delacour, strong-minded and determined, would see +to that. The children of this most silly pair required education. Who +more suitable for the purpose than gentle, kind, clever Mrs Macintyre? +If George Lennox paid down the rent for Ardshiel, or, in other words, +for the Palace of the Kings, and if Mrs Constable put down five hundred +pounds for the redecorating of the grounds, and if the great Duke +allowed them to keep the old, magnificent furniture, which had lain +unused within those walls for over twenty years--and this he had +practically promised to do, drawn thereto by Mrs Macintyre's sweet, +pathetic smile and face--why, the deed was done, and she, Agnes, the +noble and generous, need only add a few extra hundred pounds for the +purchase of beds and school furniture. Thus the greatest school in the +whole of Scotland would be opened under wonderfully noble auspices. +Yes, all was going well, and the good woman felt better than pleased. +Her great fame would spread wider and faster than ever. She lived to +do good; she was doing good--good on a very considerable +scale--supported by the highest nobility in the land. + +Miss Delacour was not quite sure whether the school should be a mixed +school or not. She waited for circumstances to settle that point. +Mixed schools were becoming the fashion, and to a certain extent she +approved of them; but she would not give her vote in that direction +until she had a talk with her brother-in-law, and with Mrs Constable. +Ardshiel was within easy reach of Edinburgh and Glasgow, but Miss +Delacour made up her mind that the school, when established, should be +a boarding-school. The very most she would permit would be the return +of the children who lived within a convenient distance to their homes +for week-end visits. But on that point also she was by no means sure. +Providence must decide, she said softly to herself. She came, +therefore, to The Garden determined to leave the matter, as she said, +to Providence; whereas, in reality, she left it to George Lennox and +his sister, Mrs Constable. + +At any cost these people must do their parts. Be they faddists, or be +they not, their children must be saved. Could there in all the world +be a more horrible girl than Hollyhock--or, as her real name was, +Jacqueline? Even Lucy (always called Jasmine) was an impertinent +little thing; but what _could_ you expect from such a man as George +Lennox? + +Miss Delacour was, however, the sort of person who held her soul in +great patience. After Jasmine had left her she stood and looked out of +the window, observed the lake on which those silly little girls were +rowing, noticed those absurd boys who were called after precious +stones, forsooth! and made up her mind to be pleasant with Cecilia and +her family, and to say nothing of her designs to her brother-in-law +until the children had gone to bed. She presumed at least that they +went to bed early. A little creature like Dorothy ought to be in her +warm nest not later than half-past seven. Lucy and Margaret might be +permitted to sit up till nine. Afterwards she, Miss Delacour, could +have a good talk with George Lennox. She invariably spoke of him as +George Lennox, ignoring the Honourable, for she had no respect for the +semblance of a title. + +By opening her window very wide, she was able to get a distant glimpse +of the much-neglected Palace. She observed, with approval, the vast +size of the house, the abundance of trees, the glass-houses, the +hothouses, the remains of ancient splendour. Then she looked at the +lake, which shone and gleamed in all its summer glory; but she turned +her thoughts from the sad history of that lake. She was not a woman to +romance over things. She was a woman to go straight forward in a +matter-of-fact, downright fashion. + +Happening to meet one of the girls at an hour between tea and dinner, +she inquired at what time their father dined. + +'We all dine at half-past seven,' replied Hollyhock. + +'You _all_ dine at half-past seven? How old are you, Jacqueline?' + +'Nearly thirteen, Auntie Agnes,' replied the girl, tossing her black +mane of lovely, thick hair. + +'And do you mean to tell me that little Dorothy, who cannot be more +than eight or nine years old, takes her last heavy meal at half-past +seven in the evening? Such folly is really past believing.' + +'Auntie, you must believe it, for wee Delphy always dines with the rest +of us. And why shouldn't she?' + +'Now, my dear child, as to your father's strange conduct, it is not my +place to speak of it before his unhappy and ill-bred child, but I have +one request to make. It is this--that you do not again in my presence +call your sister by that sickening name.' + +'But, auntie, _we_ think it a very lovely name. We like our flower +names so much. Auntie, I do wish that you'd go. We were so happy +without you, auntie. Do go and leave us in peace.' + +'You certainly are the most impertinent little girl I ever met in my +life; but times, thank the good God, are changing.' + +'Are they? How, may I ask?' inquired Hollyhock. + +'That I am not going to tell you quite yet, but changing they are.' + +'And I say they are _not_,' repeated Hollyhock with great zeal. + +'Oh! what a bad, wicked little girl you are! What an awful trial to my +poor brother-in-law!' + +'And I say I 'm not. I say that I 'm the joy of his life, the poor +dear! Auntie, you 'd best not try me too far.' + +'May God grant me patience,' muttered Miss Delacour under her breath. + +She went upstairs to the room where her sister had not died, and made +up her mind that as, of course, this wild family would not know +anything whatsoever of dressing for dinner, she need not trouble to +change her clothes. That being the case, she need not ring for the +objectionable young person called Magsie. 'Such a name for a maid!' +thought Miss Delacour. 'I'll just wear my old brown dress; it will +save the dresses which I have to keep for proper occasions in London. +Dear, dear, what an _awful_ house this is!' + +She sank into a chair, saying to herself how much, how very much, Mrs +Macintyre would have to thank her for by-and-by! She looked at the +watch she wore in a leather wristlet, and decided that she might rest +for at least a quarter of an hour. She was really tired as well as +appalled at the state of things at The Garden. Presently, however, +seated in her easy-chair--and a very easy and comfortable chair it +was--she observed that all her trunks had been unpacked; not only +unpacked, but removed bodily from the large apartment. She felt a +sense of anger. That girl, Magsie, had taken a liberty in unpacking +her trunks. She should not have done so without asking permission. It +is true that she herself had left the keys of the said trunks on her +dressing-table, for most maids did unpack for her, but that was no +excuse for such a creature as Magsie. + +Just then there came a tap at her door. She was beginning to feel +drowsy and comfortable, and said, in a cross voice, for she preened +herself on her French, '_Entrez!_' + +Magsie had never heard '_Entrez_' before, but concluded that it was the +strange woman's way of saying, 'Come in.' She accordingly entered, +carrying a large brass can of boiling water. + +'It has come to the bile, miss,' remarked Magsie, as she entered the +room, 'but ye can cool it down wi' cold water.' + +'Thank you. You can leave it,' said Miss Delacour. + +'What dress would ye be likin' to array yerself in?' asked Magsie. + +'I'm not going to dress for dinner.' + +'Not goin' to dress for dinner! But the master, he dresses like most +people i' the evenin', and the young leddies and gentlemen and Mrs +Constable, they sit down at the table--ah, weel! as them as is +accustomed to respec' their station in life. I was thinkin', miss, +that your purple gown, which I have put away in the big cupboard, might +do for to-night. Ye 're a well-formed woman, miss--out in the back, +out in the front--and I jalouse all your bones are covered. It 'll +look queer your not dressin'--more particular when every one else does.' + +'I never heard of anything quite so ridiculous,' said Miss Delacour; +'but as those silly children are going to dress, I suppose I had better +put on the gown which I call my thistle gown. The thistle is the +emblem of Scotland. I suppose you know that, Margaret?' + +'No me,' said Margaret. 'It's an ugly, prickly thing, is a thistle.' + +'Well, you have learnt something from me to-night. You ought to be +very glad when I instruct you, Margaret.' + +'I 'd rather be called Magsie,' returned Margaret. + +'I intend to call you just what I please.' + +'Very weel, miss; but may I make bold to ask which _is_ the thistle +gown?' + +'It is a rich, white silk, patterned over with thistles of the natural +colour of the emblem of Scotland. Open the wardrobe and I shall show +it to you. But you took a liberty when you unpacked my clothes without +asking my permission, Margaret.' + +'Leeberty--did I? I thocht ye'd be pleased, bein' an auld leddy, no +less; but catch me doin' it again. Ay, but this thistle gown is gran', +to be sure.' + +'Can you dress hair?' inquired Miss Delacour. + +'Naething special,' was Magsie's answer. 'Is it a wig ye wear or no? +It looks gey unnatural, sae I tak' it to be a wig; but if it's yer ain +hair, I beg yer humble pardon. There's nae harm dune in makin' the +remark.' + +'You are a very impertinent girl; but as my dress happens to fasten +behind, and the people in this house are all foolish, I suppose I had +better get you to help me. No, my hair is my own. You must make it +look as well as you can. Do you understand back-combing?' + +'Lawk a mercy, ma'am! I never heard tell o' such a thing; and speakin' +o' my master and his family as fules is beyond a'. However, Miss +Jasmine, the darlin', she comes to me and she says in her coaxin' way, +"Mak' the auld leddy comfy, Magsie;" and I 'd risk mony a danger to +please Miss Jasmine.' + +'There isn't any Miss Jasmine. Her name is Lucy.' + +'Ah, weel, ma'am, ca' the bonnie lass what ye like. Now stand up and +let me at ye. That's the gown. My word! thae thistles are fine. +Hoots! ye needna mind wearin' that gown, auld as ye be. The thistle +'ll do its part.' + +'I do wish, girl, you'd atop talking,' said Miss Delacour, and Magsie +of the black hair and black eyes and glowing complexion glanced at her +new mistress and thought it prudent to obey. + +She did manage to arrange Miss Delacour's hair 'brawly,' as she called +it, for, as it proved, she had a real talent for hairdressing, and the +good lady inwardly resolved to train this ignorant Margaret for the +school. + +She went downstairs presently in her thistle dress. The five little +girls were clad very simply all in white. The five boys wore Eton +jackets, and looked what they were, most gentlemanly young fellows. +Mrs Constable, in a pale shade of gray, was altogether charming; and +nothing could excel the courteous manners of George Lennox. + +Every one was inclined to be kind to the stranger, and as it was the +stranger's intention to make a good impression on account of her +scheme, she led the conversation at dinner, ignoring the ten children, +and devoting herself to her brother-in-law and Mrs Constable. + +When Miss Delacour was not present there were always wild games, not to +say romps, after dinner, but she seemed in some extraordinary way to +put an extinguisher on the candle of their fun. So deeply was this +manifest that Mrs Constable went back to The Paddock with her five boys +shortly after dinner; and Mr Lennox, seeing that he must make the best +of things, gave a hint to Jasmine that they had better leave him alone +with their mother's half-sister. + +The boys had groaned audibly at this ending of their evening's fun. +Hollyhock looked defiant and even wicked; but when daddy whispered to +her, 'The sooner she lets out her scheme, the sooner I can get rid of +her,' the little girls ran upstairs hand-in-hand, all of them singing +at the top of their voices: + + And fare thee weel, my only Luve, + And fare thee weel a while! + And I will come again, my Luve, + Tho' it were ten thousand mile.' + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE PALACE OF THE KINGS. + +Miss Agnes Delacour was the last person to let the grass grow under her +feet. She, as she expressed it to herself, 'cornered' her +brother-in-law as soon as the five little girls tripped off to bed. +There was nothing, she said inwardly, like taking the bull by the +horns. Accordingly she attacked that ferocious beast in the form of +quiet, courteous Mr Lennox with her usual energy. + +'George,' she said, 'you are angry with your poor sister.' + +'Oh, not at all,' he replied. 'Pray take a seat. This chair I can +recommend as most comfortable.' + +Miss Agnes accepted the chair, but pursued her own course of reasoning. + +'You 're angry,' she continued, 'because I did not go to poor Lucy's +funeral.' + +'We will let that matter drop,' said Lennox, his very refined face +turning slightly pale. + +'But, my dear brother, we must _not_ let it drop. It is my duty to +protest, and to defend myself. There was a woman with cataract.' + +'Dear Agnes, I know that story so well. I am glad the woman recovered +her sight.' + +'Then you are a good Christian man, George, and we are friends once +again.' + +'We were never anything else,' said Lennox. + +'That being the case,' continued Miss Delacour, 'you will of course +listen to the object of my mission here.' + +'I will listen, Agnes; but I do not say that I shall either comprehend +or take an interest in your so-called _mission_.' + +'Ah, narrow, narrow man,' said Miss Delacour, shaking her plump finger +playfully at her host as she spoke. + +'Am I narrow? I did not know it,' replied Lennox. + +'Fearfully so. Think of the way you are bringing up your girls.' + +'What is the matter with my lasses? I think them the bonniest and the +best in the world.' + +'Poor misguided man! They are nothing of the sort.' + +'If you have come here, Agnes, to abuse Lucy's children, _and_ mine, I +would rather we dropped the subject. They have nothing to do with you. +You have never until the present moment taken the slightest notice of +them. They give _me_ intense happiness. I think, perhaps, Agnes, +seeing that we differ and have always differed in every particular, it +might be as well for you to shorten your visit to The Garden.' + +'Thank you. That is the sort of speech a child reared by you has +already made to me. She has, in fact, impertinent little thing, +already asked me when I am going.' + +'Do you allude to Hollyhock?' + +'Now, George, is it wise--is it sensible to call those children after +the flowers of the garden and the field? I assure you your manner of +bringing up your family makes me _sick_--yes, sick!' + +'Oh, don't trouble about us,' said Lennox. 'We get on uncommonly well. +They are _my_ children, you know.' + +'And Lucy's,' whispered Miss Delacour, her voice slightly shaking. + +'I am very sorry to hurt you, Agnes; but Lucy herself--dear, sweet, +precious Lucy--liked the idea of each of the children being called +after a flower; not baptismally, of course, but in their home life. +One of the very last things she said to me before she died was, "Call +the little one Delphinium." Now, have we not talked enough on this, to +me, _most_ painful subject? My Lucy and I were one in heart and deed.' + +'Alas, alas!' said Miss Delacour. 'How hard it is to get men to +understand! I knew Lucy longer than you. I brought her up; I trained +her. The good that was in her she owed to me. She has passed on--a +beautiful expression _that_--but I feel a voice within me saying--a +voice which is her voice--"Agnes, remember my children. Agnes, think +of my children. Do for them what is right. Remember their father's +great weakness."' + +'Thanks,' replied Lennox. 'That voice in your breast did not come from +Lucy.' + +Miss Delacour gave a short, sharp sigh. + +'Oh, the ignorance of men!' she exclaimed. 'Oh, the silly, false pride +of men! They think themselves the very best in the world, whereas they +are in reality a poor, very poor lot.' + +Lennox fidgeted in his chair. + +'How long will this lecture take?' he said. 'As a rule I go to bed +early, as the children and I have a swim in the lake before breakfast +each morning.' + +'How are they taught other things besides swimming?' asked Miss +Delacour. + +'Taught?' echoed Lennox. 'For their ages they are well instructed. My +sister and I manage their education between us.' + +'George, I suppose you will end by marrying again. All men in your +class and with your disposition do so.' + +'Agnes, I forbid you to speak to me on that subject again. Once for +all, poor weak man as you consider me, I put down my foot, and will not +discuss that most painful subject. Lucy is the only wife I shall ever +have. I have, thank God, my sister and my sweet girls, and I do not +want anything more. I am a widower for life. Cecilia is a widow for +life. We rejoice in the thought of meeting the dear departed in a +happier world. Now try not to pain me any more. Good-night, Agnes. +You are a little--nay, _more_ than a little--trying.' + +'I've not an idea of going to bed yet,' said Miss Delacour, 'for I have +not divulged my scheme. You have got to listen to it, George, whether +you like it or not.' + +'I suppose I have,' said George Lennox. He sat down, and made a +violent struggle to restrain his impatience. + +'I will come to the matter at once,' said Miss Delacour. 'You know, or +perhaps you do not know, how I spend my life.' + +'I do not know, Agnes. You never write, and until to-day you have +never come to The Garden.' + +'Well, I have come now with a purpose. Pray don't fidget so +dreadfully, George. It is really bad style. I am noted in London for +moving in the very best society. I see the men of culture and +refinement, who are always remarked for the stillness of their +attitudes.' + +'Are they?' said George Lennox. 'Well, I can only say I am glad I +don't live there.' + +'How Lucy _could_ have taken to you?' remarked Miss Delacour. + +'Say those words again, Agnes, and _I_ shall go to bed. There are some +recent novels on the table, and you can read then till you feel sleepy.' + +'Thanks; I am never sleepy when I have work to do. My work is charity; +my work is philanthropy. You know quite well that I am blessed by God +with considerable means. Often and often I go to the Bank of England +and stand by the Royal Exchange and see those noble words, "_The earth +is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof._" George, those words are _my_ +text. Those words exemplify my work. "The earth is the Lord's." I +therefore, George, give of my abundance to the Lord, meaning thereby +the Lord's poor. I hate the Charity Organisation Society; but when I +see a man or a woman or even a child in our rank of life struggling +with dire poverty, when, after making strict inquiries, I find out that +the poverty is real, then I help that man, woman, or child. I live, +George, in a little house in Chelsea. I keep one servant, and one +only. I do not waste money on motor-cars or gardens or antiquated +mansions like this. I give to the Lord's poor. George, I am a very +happy woman.' + +'I am glad to hear it,' said Lennox. 'Since you entered my house, I +should not have known it but for your remark.' + +'Ah, indeed, I have cause for sorrow in your ridiculous house, +surrounded by your absurd children'---- + +'Agnes!' + +'I must speak, George. I have come here for the express purpose. Dear +little Lucy wrote to me during her short married life with regard to +the Upper Glen. She wrote happily, I must confess that. She spoke of +her children as though she loved them very dearly. Would she love them +if she were alive now?' + +'Agnes!' + +'George, I say--I declare--that she would _not_ love them. Brought up +without discipline, without education; called after silly flowers; told +by their father to be rude to me, their _aunt_! How could she love +them?' + +'Agnes, I try hard not to lose my temper; but if you go on much longer +in your present vein of talk, I greatly fear that it will depart.' + +'Then let it depart,' said Miss Delacour. 'Anything to rouse the man +who is going so madly, so cruelly, to work with regard to his family. +Now then, let me see. I am ever and always one who walks straight. I +am ever and always one who has an aim in view. My present aim is to +help another. There is a dear woman--a Mrs Macintyre--true Scotch. +You will like that, George. She has been left destitute. Her husband +died; her children died. She is alone, quite alone, in the world. She +has been most highly educated, and I have taken that dear thing up. +There are in the Upper Glen three houses, or, rather, palaces, I should +call them--one where you live, one where your sister, Mrs Constable, +lives. She seems a nice, sensible sort of woman, simple in her tastes +and devoted to her sons, except for the silly names she has given them. +But both The Paddock and The Garden are small in comparison with the +middle house, which has been unoccupied since before your marriage, +George. It is a spacious and beautiful place, and my intention--my +_firm intention_, remember--is to place Mrs Macintyre there and +establish a suitable school for your girls, for other girls. Your +girls can go to her as weekly boarders. I am not yet _quite_ sure +whether I shall admit the young Constables; but I may. Mrs Macintyre +is a magnificent woman. She will secure for your children, for the +other children, for the Constables, if _I_ permit it, the best masters +and mistresses from Edinburgh. You have a motor-car, have you not?' + +'Yes.' + +'You did not send it to meet your sister.' + +'I did not.' + +'Polite, I must say; but I forgive your bad manners. I proceed in the +true Christian spirit with my scheme. The middle house in the Upper +Glen belongs, as you know well, to the great Duke of Ardshiel. It is +sometimes called Ardshiel, but more often by the title The Palace of +the Kings. Since the sad tragedy which took place there, it has stood +empty, the Duke having many other country seats and avoiding this noble +mansion because of its associations. Well, George, you know all that +story; but when Mrs Macintyre came to me in her distress and poverty I +immediately thought of Ardshiel. I thought of it as the very place in +which to start a flourishing school, of which your girls could take +full advantage. + +'Accompanied by dear Mrs Macintyre, I went to see his Grace. I was +surprisingly successful in my interview. The Duke was quite charmed +with my suggestion. He was much taken also with Mrs Macintyre. In +short, he agreed to let the Palace of the Kings to my friend. I do not +think he will ask a high rent for the lovely place, and, from a very +broad hint he threw out, I expect he will give us the present +magnificent furniture. You will be expected to pay the rent--a mere +trifle. Your sister, if I admit a mixed school, will be asked to +subscribe five hundred pounds for the rearranging of the grounds. The +Duke will put the Palace into full repair, and with our united +aid--for, of course, I shall not keep back my mite--we shall have the +most flourishing school in Scotland opened and filled with pupils by +the middle of September. In fact, I consider the scheme settled. +There will be a large and flourishing school in your midst, for his +Grace would only do things in first-rate style. Now I consider the +matter accomplished. The school will be opened in September, and as I +really cannot stand any more of your fidgeting--such shocking style!--I +will wish you good-night. Of course, not a word of _thanks_ on your +part. I overlook all _those_ little politenesses. The righteous look +for their reward on _High_! Good-night, good-night! No arguments +to-night, pray. I do not wish to listen to your objections to-night. +You will naturally have them, but they will be overcome. Mrs Macintyre +is a pearl amongst women. Good-night, George; good-night.' + +Miss Delacour left the room. George Lennox did not go to bed that +night until very late. + +'Well,' he said to himself at last, 'I did not know I could be snubbed +by any one; but that woman, she drives me wild. However, I will call +my own children by the names I wish, and will _not_ assist her with her +school. _I_ to pay the rent, forsooth! I to send my darlings to +school, when I long ago made up my mind that they should never go to +one. Dear Cecilia to be robbed of five hundred pounds and that _pearl +of a woman_ established in our midst. Not quite, Agnes Delacour! We +of the Upper Glen resist. How I wish Hollyhock had been here to-night +when the woman attacked me! No wonder my Lucy could not abide her. +However, I am the master of my own money, and the father of my own +children. I must talk with Cecilia early to-morrow morning, or Agnes +will be at her. Dear Cecil, she would starve herself and her boys to +help any one, but she shall certainly get my views.' + +Alas, however, his optimism proved ill-founded, and it so happened that +Miss Delacour paid a very early call indeed on the following morning at +The Paddock, for she slept well and woke early, whereas the Honourable +George Lennox slept badly and awoke late. + +Mrs Constable was rather amazed at so early a visit from her brother's +sister-in-law. The boys rushed in, yelling the news. She was just +pouring out milk for her collection of Precious Stones when the +unabashed lady entered the spacious dining-room. + +'Ah, upon my word, a nice house!' said Miss Delacour. 'How cheerful +you make everything look, dear! As sister women we can appreciate the +little niceties of life, can we not?' + +'Yes, of course,' said Mrs Constable in her pleasant manner and with +her pretty, bright look. 'But what a long walk to take before +breakfast, Miss Delacour!' + +'I have come on behalf of my brother-in-law.' + +'Is George ill?' inquired Mrs Constable. + +Miss Delacour put her finger to her lip. Then she significantly +touched her brow. Going up to Mrs Constable, she begged to have a +special talk with her all alone. Mrs Constable had thought the woman +in the thistle gown very queer the night before, and the boys had +frankly detested her; but when that admirable philanthropist went up +and dropped a word into her ear she turned a little pale, and facing +her sons, said, 'Laddies, you had best go into the back dining-room and +sup your porridge. Run, laddies; run.' + +The boys gave their mother an adoring glance, scowled ferociously at +Miss Delacour, and left the room. Over their coffee, hot rolls, and +marmalade, Miss Delacour propounded her scheme--her great, her +wonderful scheme. + +It is well to be first in the field, and Miss Delacour could speak with +eloquence. She was a real philanthropist, and she appealed to the kind +heart of Mrs Constable. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +THE EARLY BIRD. + +There is, after all, nothing like being first in the field. The old +proverb of the early bird that catches the worm is correct. Miss +Delacour knew her ground. Miss Delacour had gauged her woman, and +when, about eleven o'clock that day, George Lennox walked across to The +Paddock, hoping to obtain the sympathy which he had never before been +refused by his sister, he was much amazed to find that Mrs Constable +was altogether on the other side. + +'What has come over you, Cecilia?' he remarked. 'Is it possible that +you have already seen my sister-in-law? Do you understand the sort of +woman that she is?' + +'I have seen her more than two hours ago, George,' replied Mrs +Constable, 'and, to be frank with you, I admire her very much. There +is no one to me like you, George, but women can see things which men +cannot. It seems to me that Miss Delacour is a woman with a great +heart, and she has taken pains to propound to me a scheme which I +consider most noble. In fact, I fully agree with her in the matter. I +cannot help doing so. Our children, our dear children, George, require +by now to be taught the great things of the world. Hitherto you and I +have taught them all we could. I do not deny that, until now, our +instruction was sufficient; but a time has arrived when they all need +the broader life. I, for one, will certainly help Miss Delacour to the +extent of five hundred pounds. The Duke is quite in favour of the +Palace of the Kings being made use of for so worthy an object, and will +give us the furniture, if not for _nothing_, at least for a very +trifling sum. Miss Delacour will herself provide the extra furniture +required for a school, and I further understand that the Duke will let +the old house and grounds for a merely nominal rent, which I think you, +George, being his kinsman through your dear wife, ought to supply. +Miss Delacour has secured the services of a most efficient +head-mistress, and the school will be run on truly noble lines--on the +very best lines, or the Duke would have nothing to do with it. As I am +willing to help Miss Delacour, she will allow my dear sons, for a +longer or shorter period, to enter the school so as to prepare for Eton +by-and-by. Home education is not enough, George, and the children will +be educated for the broader world, at our very doors. They will be +allowed to return to the home nest each Saturday until early Monday +morning. What could by any means be more advantageous?' + +'Oh dear,' exclaimed Lennox, '_what_ a woman Agnes is!' + +'What a noble woman! you mean.' + +'I do not mean that, by any means. I mean that she is clever and very +rich, and philanders with philanthropy. We know nothing, for instance, +of the proposed head-mistress, Mrs Macintyre.' + +'Yes, we do, through that really excellent woman, your sister-in-law. +George, you are sadly prejudiced.' + +'Cecil, you wrong me. Was she not my Lucy's half-sister, and did not +my dearest one suffer tortures at her hands?' + +'Ah! try to forget that part of the painful past. Well do I know what +your Lucy was to you, to me, to her little girls. _Try_, my dearest +brother, to be brave, and to take to your heart the text, "Vengeance is +mine, saith the Lord," and receive Miss Delacour's magnificent scheme +with a good grace.' + +'And the loss of a considerable yearly income, to say nothing of the +far deeper pain of parting from my children. Really, Cecilia, I did +think you would show more pity to a sadly lonely man.' + +'And I, also, am a sadly lonely woman, George; but I must not think of +myself in the matter of my beloved boys.' + +'You never do, and never could, Cecil; but that woman drives me nearly +wild.' + +'Dear George, try to think more kindly of her. She spoke, oh! _so_ +kindly of you; indeed, she spoke most affectionately. I could not +believe that you were inclined to be jealous, and even stingy.' + +Lennox rose. 'If being unwilling to deprive myself of several hundreds +a year for a total stranger, as well as parting from my dear little +lasses, is stingy, then I _am_ stingy, Cecilia; but let the matter +drop. I bow to the decrees of two women. When two women put their +heads together, what chance has poor man?' + +'Oh George,' said Mrs Constable, 'since my beloved husband was killed, +whom have I had to look to but you, my dearest brother? Believe me, +this _is_ a good cause. Your children and my children _need_ to mix +with the world. Jasper must soon go to a public school, but a year in +a mixed school will do him no harm. I have been deeply puzzled of late +as to what to do with my boys' future. Then comes unexpectedly a noble +woman who opens up a plan. It seems right; it seems correct. Our +children will mix with other children. They will know the world in the +way they _must_ first know it--namely, at school; and they will be, +remember, George, within a stone's-throw of us.' + +'You don't mean to say that they are to be weekly boarders?' remarked +the stricken man. + +'I do say it. That is her determination. The school will be a very +large one, and I am going to-day to meet Miss Delacour at Ardshiel in +order to see what improvements are necessary. Oh, dear, dear old boy, +if I _could_ remove that frown from your brow!' + +'You can't, Cecilia; so don't try. I am worsted by two women, the fate +of most men. I am very unhappy. I don't pretend to be anything else. +My sister-in-law has stolen a march on me, but at least there is one +thing on which I am determined. You, of course, Cecilia, can do as you +please, but I positively _refuse_ to send a child of mine to that place +until I have first had an interview with Mrs Macintyre.' + +'And that is most sensible of you, George. I shall wire to her and ask +her to come to The Paddock to-day. I shall be so glad to put her up +and make her happy. A woman in her case, with financial difficulties, +having lost husband and children, is so deeply to be pitied. My whole +heart aches for the poor, dear thing.' + +'Cecilia, I would not know you this morning. I must go back now to my +little girls. They at least are all my own; they at least dislike the +woman who has conquered your too kind heart.' + +'George, I have faithfully promised in your name and my own to visit +Ardshiel immediately after luncheon to-day. We have to see for +ourselves that the sad home of neglect and tragedy, which will soon be +filled with young and happy life, is in all respects suited to our +purpose.' + +'Oh dear, oh dear!' said George Lennox. 'Well, if I must, I must. Two +women against one man! I suppose I may be allowed to bring Hollyhock?' + +'Best not, on the first occasion. She irritates Miss Delacour.' + +'Oh, bother Miss Delacour!' exclaimed the Honourable George, who was +now at last thoroughly out of humour. 'Well, I'll meet you at +half-past two at Ardshiel, and I hope by then I may feel a little +calmer than I do at present.' + +As soon as George Lennox had gone, Mrs Constable sent a telegram to the +bereaved and distracted Mrs Macintyre, inviting her to make a speedy +visit to The Paddock. This telegram had only to go as far as +Edinburgh, for Miss Delacour had put her friend up in a shabby room in +a back-street in that city of rare beauty. The address had been given, +however, to Mrs Constable; and Mrs Macintyre, who was feeling very +depressed, and wondering if anything could come of her friend's scheme, +replied instanter: 'Will be with you by next train.' + +Mrs Constable made all preparations for her guest's arrival. The best +spare room was got ready. The finest linen sheets, smelling of +lavender, were spread on the soft bed. The room was a lovely one, and +in every respect a contrast to any Mrs Macintyre had used of late. + +As has been said, it was the custom for the Constables and the Lennoxes +to dine and spend the evening together. This was the night for The +Paddock, and Mrs Macintyre would therefore see not only the Honourable +George Lennox, but a goodly number of her future pupils. Miss Delacour +was a woman who in the moment of victory was not inclined to show off. +Having gained Mrs Constable, she was merciful to George, and said +nothing whatever to him with regard to the school, or with regard to +the advent of Mrs Macintyre. She knew well that that really good woman +would be at The Paddock that evening, and considered her task +practically accomplished. + +George Lennox, feeling sad at heart, but still trusting to the +incapability of Mrs Macintyre to undertake so onerous a charge, went +with his sister-in-law to meet Mrs Constable at the appointed hour at +Ardshiel that afternoon. When they joined Mrs Constable at the lodge +gate, he did not hear the one lady say to the other, 'The dear thing +will be with me in time for dinner.' + +'We dine at The Paddock to-night,' whispered Miss Delacour. 'How +marvellous are the ways of Providence! I can get back to London +to-morrow. Between ourselves, dear, I hate the Upper Glen, and +heartily dislike my brother-in-law.' + +'Oh! you must not speak of my brother like that,' said Mrs Constable. +'With the exception of my dear husband, there never was a man like my +brother George.' + +'As you think so much of him, perhaps he will help you by finding +husband No. 2,' said Miss Delacour in a tone which she meant to be +playful. She chuckled over her commonplace joke, having never +succeeded herself in finding even No. 1. But Mrs Constable's gentle +and beautiful gray eyes now flashed with a sudden fire, and the colour +of amazed anger rose into her cheeks. + +'Miss Delacour, you astonish and pain me indescribably when you speak +as you have just done. Little you know of my beloved Wallace. Had you +had the good fortune to meet so noble a man, you would perceive how +impossible it is for his widow, indeed his _wife_, as I consider +myself, to marry any one else. Never speak to me on that subject +again, please, Miss Delacour.' + +Miss Delacour saw that she had gone too far, and muttered to herself, +'Dear, dear, how _huffy_ these handsome widows are! But, all the same, +I doubt not that she _will_ marry again. Time will prove. For me, I +have no patience with these silly airs. But I see I must change the +subject.' Accordingly she deftly did so, and even asked to see a +portrait of the late gallant major. This request was, however, +somewhat curtly refused. + +'Only my laddies and myself see the picture of their blessed father,' +was the reply; and Miss Delacour could not but respect Mrs Constable +all the more for her gentle and yet firm dignity. + +Meanwhile the unhappy and lonely George Lennox, hating his +sister-in-law's scheme more and more, wandered away by himself, where +he could think matters over. + +'I never _could_ have believed that Cecil would abide tittle-tattle,' +he thought; 'but that woman Agnes would contaminate any one.' + +The ladies had now reached Ardshiel. It was, of course, considerably +out of repair, but was even now lovely, with the beauty of fallen +greatness. The majesty of the spacious grounds, the reflection of the +sun on the tragic lake, the fine effect of great mountains in the +distance, were as impressive as ever. It was clear that the walks, the +lawns, the terraces, the beds of neglected flowers, the great +glass-houses, could all soon be put to rights. + +Then within that house, where the footsteps of the young bride had +never been heard, were treasures innumerable and furniture which age +could only improve. The Duke had promised, if all turned out +satisfactorily, to hand over the furniture, the magnificent glass and +china, the silver even, and fine linen and napery of all sorts, as his +present to the school; but he insisted on a small rent being paid +yearly for the lovely place, and also demanded that a certain sum be +paid for the restoration of the grounds. Mrs Constable would repair +the grounds, while her brother would surely not refuse to pay the small +rent expected by the Duke for this most noble part of his property. +Miss Delacour hoped that she would establish her friend in the school +without much loss of her own property, but she was willing to add the +necessary school furniture, meaning the beds for the children and the +correct furniture for their rooms, also the downstairs school +furniture, such as desks and so forth. She expected to get them for a +sum equal to what Mrs Constable intended to spend--namely, five hundred +pounds. In this matter she thought herself most generous, and poor +George most mean. + +While the ladies were examining the interior of the great house, the +Honourable George Lennox walked through the place alone, taking good +care to keep away from the women. He walked all the time like one in a +dream. It seemed to him as though he saw ghosts all around him, not +only the ghost of his own peerless Lucy, and the other ghost of the +poor youth who early on his wedding morning was found, cold and dead, +floating on the waters of the mighty lake. Lennox spent much of the +time in the grounds of Ardshiel, and heard, to his delight, the +wrangling voices of the two women, hoping sincerely that the scheme of +having this house of almost royalty turned into a school would be +knocked on the head; for when were women, even the best of them, long +consistent in their ideas? + +Finally, however, the ladies did leave Ardshiel, the whole scheme of +turning Ardshiel into a school for lads and lasses marked out in Miss +Delacour's active mind. The attics would do for the children's +cubicles. The next floor would be devoted to class-rooms of all sorts +and descriptions, the ground floor would form the pleasure part of the +establishment, and the servants would have a wing quite apart. The +school could certainly be opened not later than September. The place +was made for a school for the upper classes. It seemed to grow under +the eyes of the two women into a delightful resort of youth, learning, +and happiness; but Mr Lennox became more opposed to the scheme each +moment. His one hope was that Mrs Macintyre might turn out to be +_impossible_, in which case these castles in the air would topple to +the ground. + +The three parted at the gates of Ardshiel, Miss Delacour and her +brother-in-law going one way, and Mrs Constable the other. + +'You won't forget, dear,' said Mrs Constable, nodding affectionately to +her new friend, 'to be in time for dinner this evening?' + +'Oh dear! I forgot that we were to dine with you, Cecilia,' said +George Lennox. + +'Well, don't forget it, George; and bring all the sweet Flowers with +you.' + +'Naturally, I should not come without them.' His tone was almost angry. + +'What a charming--what a sweet woman Mrs Constable is!' remarked his +sister-in-law. + +Lennox was silent. + +'George,' said Agnes, 'you're sulky.' + +'Doubtless I am. Most men would be who are cajoled as I have been into +paying the rent of that horrid house. Yes, you are a clever woman, +Agnes; but I can tell you once for all that not a single one of my +Flowers of the Garden shall enter that school if I do not approve of +the head-mistress.' + +'I said you were sulky,' repeated Miss Delacour. 'A sulky man is +almost as unpleasant as a fidgety man.' + +'To tell you frankly, Agnes, I keenly dislike being played the fool +with. You saw Cecilia Constable this morning. You won her round to +your views when I was asleep.' + +'Ha, ha!' laughed Miss Delacour. 'I repeat, she is a sweet woman, and +her boys shall go to the school.' + +'I thought it was a girls' school.' + +'For her dear sake,' replied Miss Delacour, 'it will be a mixed school. +Oh, I feel happy! The Lord is directing me.' + +They arrived at The Garden, where five gloomy little girls gazed +gloomily at their aunt. + +'I do wonder when she 'll go,' whispered Hollyhock. 'Look at Dumpy +Dad; he's perfectly miserable. If she does not clear out soon, I 'll +turn her out, that I will.' + +When tea was over, the children and their father went into the spacious +grounds, rowed on the lake, and were happy once more, their peals of +merriment reaching Miss Delacour as she drew up plans in furtherance of +her scheme. + +By-and-by the children went upstairs to dress for dinner. Their dress +was very simple, sometimes white washing silk, sometimes pink silk, +equally soft, sometimes very pale-blue silk. To-night they chose to +appear in their pink dresses. + +'It will annoy the old crab,' thought Hollyhock. + +They always walked the short distance between The Garden and The +Paddock. + +Miss Delacour put on her 'thistle' gown, assisted by Magsie, who +ingratiatingly declared that she looked 'that weel ye hardly kent her.' + +'You are a good girl, Margaret,' answered Miss Delacour, 'and if I can +I will help you in life.' + +'Thank ye, my leddy; thank ye.' + +The entire family started off for The Paddock, and on arrival there, to +the amazement and indeed sickening surprise of the Honourable George +Lennox, were immediately introduced to Mrs Macintyre, who turned out to +be, to his intense disappointment, a quiet, sad, lady-like woman, tall +and slender, and without a trace of the Scots accent about her. She +was perfect as far as speech and manner were concerned. + +Mrs Macintyre, however, knew well the important part she had to play. +At dinner she sat next to Mr Lennox, and devoted herself to him with a +sort of humble devotion, speaking sadly of the school, but assuring him +that if he _could_ induce himself to entrust his beautiful little +Flower Girls to her care, she would leave no stone unturned to educate +them according to his own wishes, and to let them see as much of their +father as possible. + +Lennox began to feel that he preferred Mrs Macintyre to his +sister-in-law or even to his sister, Mrs Constable, at that moment. +The woman undoubtedly was a lady. How great, how terrible, had been +her sorrow! And then she spoke so prettily of his girls, and said that +the flower names were altogether _too charming_, and nothing would +induce her to disturb them. + +It was on the lips of Lennox to say, 'I am not going to send my girls +to your school,' but he found, as he looked into her sad dark eyes, +that he could not dash the hopes of such a woman to the ground. He was +therefore silent, and the evening passed agreeably. + +Immediately after dinner Mrs Macintyre sat at the piano and sang one +Scots song after another. She had a really exquisite voice, and when +'Robin Adair' and 'Ye Banks and Braes' and 'Annie Laurie' rang through +the old hall, the man gave himself up to the delight of listening. He +stood by her and turned the pages of music, while the two ladies, Mrs +Constable and Miss Delacour, looked on with smiling faces. Miss +Delacour knew that her cause was won, and that she might with safety +leave the precincts of the horrible Garden to-morrow. How miserable +she was in that spot! Yes, her friend's future was assured, and she +herself must go to Edinburgh and to London to secure sufficiently +aristocratic pupils for the new school. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +THE HEAD-MISTRESS. + +It was, after all, Mrs Macintyre who made the school a great success. +Her gentleness, her sweet and noble character, overcame every +prejudice, even of Mr Lennox. When she said that she thought his +children and their flower names beautiful, the heart of the good man +was won. Later in the evening, when the lively little party of +Lennoxes, accompanied, of course, by Miss Delacour, went back to The +Garden, his sister-in-law called him aside, and informed him somewhat +brusquely of the fact that she was leaving for London on the following +day. + +'Mrs Macintyre will remain behind,' she said. 'I gave her at parting +five hundred pounds. You will do your part, of course, George, unless +you are an utter fool.' + +George Lennox felt so glad at the thought of parting from Miss Delacour +that he almost forgave her for calling him a possibly utter fool; nay, +more, in his joy at her departure, he nearly, but not _quite_, kissed +his sister-in-law. + +Every attention was now paid to this good lady. At a very early hour +on the following morning the motor-car conveyed her to Edinburgh. It +seemed to the Lennoxes, children and father alike, that when Aunt Agnes +departed the birds sang a particularly delightful song, the roses in +the garden gave out their rarest perfume, the sweet-peas were a glory +to behold, the sky was more blue than it had ever been before; in +short, there was a happy man in The Garden, a happy man with five +little Flower Girls. How _could_ he ever bring himself to call his +Jasmine, Lucy; his Gentian, Margaret; his Hollyhock, Jacqueline; his +Rose of the Garden, mere Rose; and his Delphinium, Dorothy? + +'Oh, isn't it good that she's gone?' cried Jasmine. + +'Your aunt has left us, and we mustn't talk about her any more,' said +Lennox, whose relief of mind was so vast that he could not help +whistling and singing. + +'Why, Daddy Dumps, you _do_ look jolly,' said Hollyhock. + +'We are all jolly--it is a lovely day,' said Mr Lennox. + +So they had a very happy breakfast together, and joked and laughed, and +forgot Aunt Agnes and her queer ways. The only person who slightly +missed her was Magsie, on whom she had bestowed a whole sovereign, +informing her at the same time that she, Margaret, might expect good +tidings before long. + +'Whatever does she mean?' thought Magsie. 'She has plenty to say. I +didn't tak' to her at first, but pieces o' gold are no to be had every +day o' the week, and she has a generous heart, although I can see the +master is not much taken wi' her.' + +The Flower Girls and their father were rowing on the lake, when a shout +from the shore called them to stop. There stood Mrs Constable; there +stood Mrs Macintyre; there also stood in a group Jasper, Garnet, +Emerald, Sapphire, and Opal. + +'Come ashore, come ashore,' called Jasper; and the boat was quickly +pulled toward the little landing-stage. + +The ten happy children romped away together. + +'Isn't it good that she's gone?' said Hollyhock. 'Isn't she a +downright horror?' + +'But mother says she means well,' said Jasper; 'and who could be nicer +than Mrs Macintyre?' + +'I suppose not,' said Hollyhock. 'Is she going to stay with Aunt Cecil +long, Jasper?' + +'Long? Why, don't you know the news?' + +'What? Oh, do tell us!' cried Delphinium. + +'She's going to stay for ever,' said Jasper, 'except of course in the +holidays. She has taken Ardshiel, and she is going to turn it into a +great school, a great, monstrous, magnificent school; and we are _all_ +going--we, and you, and heaps more children besides; and mother is +nearly off her head with delight. Of course, as far as I am concerned, +I shall only be able to stay at such a school for one year, for I must +then go on to a public school. But Mrs Macintyre has been talking to +mother, and says she can prepare me for Eton with perfect ease in a +year from now.' + +'Oh, bother!' said Jasmine. 'We don't want other boys and girls. We +are quite happy by ourselves.' + +'But mother thinks we must mix with the world, girls; and so does Mrs +Macintyre,' continued Jasper. + +'Well, I'm not going to school, anyhow,' said Hollyhock. 'You and your +mother may go into raptures over Mrs Macintyre as much as ever you +please, but I stay at home with Dumpy Dad. Why should _he_ be left out +in the cold? He is the dearest Dump in the world, and I 'm not going +to have him slighted. You are very fond of romancing, Jasper, and I +don't believe a word of your story.' + +'All right,' said Jasper, looking with his honest, Scots face full into +the eyes of Hollyhock. 'There they are--the principals, I mean.' + +'Principals! What nonsense you do talk!' + +'I mean my mother, your father, and Mrs Macintyre.' + +'And what are they principals of?' asked the angry girl. + +'Why, the school, of course.' + +'The school? There's no school.' + +'Well, let's run and ask them. Hearing is believing, surely.' + +The ten children raced after Mrs Macintyre, Mr Lennox, and Mrs +Constable. + +'Daddy,' exclaimed Hollyhock, 'there's not going to be a school set up +near here? You are not going to send your Flower Girls to school?' + +'Wouldn't you like me to help you a little, darling?' said Mrs +Macintyre in her gentle voice. 'You look such an intelligent, pleasant +girl, and I would do all in my power for you; and although your father +and Mrs Constable are quite wonderful in educating you so far, I think +a little outside life, outside teaching, and the meeting with outside +boys and girls would be for your benefit, dear child. I do, really! I +don't think you'll oppose me, Hollyhock, when your father wishes it.' + +'Dumpy Dad, do you wish it?' + +'Well--ah, _yes_, I think it would be a good plan,' said George Lennox. + +'Then I'm done,' said Hollyhock. 'Where's Magsie? She's the only bit +of comfort left to me. Let me seek her out and put a stop to this +madness.' Hollyhock really felt very, very angry. She was not yet +under Mrs Macintyre's charm. 'Where's my brave Magsie?' she cried, and +presently she heard an answering voice. + +'Eh, but is that you, Miss Hollyhock? Why, lassie, you look pale. +Your eyes waver. I don't like ye to look so white in the complexion. +What may ye be wantin' wi' me, my lass?' + +'They are trying to whip me off to school,' said Hollyhock; 'that's +what they are after. That's what that horrid Aunt Agnes came about.' + +'Eh, but she is a fine gentlewoman,' replied Magsie. 'She gave me a +whole sovereign. What _I_ ken o' her, I ken weel, and I ken kind. Eh, +but ye 'll hae to soople your backbone, Miss Hollyhock, and think a +pickle less o' your dainty self. It 'll be guid for ye to go to that +schule.' + +'_You_ are no good at all,' cried Hollyhock. 'I 'm the most miserable +girl in the world, and I hate Mrs Macintyre.' + +'I haven't set eyes on her yet,' said Magsie. 'Suppose I go out and +tak' a squint. I can always tell when women are good or the other +thing. Why, Miss Hollyhock, you look for all the world as though you +were scared by bogles; but I 'll soon see what sort the leddy is, and I +'ll bring ye word; for folks canna tak' in Magsie Dawe.' + +Hollyhock sat down, feeling very queer and stupid. She had not long to +wait before Magsie dashed into her bedroom. + +'Hoots, now, and what a fuss ye mak' o' nothing at a'! A kinder leddy +never walked. What ails her? says I. Indeed, I think ye 'll enjoy +schule, and muckle fun ye 'll hae there. Ye canna go on as ye are +goin'. Hech! I wouldna be you, stayin' at hame, for a guid deal. +It's richt for ye to gang; that's what I think, havin' seen the leddy +and glowerin' at her as I did; but not one thocht but o' love could +rise in my breast for her. I'd gie a guid deal for her to teach _me_, +that I would. I wouldna sit down and greet like a bairn.' + +Meanwhile Miss Delacour, having thoroughly propounded her scheme, +returned first to Edinburgh, where she made known her plan of the great +school, which was to be opened in September for the young sons and the +daughters of the highest gentry and nobility. She was a woman who +could speak well when she pleased. She said the terms for the school +education would be high, as was to be expected where such excellent +teaching would be given. + +She spoke of Mrs Macintyre with tears in her eyes. 'That noble woman +would win any heart,' she said. She then described her +brother-in-law's daughters, and the sons of her brother-in-law's +sister. She spoke of these ten children with enthusiasm. She spoke of +the mother of the boys with delight. She was a little sad when she +mentioned her brother-in-law. It was really necessary to save his +pretty girls. He was a man who meant well, but acted foolishly. The +school would be superb--the very first of its kind in Scotland. She +wanted English children to come to it. She wanted it for a short time +to be a mixed school, but that scheme would probably die out +eventually. Her great object at the present moment was to secure +worthy pupils for her dear friend, and to introduce the very best boys +and girls into the Palace of the Kings, one of the most beautiful homes +of the great Duke of Ardshiel. The terms for weekly pupils would +necessarily be high--namely, two hundred pounds a year; while the terms +for those boys and girls who spent all their time, excluding the +holidays, at the great school would be still higher, even as much as +two hundred and fifty pounds a year. But the education was worth the +price, for where was there another school in the whole of the United +Kingdom to compare with the Palace of the Kings? The very best +teachers from Edinburgh would come, if necessary, to the school; and +what centre so great as Edinburgh for learning? The best foreign +governesses were to be employed. An elderly tutor or two were also to +live in the house. These were to be clergymen and married men. + +Having done her work in Edinburgh, Miss Delacour proceeded to London, +and soon had the happiness of securing Master Henry de Courcy Anstel, +the Lady Leucha Villiers, the Lady Barbara Fraser, the Lady Dorothy +Fraser, the Hon. Daisy Watson, Miss Augusta Fane, Miss +Featherstonhaugh, Miss Margaret Drummond, Master Roger Carden, Master +Ivor Chetwode, Miss Mary Barton, Miss Nancy Greenfield, Miss Isabella +Macneale, and Miss Jane Calvert. There were many more to follow, but +she felt that she had done well for her friend with this number, and +that the noble old Palace was well started. + +After a few days spent first with Mrs Constable and then with Mr +Lennox, and having heard the good news from her friend Miss Delacour, +Mrs Macintyre went to London to select suitable teachers. The school +was put into the hands of the best decorators, upholsterers, and +builders. The furniture was polished; the gardens were remade; in +short, all was in readiness for that happy day in September when the +greatest private school in Scotland was to be opened, and opened with +éclat. + +The parents of the children were all invited to see the great school +the day before lessons began, and they could not help expressing their +delight with the lovely place. The gentlemanly little Constables and +the charming little Flower Girls were present, and gave a delightful +effect. Even Hollyhock condescended to go to the school on this one +occasion to see what it was like, more particularly as that horrid +Magsie was going there as one of the maids. As for the rest of the +Lennoxes, they were simply wild to go to school, and Mr Lennox was now +as keen to see them there as he had at first been opposed to the whole +idea. But he was the sort of man who would force none of his children, +and if Hollyhock preferred to stay at home with him--why, she might. +He rather suspected that she would soon come round. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE OPENING OF THE GREAT SCHOOL. + +The parents of the pupils were more than delighted at the thought of +their children being educated in such a home of beauty and romance. + +Now Ardshiel, by means of Miss Delacour and Mrs Macintyre, had been +very much spoken of before the opening day. Those English girls and +boys who were to go there, and the girls and boys from Edinburgh, were +all wild with delight; and, in truth, it would be difficult to find a +more lovely place than that which Ardshiel had been turned into. The +story of the drowned man and the deep lake and the mourning bride was +carefully buried in oblivion. Magsie of course knew the story, but +Magsie wisely kept these things to herself; and even Mrs Macintyre, the +mistress of the school, had not been told the story. + +On a Monday in the middle of September Ardshiel looked gay of the gay. +The sun shone with great brilliancy. The French mesdemoiselles, the +Swiss fräuleins, and the gentle Italian signorinas were all present. +In addition there were English mistresses and some teachers who had +taken high degrees at Edinburgh University. Certainly the place was +charming. The trees which hung over the tranquil lake, the lovely +walks where girls and boys alike could pace up and down, the +tennis-courts, the hockey-field, the football-ground reserved for the +boys, and the lacrosse-field designed for both girls and boys, gave +promise of intense enjoyment; and when the guests sat down to +lunch--such a lunch as only Mrs Macintyre could prepare--they felt that +they were indeed happy in having secured such a home for the education +and delight of their darlings. + +Hollyhock and her sisters sat in a little group at one side of the long +table, and a lady, the mother of Master Roger Carden, spoke to +Hollyhock, congratulating her on her rare good luck in going to such a +school. + +'I'm not going to this stupid old Palace,' said Hollyhock. + +'Why, my dear, are you not going? Besides, I thought the name of the +place was Ardshiel.' + +'Oh, they re-called it,' replied Hollyhock, tossing her mane of black +hair from her head. 'Anyhow, one name is as good as another, I 'm +going to stay with my Dumpy Dad.' + +'Who is "Dumpy Dad"?' asked Lady Jane Carden. + +'Don't you dare to call him by that name,' said the indignant +Hollyhock. 'He's my father; he's the Honourable George Lennox. I'm +not going to leave him for any Ardshiel that was ever made.' + +'What a pity!' said Lady Jane. 'My boy Roger will be so disappointed. +He 's coming to the school, you know.' + +'Is he? I don't think much of boys coming to girls' schools.' + +'I'm afraid, my dear little girl,' said Lady Jane, 'that you yourself +want school more than most. You don't know how to behave to a lady.' + +'I know how to behave to Dumpy Dad, and that's all I care about.' + +Nothing further was said to Hollyhock, but she noticed that Lady Jane +Carden was speaking to another friend of hers, and glancing at +Hollyhock with scant approval as she did so. It seemed to Hollyhock +that she was saying, 'That's not at all a nice or polite little girl.' + +Hollyhock was vexed, because she had a great pride, and did not wish +even insignificant people like Lady Jane Carden to speak against her. + +The great inspection of the school came to an end, and the children +were to assemble there as soon as possible on the morrow. Mrs +Macintyre, however, declared that there would be no lessons until the +following day. This greatly delighted the four Flower Girls and the +five Precious Stones, and they all started off in the highest spirits +to their new school next morning. Oh, was it not fun, glorious fun, to +go to Ardshiel and yet be close to mummy and daddy all the time? Their +father had specially forbidden his Flower Girls to make any remarks to +Hollyhock about her not going with the others to school. + +'Leave her alone, children, and she 'll come round,' was his remark. +'Do the reverse, and we'll have trouble with her.' + +As soon as the children had departed to Ardshiel, Hollyhock and her +father found themselves alone. She looked wildly round her for a +minute; then she dashed into the pine-wood, flung herself on the ground +among the pine-needles, and gave vent to a few choking sobs. Oh, why +was she so fearfully lonely; why was this horrid Ardshiel invented; why +were her sisters taken from her, and her brothers, as she called the +Precious Stones? Of course she still had Dumpy Dad, and he was a host +in himself. She brushed violently away some fast-flowing tears, and +then dashed into the hall. As a rule the hall was a very lively place. +If it was at all cold weather there was a great fire in the ingle-nook, +and a girl was sure to be found in the hall playing on the grand piano +or on the beautiful organ, or singing in her sweet voice; but now all +was deadly silence. Even the dogs, Curfew and Tocsin, were nowhere to +be seen. There was no Magsie to talk to. Magsie had gone over to the +enemy. + +Hollyhock ran up to her own room, for each Flower Girl had a room to +herself in the great house. She brushed back her jet-black hair; she +tidied her little blouse as well as she could, and even tied a crimson +ribbon on one side of her hair; and then, feeling that she looked at +least a little bewitching, and that Ardshiel mattered nothing at all to +her, and that if her sisters chose to be fools--well, let them be +fools, she flew down to her father's study. + +Now this was the hour when George Lennox devoted himself, as a rule, to +his accounts; this was the hour when, formerly, Mrs Constable came over +to fetch the children for their lessons. But there was no sign of Mrs +Constable coming to-day, and Dumpy Dad only raised his head, glanced at +his miserable child, and said sharply, 'I can't be interrupted now, +Hollyhock. You'd better go out and play in the garden.' + +'But I 've no one to play with,' said Hollyhock. + +'You must leave me, my dear child. I shall be particularly busy for +the next couple of hours. In the afternoon we can go for a ride +together. It's rather cold to row on the lake to-day. Now go, +Hollyhock. You are interrupting me.' + +'Dumpy Dad!' faltered Hollyhock, her usually happy voice quavering with +sadness. + +Lennox took not the slightest notice, but went on with his accounts. + +'This is unbearable,' thought Hollyhock. 'If dad chooses to spend his +mornings over horrid arithmetic instead of looking after me, when I 've +given up so much for his sake, I'll just run away, that I will; but as +to going to Ardshiel, to be crowed over by Magsie, catch _me_!' + +Hollyhock pulled the crimson bow out of her dark hair, let the said +hair blow wildly in the breeze, stuck on her oldest and shabbiest hat, +which she knew well did not become her in the least, and went to The +Paddock. She was quite longing to do her usual lessons with Aunt +Cecil. In order to reach The Paddock she had, however, to pass +Ardshiel, and the shrieks of laughter and merriment that reached her as +she hurried by were anything but agreeable to her ears. + +'Jasmine _might_ have more feeling,' thought the angry girl. 'Gentian +might think of her poor lonely sister. Delphinium ought by rights to +be sobbing instead of laughing. We were always such friends; but +there, if this goes on, Scotland won't see much more of me. I used to +be all for the bonnie Highlands, but I 'm not that any more. I 'll go +to cold London and take a place as kitchen-maid. I won't be treated as +though I were a nobody, I 'll earn my own bread, I will, and then +perhaps Dump will be sorry. To do so much for a man, and for that man +to absorb himself in arithmetic, is more than a girl can stand.' + +Hollyhock reached The Paddock between eleven and twelve o'clock. She +marched in boldly to see Mrs Constable employed over some needlework, +which she was doing in a very perfect manner. + +'I thought you were coming to teach me this morning, Aunt Cecilia,' +said the girl in a tone of reproach. + +Mrs Constable raised her soft gray eyes. 'My dear child,' she said, +'didn't you know that your father and I are not going to teach you any +more? All the teaching in this place will be at Ardshiel.' + +'Then how am I to learn?' said Hollyhock, in a tone of frightened +amazement. + +'Naturally,' replied Mrs Constable, 'by going to Ardshiel.' + +'Never!' replied the angry girl. 'I 'm not wanted. I can make my own +plans. Good-bye. I _hate_ every one.' + +Hollyhock made a dash toward the door, but Mrs Constable called her +back. + +'Won't you help me with this needlework, dear? I should enjoy your +company. I miss my Precious Stones so much.' + +'Fudge!' replied Hollyhock. 'I 'm not going to comfort you for your +Precious Stones. Great boobies, I call them, going to a mixed school.' + +She dashed away from The Paddock. Again, on her way home, Hollyhock +was entertained by the sounds of mirth at Ardshiel. On this occasion a +number of girls were playing tennis, and her own sisters, Jasmine and +Gentian, blew rapturous kisses to her. This seemed to the unhappy +child to be the last straw. + +'Who is that girl?' asked Ivor Chetwode. + +'She _is_ my sister,' replied Jasmine. + +'Your sister! Then whyever doesn't she come to this splendid school?' + +'Oh, we 'll get her yet, Ivor.' + +'We must,' said Ivor. 'I can see by her face that she 'll be no end of +fun.' + +'Fun!' replied Jasmine. 'She 's the very life of The Garden.' + +'The Garden? What do you mean by The Garden?' + +'That's where we happen to live,' replied Jasmine. + +'You are not a weekly pupil, are you, Ivor?' + +'No, alas! I 'm not. My home's too far away.' + +'Well,' said Jasmine, 'I 'll beg Mrs Macintyre to let me invite you to +dine with us at The Garden on Sunday.' + +'But will your sister scowl at me, the same as when you kissed hands to +her just now?' asked Ivor. + +'Oh no; but you must be very polite to her. You must try to coax her +in your manly way to become a pupil at the school.' + +'Well, I 'll do my best,' said Ivor Chetwode. 'She is certainly +handsome, but she has a scowl that I don't like.' + +'Well, try not to speak against her, Ivor. Remember she is my sister.' + +'I am awfully sorry, Jasmine, and I do think you 're a ripping kind of +girl.' + +Hollyhock sat down to the midday meal at The Garden in exceedingly low +spirits, but her father had now got through what she called his +arithmetic, and was full of mirth. He ate heartily and laughed +heartily, and said in his most cheery voice, 'Well, my pet Hollyhock, +you and your Dumpy Dad must make the best of each other.' + +'Oh Dumps, do you _want_ me to stay with you?' + +'Why not? What do you think?' + +'Dumpy, I've had a miserable morning.' + +'I 'm sorry for that, my little Flower; but it need not happen again. +You ought not to be unhappy. You 'll have holidays always from now +onwards.' + +'Oh daddy, am I never to learn anything more?' + +'Well, I don't exactly know how you can. The teaching goes on at +Ardshiel, and as you naturally wish to stay with your father, and as I +naturally wish to keep you, and as the expense of sending my other +Flowers to such a costly school is very great, I have undertaken some +estate work, which must occupy a good deal of my time. Your aunt, too, +dear woman, has secured a post as kindergarten teacher at the great +school. Therefore, my little Hollyhock will have holidays for ever. +She will be our little dunce. Think how jolly that will be!' + +Hollyhock felt a dreadful lump in her throat. She managed, however, to +eat, and she struggled hard to hide her great chagrin. + +'For the rest of the afternoon I am entirely at your service, my +child,' said Mr Lennox. 'I think it is just precisely the day for a +good long ride on Lightning Speed and Ardshiel. There's a fine, +bright, fresh air about, and it will put roses into your bonnie cheeks. +Get on your habit and we 'll go for a long ride.' + +This was better; this was reviving. The horses were led out by the +groom. Hollyhock, who could ride splendidly, was soon seated on the +back of her glorious Arab, Lightning Speed. Her father looked +magnificent beside her on Ardshiel, and away they started riding fast +across country. + +They returned home after an hour or two with ravenous appetites, to +find that Duncan, the old serving-man, had lit a great fire of logs in +the hall, and that Tocsin and Curfew were in their usual places, +enjoying the blaze. + +Hollyhock tossed off her little cap and sat down to enjoy tea and +scones to her heart's delight. She now felt that she had done right +not to go to Ardshiel. Her voice rang with merriment, and her father +joined her in her mirth. + +But when tea came to an end Lord Ian Douglas, the gentleman of vast +estates whom Mr Lennox was to help as agent, appeared on the scene, and +Hollyhock was forgotten. She was introduced to Lord Ian, who gave her +a very distant bow, and began immediately to talk to his new agent +about crops and manures, turnips, cattle, pigs, all sorts of impossible +and disgusting subjects, according to the angry little Hollyhock. + +Lord Ian did not go away for some hours, and when at last he departed +it was time to dress for dinner. But how Hollyhock did miss the +Precious Stones and The Garden girls! How dull, how gloomy, was the +house! She tried in vain to eat her dinner with appetite, but she saw +that her father looked full of preoccupation, that he hardly regarded +her; in fact, the one and only speech that he made to her was this: +'Douglas is a good sort, and he has given me a vast lot to do. It will +help to pay for the Flowers' education; but I greatly fear, my +Hollyhock, that you will be a great deal alone. In fact, the whole of +to-morrow I have to spend at Dundree, Lord Ian's place. I wish I could +take you with me, my darling; but that is impossible, and I must leave +you now, for I have to look over certain accounts which Lord Ian +brought with him. This is a very lucky stroke of business for me. +Your Dumpy Dad can do a great deal for his Flower Girls by means of +Lord Ian.' + +'I hate the man!' burst from Hollyhock's lips. + +If her father heard, he took no notice. He calmly left the room. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +HOLLYHOCK LEFT IN THE COLD. + +The fire burned brightly in the ingle-nook, and the dogs, Tocsin and +Curfew, slept in perfect peace in close proximity to its grateful heat; +but Hollyhock was alone--utterly alone. She felt more miserable than +she had ever believed it possible to be in her hitherto joyous life. +She drew up a chair near the hearth, and the dogs came and sniffed at +her; but what were they, compared to Jasmine, Delphinium, and the +Precious Stones? As to Dumpy Dad, she could never have believed that +he would treat his little girl in such a heartless manner. Had she not +given up all for him, and was this her reward? + +She felt a great lump in her throat, and a very fierce anger burned +within her breast. What right had Dumpy Dad and Aunt Cecilia to +forsake the only child who was true to them? The others were off and +away at their learning and their fun, perchance; but she, Hollyhock, +the faithful and the true, had remained at home when the others had +deserted it. She had been firm and decided, and here was her +reward--the reward of utter desolation. + +'Get away, Curfew,' she said, as the faithful greyhound pushed his long +nose into her hand. + +Curfew raised gentle, pleading brown eyes to her face; but being of the +sort that never retorts, he lay down again, with a sigh of +disappointment, close to Tocsin. He, too, was feeling the change, for +he was a very human dog, and missed the Flower Girls and the Precious +Stones, and the dear, dear master and Mrs Constable, just as Hollyhock +did. + +But what was the use of making a fuss? According to Curfew's creed, it +was wrong to grumble. Hollyhock did not want him. He lay down with +his long tail on Hollyhock's frock, and his beautiful head pressed +against Tocsin's neck. Tocsin was a magnificent bloodhound, and he was +the greatest support and comfort to Curfew at the present crisis. + +By-and-by Mr Lennox passed hurriedly through the hall. He was going +into his special library to get some books. He saw the melancholy +figure of Hollyhock seated not far from the great fire, and the +faithful dogs lying at her feet. He said in his most cheerful tone, +'Hallo, my little girl! you and the dogs do make a pretty picture; but +why don't you play the organ or sing something at the piano?' + +'You know, daddy, I have no real love for music,' said Hollyhock in a +cross voice. + +'Well, well, then, take a book, my child. Here 's a nice story I can +recommend you--_Treasure Island_, by Louis Stevenson.' + +'I hate reading,' she said. + +'Well, I'm afraid I can't help you, dear. I'm frightfully busy, and +shall not get to bed until past midnight. Taking up this new work +means a great deal, and you know, my Flower Girl, your Dumpy Dad, as +you like to call him, is the very last person in the world to do a +thing by halves. If I have to sit up till morning, I must do so in +order to be prepared for Dundree and Lord Ian to-morrow. Perhaps, +dear, you had best kiss me and say good-night.' + +'Daddy--daddy--I 'm so--miserable!' + +'Sorry, my child; but I can't see why you should be. You have all the +comforts that love and sympathy can bestow upon you.' + +'No, no; I am alone,' half sobbed Hollyhock. + +'Don't get hysterical, my child. That is really very bad for you; but, +anyhow, I 've no time to waste now over a little girl who is surrounded +by blessings.' + +'If Daddy Dumps goes on much longer in that strain I shall absolutely +begin to hate him,' thought the furious child. 'The bare idea of his +_thinking_ of talking to me as he has done.--No, Curfew, _don't_! Put +your cold nose away.' + +Curfew heaved another heavy sigh and lay closer to Tocsin, and with a +smaller portion of his tail on Hollyhock's dress. + +Now the olden custom at The Garden and The Paddock--that lovely custom +which had suddenly ceased--was music, dancing, games, fun, shrieks of +laughter from Precious Stones and Flower Girls, the hearty peal of a +man's voice when he was thoroughly enjoying himself, the gentle, +restrained merriment of a lady. This lady was Mrs Constable, who was +now going to be a kindergarten teacher, forsooth! And this man was +Dumpy Dad, who was going to be an agent, indeed! No wonder the girl +and the dogs felt lonely. The end of the happy evenings had arrived. +One evening used to be spent at The Garden, the next at The Paddock; +and then the delightful good-byes, the cheerful talk about the early +meeting on the morrow, and if it was the evening for The Paddock, the +lively and merry walk home with Daddy Dumps and the other Flower Girls. + +Oh, how things were changed! What an unbearable woman Aunt Agnes was! +What a horror was Mrs Macintyre! Had not those two between them simply +swept four of the Flower Girls out of sight, and _all_ the Precious +Stones; and, in addition, had not Dumpy Dad and Aunt Cecilia undertaken +some kind of menial work with regard to Dundree and Ardshiel? It was +solely and entirely because of Ardshiel that Dumpy Dad was going to be +an agent. It was entirely on account of Ardshiel that Aunt Cecilia was +going to stoop to be a sort of nursery-governess. Well and cleverly +had those wicked women, Aunt Agnes and Mrs Macintyre, laid their plans. +'But the plans o' the de'il never prosper,' thought Hollyhock. +'They'll come to their senses yet; but meanwhile what am _I_ to do? +How ever am I to stand this awful loneliness?' Hollyhock was not a +specially clever child. She was passionate, fierce, and loving; but +she was also rebellious and very determined. There was a great deal in +her which might make her a fine woman by-and-by; but, on the other +hand, there was much in her which showed that she could be, and might +be, utterly ruined. + +Suddenly a wild and naughty idea entered her brain. Nothing, not all +the coaxing, not all the petting, not all the language in all the +world, would get her to go to Ardshiel as a pupil; but might she not go +there now, and peep in at the windows and see for herself what was +going on, what awful process was transforming the Flower Girls and the +Precious Stones into other and different beings? + +Her father had said good-night to her, but it was still quite +early--between eight and nine o'clock. The Ardshielites, those wicked +ones, would still be up. She would have time to go there, to look in +and see for herself what was going on. + +She was the sort of girl who did nothing by halves. The servants had +no occasion to come into the hall again that night. Ah yes, here was +Duncan; she had better say something to him in order to lull his +suspicions. + +The old man came in and began to close the shutters. 'Don't ye sit up +ower long, Miss Hollyhock. Ye must be feelin' a bit dowy without the +ithers, bless them.' + +'No, I don't, Duncan,' replied Hollyhock. 'But, all the same, I 'd +best go to bed, I expect.' + +'Weel, that 's exactly what I 'm thinkin',' said the old man. 'Ye 'll +gang to your rest and have a fine sleep. That's what a body wants when +she's eaten up wi' loneliness. I ken fine that ye are missin' the +ithers, lassie.' + +'I'm not missing them a bit,' replied Hollyhock. 'As if I could miss +_traitors_.' + +'Come, come, noo; don't be talkin' that way.' Here Duncan shut the +great shutters with a bang. 'Why should a young maid talk so ignorant? +Ye 'll be a' richt yet, lassie; but there, ye 're lonesome, my bonnie +dearie.' + +'Suppose, now, you had been me, Duncan, what would you have done?' said +Hollyhock suddenly. + +'Why, gone to Ardshiel, of course.' + +'Duncan, I hate you. You 're another traitor.' + +'No, I'm no,' said Duncan; 'but I ken what's richt, and I ken what's +wrang, and when a little lass chooses betwixt and between, why, I says +to myself, says I, "Halt a wee, and the cantie lass'll come round," +says I. Shall I take the dogs or no, Miss Hollyhock?' + +'Yes, take them; I don't want them,' said Hollyhock. + +'The poor maister, he's that loaded wi' work.-- Come away, doggies; +come away.-- Guid-nicht to ye, missie; guid-nicht. Bed's the richt +place for ye. I 'm sorry that Magsie 's no here to cuddle ye a bit.' + +'Thanks; I'm glad she's gone. I hate her,' said Hollyhock. + +'Ay,' said the old man, coming close to the child and looking into her +eyes. 'Isn't it a wee bit o' the de'il ye hae in ye the nicht, wi' +your talkin' o' hatin' them that luves ye!--Come, doggies; come. My +poor beasties, ye 'll want your rest; and there's no place like bed for +missie hersel'.' + +'You 'd best go to your own bed, too, Duncan,' called Hollyhock after +him. 'You are a very impertinent old man, and getting past your work.' + +'Past my work, am I, now? Aweel, ye 'll see! Guid-nicht, miss. I +bear no malice, although I pity the poor maister.' + +Duncan departed, taking the greyhound and the bloodhound with him. As +soon as she was quite sure that he had gone, and silence, deep and +complete, had fallen on the house, Hollyhock took down an old cloak +from where it hung in a certain part of the hall, and wrapping it +firmly round her shoulders, went out into the night. It was better out +of doors--less suffocating, less lonely--and the girl's terribly low +spirits began to rise. She was in for an adventure, and what Scots +lassie did not love an adventure? + +So she crept stealthily down the avenue, slipped through the smaller of +the gates, and presently found herself on the highroad. It was still +comparatively early, and certainly neither Lennox nor old Duncan missed +her. Duncan thought she was in bed; Lennox was too absorbed in his +heavy work to give his naughty little girl a thought. She had chosen +to stay behind. It was very troublesome and awkward of her, but he was +confident that her rebellious spirit would not last long. Accordingly +Hollyhock went the short distance which divided Ardshiel from The +Garden, entered by the great iron gates, and walked up the stately +avenue toward the beautiful mansion, where her own sisters were +traitorously and wickedly enjoying themselves. + +'But let them wait until lessons begin,' thought Hollyhock; 'let them +wait until that woman puts the birch on to them; then perhaps they 'll +see who's right--I, the faithful, noble girl, who would not desert her +father, or they, who have just gone off to Ardshiel for a bit of +excitement.' + +Ardshiel really looked remarkably pretty as Hollyhock drew near. It +was illuminated by electric light from attic to cellar, and there was +such a buzz of young voices, such an eager amount of talk, such peals +of happy, childish laughter, that Hollyhock was led thereby in the +right direction, and could peep into a very large room which was +arranged as a vast playroom on the ground floor, and where all the +children at present at Ardshiel were clustered together. + +Hollyhock, wearing her dark cloak, looked in. The blinds had not yet +been pulled down, and one window was partly open. She therefore saw a +sight which caused her heart to ache with furious jealousy. Her own +sister Jasmine was talking to a girl whom she addressed as Barbara. +Her own sister Rose of the Garden was chatting bravely with a girl whom +she addressed as Augusta. Hollyhock could not help observing that both +Barbara and Augusta were particularly nice-looking girls, with fair +English faces and refined English voices. All the children were +dressed for the evening. + +'So _affected_ at a school,' thought Hollyhock; 'but the birch-rod +woman will be on them soon, if I 'm not mistaken.' + +There was, however, a boy present who specially drew her attention and +even forced her admiration. He was a remarkably handsome boy, and his +name was Ivor. What his surname was Hollyhock could not guess. She +only knew that she had never seen such beautiful blue eyes before; and +such a manner, too, he had--almost like a man. Why, Jasper, Garnet, +Sapphire, Opal, and Emerald could not touch him even for a moment--that +is, as far as appearance and ways went. + +While she gazed in at the window, who should come up to this boy but +her own sister Gentian! She took the boy by the arm and said, 'Now +let's sit in a circle and think out our charade for Monday night.' + +Ivor gave a smile. He looked with admiration at Gentian, whom +Hollyhock always considered very plain. Instantly chairs were drawn +into a circle, and an excited conversation began. + +The birch-rod woman was a long time in appearing! Hollyhock's black +eyes were fixed on the blue eyes of Ivor. It would certainly _not_ be +unpleasant to talk to a boy of that sort; but he seemed quite devoted +to Gentian--poor, plain, little Gentian--while she, Hollyhock, the +beauty of the family, was standing out in the cold; and it _was_ cold +on that September night, with a touch of frost just breathing through +the air. Hollyhock felt herself shiver; then, all of a sudden, her +patience gave way. Those children should not be so happy, while she +was so wretched. She got behind the window where no one could see her, +and shouted in a loud, cracked voice, which she assumed for the +purpose, 'Oh! the ghost! the ghost!' + +She then rushed down the avenue, fearing to be caught and discovered. +She ran so fast that her long cloak tripped her, and she suddenly fell +and cut her lip. When she came to herself she had to wipe some stains +of blood away from her injured lip with her handkerchief. + +She just reached the lodge gates in time to shout once again, 'The +ghost! the ghost!' when the woman who lived in the lodge came out, +prepared to lock up for the night. + +'Who may you be?' said the woman. + +'I'm the ghost. Let me through!' screamed Hollyhock. + +And she really looked so frightful, with her big black eyes, and +blood-stained face, and streaming lip, that the woman, who was a +stranger, and did not know her, called out, 'Get ye gone at once or +I'll set the dogs on you. The shortest road ye can go'll be the best. +Ye 're not a ghost, but a poor cracked body.' + +Hollyhock was sincerely glad to find herself once again on the +highroad, but in some mysterious way her dislike for Ardshiel had +vanished, and she felt furiously angry with Ivor Chetwode for daring to +take notice of her plain sister, Gentian. + +She got into the house without much difficulty, bathed her swollen lip, +and retired to bed to think of Ivor's blue eyes. What a nice boy he +must be!--a real bonnie lad, one _worth_ talking to. Why should a girl +be a dunce all her days, when there was such a laddie at Ardshiel? Ah, +well, she would know more about Master Ivor before long. + +She slept soundly, and forgot the troubles of her miserable day. In +her dreams she thought of the Precious Stones and Ivor, and imagined +them all fighting hard to gain the goodwill of Gentian, who was a +freckled little girl, not to be named with her, Hollyhock. If that was +the sort of thing that went on at Ardshiel, and the birch-woman did +_not_ appear, it must be rather a nice place, when all was said and +done. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE WOMAN WHO INTERFERED. + +There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; +and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been +mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham +College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, +until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties +she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school. There was no +reason, however, why such schools should not exist, and do well. But +she knew they had a fight before them, and that conflict lay in her +path. She did not, however, know that this conflict was to take place +so soon. + +Mrs Macintyre was a good deal surprised by what followed Hollyhock's +stolen visit to Ardshiel. The children--boys and girls alike--were now +hard at work at their daily tasks. The first day passed splendidly. +The Precious Stones became extremely great friends with Roger Carden, +Ivor Chetwode, and Henry Anstel. There were also some other boys whose +parents were negotiating to send their sons to Mrs Macintyre, for the +fame of her school and the beauty of its surroundings were much talked +of, and the idea of a mixed school highly pleased some people, while it +equally annoyed others. + +It was on the first Saturday morning, when the Precious Stones and the +Flower Girls were to return home, that Mrs Macintyre was informed by +one of her servants (Magsie, no less) that a lady, a Mrs Maclure, had +called, and was waiting to see her in the white drawing-room. Mrs +Macintyre's husband had been Scots, and she herself was Scots. She +therefore knew many of the Edinburgh people, and had drawn upon this +knowledge in getting pupils for her school. She wondered if Mrs +Maclure was a certain Jane Scott whom she knew in her youth, and who +had married a Dr Maclure. She felt not a little surprise at this visit +at so early and important an hour. + +'The leddy kens ye are busy, but will not keep you long,' said Magsie, +who was struggling in vain to acquire an English accent. + +'I will be with her immediately,' said Mrs Macintyre, and Magsie +tripped away, her eyes very bright. She was enjoying herself +immensely. As a matter of fact she had never known real life before. + +Mrs Macintyre went at once into the drawing-room, having given +different orders to her teachers to proceed with their work, and +promising to be with them again before long. The moment she entered +the drawing-room she gave a little gasp of pleasure. + +'Why, Jane, is it indeed you?' she could not help remarking. + +'Ah, yes, Elsie, it's no other.' + +'Well, sit down, Jane, won't you?' + +'I suppose I 've come at an inconvenient time, Elsie?' + +'Well, I do happen to be busy.' + +I can't help that, my dear,' said Mrs Maclure. 'The business that +hurries me to your side is too urgent and important to brook a moment's +delay.' + +'Dear me, what can be wrong?' said Mrs Macintyre. + +'I'm told that you keep a mixed school.' + +'Yes, I do. I have a few small boys here.' + +'Shocking!' said Mrs Maclure. + +'What do you mean, Jane? Why shouldn't the boys be here?' + +'This is a costly place,' said Mrs Maclure, looking round her. 'The +laying out of it must have cost a deal of money.' + +'It did; but generous friends helped, and the Duke was not stingy with +his purse.' + +'I don't want to know any of the financial particulars,' continued Mrs +Maclure. 'But tell me one thing, Elsie. Do you want your school to +pay?' + +'Of course I do.' + +'Ah, I thought as much. Now, I 'll tell you what it is, Elsie. I have +come here with a scheme, and if you see your way to carry it out, why, +the school will pay, and pay again and again; but there must be no +mixing in it. I mean by that, the eggs must be in one basket and the +butter in another.' + +'You puzzle me very much, Jane.' + +'Well, I was always outspoken, my dear, and I heard of your trials, and +your noble courage, and the fact that you 'd got hold of one of the +bonniest bits of land in the whole of Scotland. Why, Ardshiel could be +full over and over again if it wasn't mixed. But mixed it must not be.' + +'I 'm very sorry to displease you, Jane,' said Mrs Macintyre; 'but the +thing cannot be altered now. I have, after all, at the present moment +only got eight boys in my school, although others will probably arrive. +I cannot turn those dear little fellows out.' + +'Well, then, the girls must go.' + +'No; I mean to keep my girls.' + +'Elsie, you were always obstinacy personified. You've got a good +school in a lovely spot, within easy reach of Glasgow and Edinburgh, +and also capable of receiving children from different parts of England. +The establishment is in working order. Now pray tell me how many you +have got in the school?' + +Mrs Macintyre said, 'Reckoning the boys first, I have got eight, as I +said; but I have had letters this morning from several parents who wish +to send their sons to my school.' + +'Well, we 'll say eight boys,' said Mrs Maclure. 'I suppose they are +quite babies?' + +'Not at all. Jasper is fifteen. He is the eldest boy in the school, +but will only stay for a year, as he has been very well taught by his +gifted mother and by Mr Lennox, the father of my sweet little Flower +Girls, as I call them.' + +'Elsie, you are becoming sadly romantic. It runs in the blood. You +must be careful. Fancy a big boy of fifteen in a girls' school.' + +'He's a gentleman and my right hand,' said Mrs Macintyre. + +'That has nothing whatsoever to do with it. He's fifteen, and ought to +be in a public school.' + +'He wants a year's training before he can go to Eton. He is a +singularly gifted lad, and is the life of the house.' + +'He must be the life of some other house. Now, then, for the girls. +How many of them have you got?' + +'To begin with, I've got Lucy, Margaret, Rose, and Dorothy Lennox; +their father is the Honourable George Lennox, who lives in a house +called The Garden close by.' + +'Well, go on. I suppose you have more girls than that. That makes +four. Now proceed with the rest.' + +'Well, there's Lady Leucha Villiers.' + +'You don't say so!' + +'I do, my friend. Her mother, the Countess of Crossways, has entrusted +her to my care.' + +'You amaze me!' + +'Perhaps I shall amaze you further. I have also got the Ladies Barbara +and Dorothy Fraser, daughters of the Marquis of Killin.' + +'You astound me!' + +'Then I have the Honourable Daisy Watson. In addition I have Miss +Augusta Fane, Miss Agnes Featherstonhaugh'---- + +'Good name that,' muttered Mrs Maclure. + +'Miss Margaret Drummond.' + +'I know them well--Scots to the backbone,' said Mrs Maclure. + +'Miss Mary Barton,' continued Mrs Macintyre, 'Miss Nancy Greenfield, +Miss Isabella Macneale, Miss Jane Calvert.' + +'Now let 's count how many you have got in the school,' said Mrs +Maclure. 'Everything _sounds_ well, but the boys will ruin the whole +affair.' + +'Oh, nonsense, Jane. If only you were not so narrow-minded.' + +'I know the world, my dear friend, and I don't want the best school in +Scotland to be spoiled for the lack of a little care--care bestowed +upon it at the right moment. Your girls, counting the Lennoxes, make +fifteen. Altogether in the school you have therefore twenty-three +children. How many teachers, pray?' + +Mrs Macintyre was never known to be angry, but she felt almost inclined +to be so now. She mentioned the number of her tutors, her foreign +governesses, and her English teachers--the best-trained teachers from +her own beloved Cheltenham. + +'How many servants?' was Mrs Maclure's next query. + +'Really, Jane, you are keeping me from my duties; but as you have come +all the way from Edinburgh to question me so closely, I will confess +that I have got ten indoor servants; that, of course, includes the +housekeeper and a trained nurse in case of illness.' + +'Dear, dear!' exclaimed Mrs Maclure. 'Prodigious! And then, I +presume, you get special masters and mistresses from Glasgow and +Edinburgh.' + +'I certainly do. The school is a first-rate one.' + +'My poor Elsie, it won't be first-rate long. You are taking all this +enormous expense and trouble for twenty-three children. How many can +your school hold?' + +'My school could hold quite seventy pupils,' said Mrs Macintyre; 'but +you must remember that it was only opened last Tuesday. Really, I +greatly fear that I shall have to leave you, Jane. This is a +half-holiday, and I have a special class to attend to.' + +'Let your special class go. Listen to the words of wisdom. The fame +of your school has spread to Edinburgh; it has been talked about; it +has been commented on. It is for that reason, and that reason alone, +that I have come here to-day. Put the boys into an annex, and provide +them with the necessary teachers--men, of course, if possible. Keep +the girls, and I'll engage to get you ten fresh pupils from Edinburgh +early next week, twenty from London--that's thirty--and several more +from Glasgow, also Liverpool, Manchester, and different parts of +England; and when I say I _can_ engage to do this, and fill your school +to the necessary number of seventy, I speak with confidence, _for I +know_. The ladies are dying to send their lassies to you, but the +mixed school prohibits it. I have no wish or desire to stop the +co-education of girls and boys, but to have those of the upper classes +mixing in the same boarding school won't go down in this country, Elsie +Macintyre. No, it won't do. Now, let me think. You speak of five +boys from the neighbourhood--who are their parents?' + +'They are the sons of my dear friend Mrs Constable, whose husband, +Major Constable, fell in the late war in South Africa.' + +'And the eldest is fifteen?' + +Yes.' + +'Where does Mrs Constable live?' + +'A very short way from here, at a place called The Paddock.' + +'And you think well of the woman?' + +'Cecilia Constable! She is delightful. Why, the dear soul has sent +her boys to my school, and comes here herself daily to undertake +kindergarten work in order to help her to pay the expenses of her +children.' + +'Bravo!' said Mrs Maclure. 'Why, of course, she can take them all. Is +her house a good size? Has it a respectable appearance?' + +'It is a beautiful house, the home of a true lady.' + +'So much the better. The thing is as right as rain. Is she here now?' + +'Yes, and very busy.' + +'I must see her. I cannot lose this golden chance for you, Elsie. Her +own five sons, and Master Henry de Courcy Anstel, Roger Carden, and +Ivor Chetwode, shall all move to The Paddock on Monday next. She will, +of course, be the head of the house, and tutors will be provided for +the instruction of the boys. I can assure you, Elsie, that neither I +nor my friends will have the least objection to your girls and her boys +playing games together and meeting at each other's homes. And now I +think I have done you a good turn. I have saved Ardshiel from ruin, +and The Paddock, or, if you prefer it, the Annex, will hold the boys, +old or young, who may wish to go there. Please send Mrs Constable to +see me, for I must immediately communicate with my friends. Ardshiel +will be packed by this day week, if Mrs Constable proves satisfactory.' + +'Well, really, I don't know what to think,' said Mrs Macintyre. +'Perhaps you are right, and I know dear Cecilia would like to have her +boys back with her again. I 'll send her to you.' + +Nobody could look into the gentle, gray eyes of Cecilia Constable +without feeling an instinctive trust in her, which was quickly, very +quickly, to ripen into love. All those who knew her loved her, for she +was made for love and self-sacrifice. Forgetting herself, she thought +ever and always of others; and when, in her quiet, Quaker-like dress, +she entered the room, Mrs Maclure said, under her breath, 'Good +gracious, what a beautiful creature! How admirably she will manage the +Annex!' + +It was not likely that Mrs Constable had parted with her five boys with +any sense of joy, and it was not lightly that she had undertaken the +duties of kindergarten mistress at Ardshiel; but right to her was +right, and it seemed the only way to pay expenses. As Mrs Maclure +unfolded her scheme the gray eyes grew bright and the lips trembled. + +'But does Mrs Macintyre consent?' she said at last. 'Your proposal +truly amazes me; but, oh, am I worthy?' + +'I feel you _are worthy_. Mrs Macintyre was loath at first to lose the +boys, but the lads cannot stay in a mixed school. If you agree, you +have only to say the word, and your sons will return to you. But +please understand that they must look on you as their _mother, not_ as +their teacher. The Reverend James Cadell of the neighbouring parish +will come to you every morning to instruct them in Latin and Greek. I +will get other teachers for you from Mrs Macintyre's, and there is no +earthly reason for keeping the boys and the girls apart. Only I +protest that they shall not live in the same school. Why, now, there's +Alan Anderson, and there's Davie Maclure, my own first cousin. Alan +Anderson and Davie can live in the house, and Mr Cadell will come over +every morning. He 'll ride his bicycle and be with you in good time. +If you know of anything better, which I doubt, you have but to say the +word. Now, then, I have my motor-car at the door. We 'll drive right +away to The Paddock and see the rooms for the lads and teachers. Don't +you fear, my dear; I'll help you with your Annex as heartily as I'll +help Elsie Macintyre with her great school.' + +'I must go and ask Mrs Macintyre's leave,' said Mrs Constable. 'This +sounds like a wonderful and delightful dream.' + +'My only dread,' thought Mrs Maclure to herself whilst waiting for Mrs +Constable to join her, 'is that that good man, James Cadell, will lose +his heart to her. I must give her a word of warning. He is a bit +susceptible, and she's a rare and beautiful woman.' + +On their way to The Paddock Mrs Maclure did impart her fears to Mrs +Constable, but that dear lady's sweetest and gravest of eyes looked at +her so reproachfully that she felt sorry she had spoken, and only +pressed her hand. + +The Paddock was large and roomy, and all arrangements for the Annex +school could quickly be made. The boys were to be informed that they +were not going home, but to an adjacent school; only the school was to +be, for five of them, _mother's house_. Oh, was not that delightful? + +So it came about that the Annex was established, and Cecilia Constable +knelt down and thanked God most earnestly for His great mercies. Oh, +how more than happy she would be once again! Now there was only one +little black sheep to be put right. Poor, lonely, prickly Holly! She +would see to it that the child entered Ardshiel, when her boys and the +three strange boys left the Palace of the Kings. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +A MISERABLE GIRL. + +Whether or not Hollyhock took a chill on that night when she peeped in +at the gay group at Ardshiel can never be quite established, but +certain it is that when her four sisters--those beloved and yet +traitorous sisters--rushed wildly back to The Garden on the following +Saturday afternoon, they found Hollyhock lying in bed, perhaps cross, +perhaps ill; anyhow, to all appearance, quite indifferent to their +presence. + +Jasmine stood and stared at her sister in amazement. So also did +Gentian and Rose and Delphinium. What could be the matter with their +flower maid, their darling? + +On their return home they were greeted by the information that the +master was away on business, and that Miss Hollyhock was upstairs. + +'In bed, I take it,' said old Duncan. 'It seems a pity for her not to +be down to greet ye, my dearies, but I do declare I canna make out what +ails her. She's poorly, the dear lass; but she 'll no say that she's +ill.' + +'But where is father, Duncan?' asked Jasmine in a dazed sort of voice. + +'Oh, the maister! He is weel enough, but he is that taken up wi' the +work o' Lord Ian Douglas that he canna gie much time to his lonesome +child. You must get her to school, Miss Jasmine; you must get her to +school, Miss Gentian.' + +'Of course we must, Duncan,' said Jasmine; 'and, oh! it is a right +splendid school.' + +'I'm thinkin' that mysel',' said Duncan, 'for Magsie, she came ower one +nicht and declared that there was not the like o' Ardshiel in the +length and breadth o' bonnie Scotland. But dear, dear, I was like to +forget. The maister, guid man, gave me a letter which he wrote this +mornin' to you, Miss Jasmine, and you was to have it at once.' + +'Thank you, Duncan. I 'll take the letter and go at once to Hollyhock.' + +The letter in question was read by all four girls at once, and was +simply to the effect that the young Precious Stones would dine with +them on the morrow, as well as Master Ivor Chetwode. In fact, Mr +Lennox had already written a letter to Mrs Macintyre, acquainting her +with his desire. + +'Then that's all right,' said Jasmine. 'Dad did get my letter. I was +a bit surprised at his being so long in answering it. Well, we 'll go +to Hollyhock now. Poor Ivor would have been terribly disappointed if +he had been left out of The Garden treat.' + +While this conversation was taking place Hollyhock was listening +intently from her small bed. She would not for the world let the girls +think that she missed school, and the only chance of keeping up this +deception was by retiring to bed and feigning illness. Not that she +felt _quite_ well; she was altogether too lonely and miserable for +that. She had not a book to read; she had not a thing to do. The dogs +were off with their master, and she had hardly even an animal to speak +to, with the exception of the kitchen cat, which came up and lay on her +bed, until she shooed her off with quick, angry words. + +Well, Saturday had come, and the girls had come, and she must keep up +her supposed illness at any cost, or they would suspect that she was +regretting her decision. But what a time they did take havering with +old Duncan! Tiresome man, Duncan! He was nearly as tiresome as the +dogs, Tocsin and Curfew, and the kitchen cat, Jean. + +When the children burst into the room, Hollyhock looked at them out of +her black eyes with a dismal stare. + +'Here we are back again,' said Jasmine. 'Haven't you a word of welcome +for us, Holly?' + +'Why should I?' replied Hollyhock. 'I 'm suffering from a reeling +head, and can't stand any noise at all.' + +'Dear, dear!' exclaimed Gentian. + +'I don't want any of _your_ fondling,' said Hollyhock in an angry tone, +for was not Gentian the girl whom the beautiful blue-eyed boy had paid +so much attention to? + +'Whatever have _I_ done?' said Gentian in amazement. + +'Oh, I'll leave it to your conscience. I'm not going to enlighten you.' + +'Dear, dear, what _can_ the matter be?' said Delphy. + +'Don't talk so loud. Keep your school manners for your school,' said +Hollyhock. + +'Dear, deary me!' cried Jasmine in an anxious tone, 'I think we ought +to get the doctor to see her. There's Dr Maguire, and Duncan will +fetch him. He 'll soon put you right, Hollyhock.' + +'He won't, for I won't see him,' said Hollyhock. 'Don't you bring him +to this room. I suppose, if I am faithful to my own Daddy Dumps, and +my own dear home, I may at least have my own way with regard to a +doctor. I 'm not ill _exactly_, but I 'm reeling in the head, and no +one can force me to have a doctor except Daddy Dumps, and he's away +with Lord Ian at Dundree until dinner-time.' + +'All the Precious Stones are coming over for dinner,' said Rose, as +softly as she could speak. + +'Are they? I don't want them.' + +'But they are coming all the same, Hollyhock, and so is Aunt Cecilia; +and to-morrow they are coming again with that dear boy Ivor Chetwode.' + +'Oh, is that his name?' said Hollyhock. + +'How can you know anything about his name?' said Jasmine in +astonishment. + +'Ask Gentian; perhaps _she'll_ tell you,' said Hollyhock with a wicked +glance out of her black eyes at her sister's pale-gray ones. + +But Gentian shook her head in bewilderment. 'She ought to see a +doctor,' was her remark. + +'Oh yes,' cried Hollyhock; 'but though she _ought_, she _won't_; and +neither you nor that old Duncan can force me to; and I don't wish to +hear a thing about your precious school, so for goodness' sake don't +begin. You know the old proverb that new brooms sweep clean. Well, +the school is a very new one, and the brooms are very new also. I +expect you won't be in such _pretended_ raptures after another week or +two, while I, the faithful one, remain at home, to do my duty.' + +The four Flower Girls gazed in consternation at one another. They were +certainly distressed when Hollyhock refused to go to school with them, +but her behaviour on the first day of their return altogether upset +them; and as for poor little Delphy, it was with difficulty that she +could keep the tears back from her eyes. + +'There! Shoo! Get the cat out,' cried Hollyhock, as Jean was again +putting in an appearance. + +'Why, poor old darling!' exclaimed Gentian, 'she sha'n't be scolded, +that she sha'n't. I 'll take her away to my room and pet her.' + +'No, you won't; you'll do nothing of the sort. She's the only thing +that now clings to me, and I 'm not going to have _you_ sneaking round +and winning her affections.' + +'Why, you wanted her to go, Hollyhock. Really, I don't know you,' +cried Gentian. + +'I dare say you don't. You have "other fish to fry."' + +The four girls felt for the first time in their lives really angry with +their favourite sister. Hollyhock, simply to spite Gentian, called in +a coaxing tone to Jean, who now jumped on the bed and purred loudly, +while Hollyhock stroked her fur, doing it, however, very often the +wrong way, which form of endearment tries all cats, even a kitchen cat. + +'There, you see for yourselves, she 's the only one left to love me,' +said Hollyhock. 'Oh, for goodness' sake, don't rush at me with your +sham kisses! I can't abide them, or you. Get away, will you, and +leave me in peace!--Jean, poor beastie! And do you love your little +mistress? You are the only one I have got, Jean, my bonnie pussie; the +only one who, like myself, is faithful and true.' + +It was just at that moment, when Jean had sunk into placid slumber and +the Flower Girls were intending to leave the room, that there came a +gentle, very gentle, knock at the door. + +'Who can be there now?' said Hollyhock. 'Whoever it is will wake the +cat.-- There, my bonnie beastie, sleep away. Don't you know that you +and I are the two lonely ones of the family?' + +The amazed Jean cuddled up closer than ever to Hollyhock, and the next +minute the door was quietly opened by Mrs Constable. + +'Well, children,' she said, 'the boys are downstairs, so I thought you +might like to see them. I 'm very sorry to perceive that our little +Hollyhock isn't well. This is a sad blow, when one has a rare holiday +and has looked forward to it. But I want to have a talk with Hollyhock +all by myself.' + +'You won't bring me round, so don't think it,' said Hollyhock. + +But Mrs Constable, taking no notice of these words, motioned to the +other four Flower Girls to leave the room. She then proceeded to make +up the fire brightly and to straighten Hollyhock's disordered bed. + +'Now, my child, what 's wrong with you?' she said in that voice so +melting and so sweet that few could resist it. + +'Oh, Aunt Cecil, I'm so unhappy--I'm alone. I have no one to love me +now but Jean.' + +'Poor little Jean! She seems very happy,' said Mrs Constable; 'but I'm +afraid she'll make dirty marks on your white counterpane, child.' + +'As if I cared. I'd stand more than that for love.' + +'Now, Hollyhock,' replied Mrs Constable, 'I must get to the bottom of +this. You are my own dear little girl, remember, and I must find out +whether you are ill or not.' + +'Of course I 'm ill; that is, I 'm a little ill.' + +'I have a thermometer with me. I'll take your temperature,' said Mrs +Constable. + +'Auntie, I would so much rather you didn't.' + +'I 'm afraid I must, child; for if you have a temperature, I must send +for Dr Maguire.' + +'I won't see him!' + +'You need not, my child, if you have no temperature. Now, let me try; +for afterwards I have some very exciting news to tell you. None of the +other girls know it yet.' + +'Oh, auntie, you do excite me! Yes, I 'll put the little thermometer +into my mouth. I hope I sha'n't break it, though.' + +'You must be careful, Hollyhock; for were you to swallow all that +mercury, it would kill you.' + +'Oh, auntie, what dreadful things you say! Well, stick it in, and then +tell me the news that none of the others know.' + +The thermometer was inserted. Hollyhock's temperature was perfectly +normal, and she was then questioned with regard to her throat and her +health generally. In the end Aunt Cecilia pronounced the girl quite +well, and desired her to get up and dress. + +'But I--the reeling in my head,' said Hollyhock. + +'That will pass, after you have had a nice warm bath and put on one of +your pretty frocks.' + +'Oh, but, auntie, I do want to hear the news.' + +'You shall hear it after you are dressed. I don't tell exciting news +to little girls who lie in bed. The effect might be bad for them and +bring on fever.' + +'Oh, auntie, I don't want the servants to come near me.' + +'They needn't, child. I'll turn on the hot water in the bath, and then +help you to put on your prettiest dress. Why, Jasper is just pining to +see you. Now, then, no more talk. The hours are passing, and quick 's +the word.' + +'Auntie, you have a nice way of saying things.' + +'I 'm glad you think so, child.' + +'Although you are only a governess at that horrid Ardshiel.' + +Mrs Constable was silent. + +In a very short time Hollyhock had had her bath. She dressed +luxuriously by the fire in her bedroom, Aunt Cecilia brushing out her +masses of black hair and fastening it back with a large crimson bow. +Aunt Cecilia chose a very pretty dress of softest gray for the little +maid, and then, when the last touch connected with the toilet had been +given, there came a mysterious knock at the door. + +'Who can that be?' said Hollyhock, who felt discontented once again. + +'Only some one bringing a little food, dear, which I have ordered for +you. You need not see the person who brings it. I will fetch it +myself.' + +Accordingly, tea in a lovely old Queen Anne teapot, accompanied by +cream and sugar, hot buttered toast, and an egg, new laid and very +lightly boiled, was placed before Hollyhock. + +'But I haven't touched food for nearly twenty-four hours,' said the +wilful child. + +'Which accounts for the reeling in your head, my love. Now, then, set +to work and eat.' + +'But your news, auntie--your news.' + +'After you have eaten, my child--after you have finished all the +contents of this little tray, but not before.' + +Hollyhock suddenly found herself furiously hungry. She attacked the +toast and egg, and wondered at the sunshiny feeling which had crept +into her heart. + +'Now, remember that you are perfectly well, Hollyhock.' + +'Yes, auntie dear, of course.' + +'And there 'll be no more malingering.' + +'Whatever's that, Aunt Cecilia?' + +'Why, doing what you did--_pretending_ to be ill, and keeping your +family in a state of misery.' + +'I won't do it again. Now for your news.' + +'I want to make one last condition, Hollyhock.' + +'What do you mean?' + +'A lonely life does not suit you, my child. When you are forced to +have recourse to the kitchen cat, that proves the case. Now I want you +to go back to Ardshiel with the other girls on Monday.' + +'Oh, oh, _auntie_!' + +'No one wishes for you here, child, and you certainly won't get my +great piece of news unless you make me that promise. You will be as +happy as the day is long at that school.' + +'They certainly do _look_ happy,' said Hollyhock, 'and I should like to +see the boy with the blue eyes.' + +'The boy with the blue eyes'---- + +'Oh, nothing, auntie; nothing. I'll agree. The kitchen cat is poor +company. Now, then, out with your news.' + +'You shall have it, dear. God bless you, darling! You have done a +brave thing. And I cannot describe to you the joys of that lovely +school, which you have wilfully absented yourself from. Now sit quite +close to me, and listen to my news.' + +Certainly Aunt Cecilia _had_ a winning way. She was always remarkable +for that. She could fight her cause with any one--with man, woman, or +child; and she could fight it in the best possible way, by not fighting +it at all, by simply leaving the matter in the hands of Almighty Love, +by just breathing a gentle prayer for Divine guidance and then going +bravely forward. + +This plan of hers had supported her when her beloved husband was killed +in battle; when her bonnie laddies, her Precious Stones, were sent to +Mrs Macintyre's school; and would support her when, according to the +arrangement made between herself and her husband, Major Constable, the +time came for her Precious Stones to go to Eton. + +Major Constable had been an Eton boy, and he knew well the spirit of +the gallant words: + + It's not for the sake of a ribboned coat, + Or the selfish hope of a season's fame, + But his captain's hand on his shoulder smote, + Play up! play up! and play the game!' + This is the word that year by year, + While in her place the School is set, + Every one of her sons must hear, + And none that hears it dare forget. + This they all with a joyful mind + Bear through life like a torch in flame, + And, falling, fling to the host behind-- + 'Play up! play up! and play the game!' + + +Mrs Constable, as she repeated these words to Hollyhock, noticed the +flame in her cheeks and the radiance in her black glorious eyes; knew +only too well that this fearless girl would play her part--yes, to the +very letter. For one like Hollyhock there would most certainly be a +conflict, and also most assuredly a victory. She would 'play up! play +up! and play the game!' Her own heart beat as she watched the child. +Eton, that princely school, would be the first training-ground for +Major Constable's young sons; but for Hollyhock there would be both at +school and afterwards in the world the greater battlefield. Her heart +went out to the child, and she pressed her close for a moment to her +heart. Mrs Constable felt very happy to-night. She knew well that she +herself was a very efficient teacher; she was also a very persuasive +teacher, and Mrs Macintyre had eagerly agreed to her suggestion that +she should be her kindergarten mistress, thus helping Mrs Constable to +pay in part for the enormous expense of sending five boys to Ardshiel. +But, after all, this sum of money was but a drop in the ocean; and her +delight was intense, her thanksgiving to Almighty God extreme, when she +was told that she _herself_ might get her laddies back and start an +Annex School for the boys, who were really too old to be at Ardshiel. +The departure of one would mean the departure of all; and now, as she +sat by Hollyhock's side, holding her little brown hand, she had already +secured for herself quite fourteen boys, who were all to arrive at the +Annex, or the dear Paddock, as she loved to call it, on the following +Monday morning. But this apparent breaking up of Mrs Macintyre's +school had not been mentioned as yet to any of the children. Mr +Lennox, of course, knew and approved, and Hollyhock was really the +first of the Flower Girls to whom the news was broken. + +'Well, my dear,' said Mrs Constable, 'I have news for you, which I +expect will please you. What do you say to two schools in this +neighbourhood?' + +'Two schools!' said Hollyhock, looking with amazement at gentle Mrs +Constable. + +'Yes, my love, that's my news. And I 'm to be at the head of one, +though by no manner of means the teacher. That wouldn't do. But I 'm +to superintend, and guide, and influence, and what you may call +"mother." I'm getting my own brave laddies back.' + +'But'---- said Hollyhock, a startled look coming into her dark eyes. + +'Yes, my dear, and more than that. I 'm getting a boy called Henry de +Courcy Anstel from the big school; and another one, Roger Carden.' + +'Oh, oh!' said Hollyhock, turning first white and then red, 'has he +blue eyes--_has_ he blue eyes?' + +'That is more than I can tell you. The colour of the eyes does _not_ +trouble me, and they ought not to trouble a lass of your tender years. +There 's another boy called Ivor Chetwode also coming. These with my +own five make eight. In addition, I have got Andrew MacPen from +Edinburgh, and Archie MacPen, his brother, and four little orphan boys, +who are coming all the way from London. Their names are Johnnie and +Georgie and Alec and Murray. I call them orphans because their father +and mother have gone to India, and have had to leave them behind. So +on Monday my little Annex will open with fourteen boys. They'll have +the advantage of the fräuleins and mesdemoiselles from Ardshiel to give +them lessons two or three times a week; and in addition, being manly +boys, I have made arrangements that they shall be taught by the +Reverend James Cadell and two resident tutors. So you see now for +yourself, Hollyhock, that after your insisting so often that nothing +would make you go to a mixed school, the thing has been taken out of +your hands, my love. Mrs Macintyre has a large and flourishing school +for girls, and I hope to do well with my boys. You must congratulate +me, Hollyhock.' + +'Well,' said Hollyhock haltingly, 'I--somehow--it seems hard on Mrs +Macintyre, doesn't it?' + +'Not a bit of it, dear. Why, it's the making of her school. She has +got so many applications for girlies like yourself to go to Ardshiel +that she soon will have to close her lists. Now that you have decided +to go there, Hollyhock, it will bring the number of her pupils in the +course of next week up to nearly seventy.' + +Hollyhock sat very cold and still. + +'You don't look pleased, my child, and yet you were so strong against a +mixed school.' + +'Well, yes, I was, and I am still. For that matter, I hate all +schools.' + +'But you faithfully promised me to go to Ardshiel, Hollyhock.' + +'Oh yes, I 'll keep my word. I expect I 'm a bit of a dare-devil; +there is something very wicked in me, Auntie Cecilia.' + +'I know there is, child. You need Divine guidance.' + +'I won't be lectured,' said Hollyhock, getting very cross all at once. +'Oh, auntie, those blue eyes!' and the excited, hysterical girl burst +into tears. + +'There must be something at the back of this, Hollyhock.' + +'Oh, nothing--nothing indeed.' + +'Well, I won't press for your confidence, dear. Little girls and +little boys should be friends and nothing more for long years to come; +and although I at first quite hoped that Mrs Macintyre's mixed school +would be a great success, I now see that it is best for me to have my +little corner in the Lord's vineyard alone. But don't for a moment +imagine, Hollyhock, that you girls of Ardshiel and my boys of the Annex +won't be the best of friends, meeting constantly and enjoying life and +fun together. Think of your Saturday to Monday, Hollyhock! Think of +my Precious Stones meeting you Flower Girls! Think of the old life +being brought back again!' + +'Yes, I suppose it is best,' said Hollyhock, but she heaved a sigh as +she spoke. Her sigh was mostly caused by the fact that she had given +in. She, who had made such a grand and noble stand, was going to +Ardshiel after all. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +SOFT AND LOW. + +But when Hollyhock went downstairs, dressed so charmingly and with a +rich colour in her cheeks, with the sparkle of excitement in her eyes, +and when she saw Jasper, Garnet, and the other boys, who all rushed +toward her with a cry of delight, she began to enjoy herself once more. + +Old Duncan was moving about the great hall and whistling gently to +himself. 'Soft and low, soft and low. It 's that that does it,' +whispered the old man. Then he broke out again in his cracked old +tones, 'And for bonnie Annie Laurie I wad lay me doun and dee!' + +'Duncan, you might remember that we are in the room,' said Hollyhock. + +'To be sure, lassies; and don't ye like the sound o' the grand old +tunes and words? Did ye never hear me sing "Roy's Wife o' +Aldivalloch"?' + +'No; and I don't wish to,' said Hollyhock. + +'Well,' said Duncan, who was never put out in his life, 'here are the +doggies, poor beasties, and I guess, Miss Hollyhock, you 'll be a sicht +better for a little company. I 'm reddin' up the place against the +maister's return. Ay, but we 'll hae a happy evenin'. Old times come +back again--"Should auld acquaintance be forgot"'---- + +'Duncan, you are incorrigible!' + +But Duncan deliberately winked at Jasper, then at Garnet, then at his +beloved Miss Jasmine, and finally catching Delphy in his arms, trotted +up and down the great hall with her on his shoulder, while the child +shrieked with delight and called him dear, darling old Duncan. + +At last, however, the hall was in order. The ingle-nook was a blaze of +light and cosiness. The boys and girls were chattering as they had +never chattered before; and Duncan, assisted by a boy of the name of +Rob, who wore the Lennox livery, brought in ponderous trays, which were +laid on great tables. These trays contained tea and coffee, scones to +make your mouth water, butter arranged like swans swimming in parsley, +and shortbread made by that famous cook, old Mrs Duncan, who was also +the housekeeper at The Garden. + +The trays were followed, alas! by the kitchen cat, Jean, who smelt the +good things and walked in with her tail very erect, and a look on her +face as much as to say, 'I 'm monarch of all I survey!' + +'Out you go, Jean!' cried Hollyhock. + +'No, Hollyhock, don't be unkind to poor Jean,' said Mrs Constable. +'You were very glad to have her when you were alone. And now listen, +my dear; I have something to whisper to you.' + +Hollyhock dropped Jean, who was immediately snatched up by Gentian. +Gentian provided the kitchen cat with a rich mixture of cream, milk, +and sugar. She lapped it slowly and gracefully, as all cats will, in +front of the ingle-nook, the two great dogs watching her with envious +eyes, but not daring to interfere. + +Mrs Constable, meanwhile, continued to whisper in a distant corner to +Hollyhock, 'My darling, I was the first to tell you the great news--I +mean with regard to the boys' school, or, as we intend to call it, the +Annex. No other child knows of it at present, and no other child knows +that you are going to Ardshiel on Monday with your sisters. Now, what +I propose is this. You must have a hearty tea and enjoy yourself as +much as possible, and then you shall have the great honour of telling +the news _first_ about yourself, and then about my boys and the little +school, to the others. _Only_ Hollyhock shall tell. There, my pet, +kiss me. See how I love you.' + +'Oh, you do, and you are a darling,' said Hollyhock, who was keenly +gratified by this distinction bestowed upon her. + +The tea was disposed of with appetite. Never, surely, was there such +shortbread eaten before, never such scones partaken of. +Notwithstanding her private tea upstairs, Hollyhock was very hungry and +happy, and the marked attentions which Jasper paid her gave her intense +and unalloyed pleasure. Oh, what a pity he was leaving the school! +What a dear boy was this Precious Stone! She even forgot the boy with +the blue eyes when she looked at Jasper's honest, manly face. But the +best of good teas come to an end. + +Duncan came in with his soft whisper and gentle words in his cracked +old voice, still singing softly, 'Should auld acquaintance be forgot, +and never brought to mind?' Hollyhock gave him a haughty glance, but +he did not observe it; and Jasper suddenly said, springing to his feet, +'Hurrah, old Duncan! you are the man for me. Let's all sing the jolly +old song!' + +'But, master,' faltered Duncan, 'I canna sing as once I sang.' + +Jasper said, 'Nonsense; you forget yourself, Duncan. You lead off, and +we 'll begin.' + +All the children stood up; all the young voices, the middle-aged voice +of Mrs Constable, and the aged voice of Duncan brought out the beloved +words: + + 'Should auld acquaintance be forgot, + And never brought to mind? + Should auld acquaintance be forgot, + And auld lang syne? + + 'We twa hae paidl'd in the burn + Frae morning sun till dine; + But seas between us braid hae roar'd + Sin' auld lang syne. + + For auld lang syne, my dear, + For auld lang syne, + We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet + For auld lang syne.' + + +Just as the last words had echoed round the hall, who should enter but +the father of the Flower Girls. There was a sudden cry of rapture. +Jasmine's arms were round his neck; Delphy mounted to her accustomed +place on his shoulder. He was their own, their darling. Gentian +kissed his hand over and over again. Dark-eyed Rose of the Garden +kissed him once more. Oh, how happy they were! for his little +Hollyhock--the child who had troubled him all the week--overcome by +varied emotions, sprang to his side, pushed both Jasmine and Gentian +away, and said, 'Oh, daddy, I have been a bad, bad lassie, but I'm all +right now; and if you'll listen, daddy mine, and if the others will +hold their peace for a minute, I 'll let my great secret out.' There +was a new sound in Hollyhock's voice. Old Duncan stood in a kind of +trance of wonder. To be sure, things _were_ coming round, and that +week of misery was over. 'Daddy,' said Hollyhock, 'I didn't think +you'd enjoy my absence as much as you will. I talked a lot of +nonsense, and said I'd see to you, Daddy Dumps; but what's the use? I +'m not just entirely to blame, but I have _not_ been happy this last +week, so I think it is well that I should go back with Jasmine and the +others to Ardshiel on Monday morning--that is, if _you_ wish it, daddy?' + +'Is the choice entirely your own, my child?' said George Lennox. + +'Yes, it is. You 'll want me, perhaps, when you haven't got me, but +I'm away to school with the others. It's right--it _is_ right.' + +'Well, my Hollyhock, I thank you,' said her father. 'I shall miss you, +beyond a doubt; but work has set in for me to such an extent that I +have no time to attend to you, and your being in the house and +uneducated has been a sore trial to me, Holly. You 'll be a good lass +at school, my child. You must promise me that.' + +'You 'll have a right-down lovely time, Holly,' cried Jasmine. + +'Yes, won't she?' echoed Gentian. + +'But I haven't told you all the story yet,' said Hollyhock. She +suddenly went up to Jasper and took his big hand. 'I was trusted by a +lady, whose name I mustn't mention, with another bit of news, Jasper, +boy--and, oh! it's sore it makes my heart. _You_ have to go to the +lady, Jasper, boy, and so has Garnet, and so has Sapphire, and so have +Opal and Emerald. In addition, the boys at Ardshiel are to go to a new +Annex--under protest, no doubt; but still it has to be. You 'll be +taught by men, my bonnie Precious Stones, and we lassies will have to +do with the women folk.' + +'Well, this is astounding,' said Jasper. 'Is it true?--Can you +explain, Uncle George?' + +'Yes, my boy; and I don't think you 'll mind when it's explained to +you. The "lady" whom my Hollyhock wouldn't mention is your _own_ +mother.' + +'Mother!' cried Emerald, in a voice of rapture. 'Eh, mother, I have +missed you!' + +He was only a little fellow--the youngest of the Precious Stones--and +he suddenly burst out crying. + +'There, now, be a brave lad,' said Mrs Constable. 'No tears, my little +son, for they don't become a gentleman. They don't become the son of +Major Constable. Ho died fighting for his country, and no son of his +and mine should be seen with tears in his eyes. You all do come back +to your mummy, my children, and a lot of other boys come as well; and +The Paddock is to be partly changed, so that I can mother you, my +Emerald, but not teach you--no, no, none of that. There 'll be that +fine gentleman, the Reverend James Cadell, to put Latin and Greek into +you; and there'll be Alan Anderson to teach you games, as boys should +play them; and there 'll be young Mr Maclure to help him with your +English and your lessons all round. I 'll have my five Precious Stones +sleeping again under my roof; and your food will be prepared by that +maid of ours, Alison, of whom you have always been so fond; and old Mrs +Cheke will be the housekeeper and look after your wants. And for +foreign languages Mrs Macintyre will send over at certain hours each +day some of her governesses. Now then, children, I think we are all +going to be as happy as happy. It was decided by a wise woman that Mrs +Macintyre's mixed school would eventually prove a mistake, for a good +many mothers object to sending their girls to such places, although I +myself see no harm in them whatsoever. But, my dear boys, we must +think of Mrs Macintyre, who will have a very large school of girls. On +Monday next you will see many new faces at Ardshiel, and the +arrangement that you, my little loves, are to spend Saturday till +Monday all together is to continue. So now do let us sing a fresh song +of that wondrous bard, Robbie Burns, because I feel so absolutely Scots +of the Scots to-day that I simply cannot stand any one else. + + 'Hark, the mavis' evening sang + Sounding Clouden's woods amang; + Then a-faulding let us gang, + My bonnie Dearie. + + 'Ca' the yowes to the knowes, + Ca' them whare the heather grows, + Ca' them whare the burnie rowes + My bonnie Dearie. + + We'll gae down by Clouden side, + Through the hazels spreading wide, + O'er the waves, that sweetly glide + To the moon sae clearly. + + 'Yonder Clouden's silent towers, + Where at moonshine midnight hours, + O'er the dewy bending flowers, + Fairies dance sae cheery. + + 'Ghaist nor bogle shalt thou fear; + Thou 'rt to Love and Heaven sae dear, + Nocht of ill may come thee near, + My bonnie Dearie. + + Fair and lovely as thou art, + Thou hast stown my very heart; + I can die--but canna part, + My bonnie Dearie. + + 'While waters wimple to the sea, + While day blinks i' the lift sae hie, + Till clay-cauld death shall blin' my e'e + Ye shall be my Dearie!' + + +'Oh, mother, mother!' cried one boy after another, as they clustered +round her, 'indeed we are happy now, since _you_ are the "lady."' + +'We didn't rightly understand at first,' continued Jasper.--'But come +for a walk, Hollyhock; come along; I have a lot to say to you.' + +So Hollyhock and Jasper went out together into the old grounds in the +old way, and the sweet, yet sorrowful, week--so maddening to poor +Hollyhock, so joyous to Jasper--was forgotten in the spirit of reunion. +Oh, it was perfect for the Flower Girl to be with her precious Precious +Stone again, and she even loved his dear Scots ways so much that she +told him of her little adventure as a 'great secret,' and besought of +him not to mention it to any one. + +'And so you were taken with that English boy Ivor Chetwode,' he +remarked. 'I didn't think you were so fickle. But it's all right now, +Hollyhock, and you 'll have a right jolly time at the school.' + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +UNDER PROTEST. + +Whatever Hollyhock's feelings may have been, she went to school on the +following Monday morning with a good grace. She was the sort of girl +who, when once she put her hand to the plough, would not take it back +again. She refused, however, to listen to any of the stories which +Jasmine, Gentian, and the others longed and pined to tell her of the +great school. + +'I 'll find out for myself,' was her remark; and Mrs Constable advised +the other girls to leave this obstinate lass alone as far as possible. + +'Under protest!' exclaimed Jasmine. + +'If you think it right,' said Gentian. + +'Yes, Jasmine; yes, Gentian. I do know what is really best for our +little maid. She will find her own way best in the school if she is +not interfered with. If she is in any sort of trouble, then she will +have her dear Flower sisters to go to.' + +'I doubt it myself,' said Gentian. 'That's just what Hollyhock will +not do. I know Holly; she's a queer fish. Rare courage has she; I 'm +not fit to hold a candle to her myself.' + +'Oh, you have plenty of courage of your own,' said Mrs Constable. 'You +can wile every girl in the place, but don't interfere with Hollyhock.' + +'Well, I 'm longing to be off to school,' said Jasmine, 'and I only +trust Holly will like the dear spot as much as we do.' + +'She 's certain sure to, girlies, if you don't tell her so. If you do, +I won't answer for the consequences. She 'd love to scare you all. +There now, my darlings, let her be, let her be.' + +So the girls, who dearly loved Aunt Cecilia, and who thought a lot of +her counsel, were induced to be judicious in the matter of Hollyhock, +and to walk with her to Ardshiel as though it were an ordinary stroll +they were taking. + +Hollyhock was certainly a very handsome little girl. With the +exception of Rose of the Garden, she was the only one of the young +Lennoxes who was really dark. Her great deep black eyes were +surrounded by thick black lashes. Her hair grew low on her brow and +curled itself into little rings here, there, and everywhere. In +addition, it was extremely long and thick, and, when not tied up with a +ribbon, fell far below her waist. Hollyhock had pearly-white teeth, a +very short upper lip, and a certain disdainful, never-may-care +appearance, which was very fetching to most girls. + +The hour for the reassembling of the girls at Ardshiel was nine +o'clock, and Hollyhock, although her heart was beating furiously, +showed not a scrap of nervousness, but gazed dauntlessly and with a +fine defiance around her. Everywhere and in all directions she found +eyes fixed on her--blue eyes, gray eyes, brown eyes, light eyes, dark +eyes, the eyes of the pale-faced English, the glowing eyes of a few +French girls; but she felt quite assured in her own heart that there +was not one in that great group who could compare with herself. +Hollyhock, or, in other words, Jacqueline Lennox. + +She resolved quickly (and Hollyhock's resolutions, once formed, were +hard to break) that _she_ would be _captain_ of this great school; she +would lead, and the others would follow, no matter the colour of their +eyes, no matter the complexions, no matter the thin, pale faces, or the +fat, rosy faces. These things were all one to Hollyhock. She would +compel these girls; they would follow her willy-nilly where _she_ +wished and where _she_ dared to go. She knew well that she was not +clever in book-learning, but she also knew well that she had the great +gift of leadership; she would be the leader here. She rejoiced in the +fact that all the girls were staring at her. She would go carefully to +work and soon secure a band of followers, who would increase by-and-by, +becoming extremely obstreperous and doing all sorts of naughty things, +for Holly had no intention when at school to be good or to learn much. +She went solely and entirely for her own happiness, because she +preferred the girls with the blue, gray, and nondescript eyes to the +kitchen cat, Jean, and to the great loneliness which had descended on +The Garden. + +Such a girl as Hollyhock could not but attract attention, and the Lady +Barbara Fraser, Miss Agnes Featherstonhaugh, and many others became +fascinated on the very first day. But Hollyhock, on that first day, +was outwardly meek. She was good, except for her flashing eyes; she +was good, except for the sudden and very queer smile which played round +her pretty lips. + +The other Flower Girls had been liked very much indeed, but they had +not stirred a certain naughty spirit in the breasts of the girls. They +honestly, all four of them, wanted to learn hard and to repay their +beloved father for all the expense he was put to on their account; but +Hollyhock's was a totally different nature. She had come to school to +lead, and lead she would. + +On the afternoon of the first day, Lady Leucha Villiers, who was a +delicate, refined-looking girl, came up to Jasmine. 'Well, what queer +changes have taken place in the school!' + +'What do you mean exactly?' replied Jasmine. + +'Why, all those nice boys have vanished like smoke.' + +'No, they haven't. They are alive and well. They are being taught at +the Annex. It has been considered best.' + +Lady Leucha gave a sigh. 'I miss that dear Ivor,' she said, 'and I +also miss your cousin Jasper and that little chap you call Opal; but +what puzzles me most of all is the crowds and crowds of new girls who +have arrived at the school, and the newest of them all is your sister.' + +'Yes,' said Barbara Fraser, 'your sister, Jasmine, is very new and very +remarkable. Whyever did she not come with the rest of you last week?' + +'She did not wish it,' replied Jasmine. 'Girls, had we not better get +our French ready for Mam'selle?' + +'Oh, bother Mam'selle!' said Lady Leucha. 'I am interested in your +sister. Fancy a girl not coming to school because she doesn't wish it.' + +'Father never forces any of us,' said Jasmine in her sweet voice. +'Hollyhock began by disliking the school--I mean the idea of it--and +she was a bit lonesome with no one to talk to her, so she came back +with us this morning.' + +'Hollyhock,' said Lady Leucha. 'A queer name!' + +'Oh, it isn't her real name; it is her home name. Her real name is +Jacqueline.' + +'That's much prettier,' said Leucha Villiers. 'Do tell her to come and +sit with us, Jasmine. I shall always call her Jack. I have taken a +great fancy to her.' + +'Well, you'd best keep your fancy to yourself,' said Jasmine, 'for no +one _will_, and no one _can_, coerce Hollyhock.' + +'Oh, she's not going to lord it over me,' said Lady Leucha. 'Am I not +an earl's daughter?' + +'That will have no effect on Hollyhock, I can assure you.' + +'Won't it? We'll see. My father has got a glorious mansion, and we +belong to the very greatest nobility in the whole of England. Our +cousins, the Frasers, are the daughters of the Marquis of Killin. So +you 'd better not put on airs before me, Jasmine. Oh Jasmine, I do +love you; you are such a downright dear little thing. I 'm going to +ask you up to Hans Place at Easter if daddy and mother will give me +leave.' + +'Thank you,' said Jasmine; but I couldn't afford to spend one minute +away from The Garden.' + +'How queer of you! You seem devoted to your home.' + +'I'm Scots,' replied Jasmine; 'and to the Scots there are no people +like the Scots.' + +'Oh, do, do watch her!' suddenly exclaimed Lady Leucha. 'Barbara, do +you see--Dorothy, do you see?--she's walking up and down on the terrace +with that ugly Mary Barton and that nobody, Agnes Featherstonhaugh. +Why, Nancy Greenfield and Jane Calvert are hopping round her just as +though they were magpies on one leg.' + +'Why should she not talk to those girls? They are very nice,' said +Jasmine. 'But, Leucha, Barbara, and Dorothy, do you not think you had +better prepare your French lessons? At least I must and will.' + +Jasmine skipped away and was soon lost to view, but the Ladies Barbara, +Dorothy, and Leucha found themselves alone--alone and somewhat +slighted. Slighted, too, by those commonplace Scots girls! They, who +were the daughters of a marquis and an earl! The thing was not to be +endured! + +Leucha whispered to her companions, and soon they got up and went out +in a little group into the grounds. They saw black-eyed Hollyhock, +surrounded by her adorers. She was talking in quite a gentle, subdued +voice, and did not take the least notice of the marquis's and the +earl's daughters. Never had Nancy Greenfield, Jane Calvert, Mary +Barton, Agnes Featherstonhaugh, and last, but not least, Margaret +Drummond felt so elated. Holly was talking in a very low, seductive +voice. Her rich curls were tumbling about her face and far down her +back. Her cheeks were like bright, soft fire, and the flash in her +glorious black eyes it would be difficult to surpass. + +'I say, Jack,' exclaimed Leucha. + +----'And, girls, as I was telling you, that poor cat, wee Jean, she +came and nestled on my bed'---- + +'I'm talking to you, Miss Lennox,' said Lady Leucha. + +'Are you? I did not listen. You spoke to some one called Jack. +That's a boy. I happen to be a girl.--Well, girls, let's proceed. +I've _such_ a jolly plan in my head. I 'm thinking--whisper--that +young person must not hear.' + +The whisper was to the effect that wee Jean was to be fetched from The +Garden by Holly that very night and put comfortably into Lady Leucha's +bed. A saucer of cream was to be placed in the said bed, and it was +more than likely that bonnie Jean would spill it in her fright. + +Lady Leucha, who knew nothing of this plan, said in a tone bristling +with haughtiness, 'Some little Scotch girls can be very rude!' + +'And some fair maids of England can be downright worse!' retorted +Hollyhock.--'Come along, girls, let's go down this side-walk.' + +Lady Leucha had never been spoken to in that tone before, but rudeness +to a girl who had always been pampered made her desire all the stronger +to win the fascinating Hollyhock to her side, and to deprive those +common five, Agnes Featherstonhaugh, Mary Barton, Nancy Greenfield, +Jane Calvert, and Margaret Drummond, of her company. Accordingly, +accompanied by the two Frasers, she also went down the shady walk which +led to the great lake. She began to talk in a high-pitched English +voice of the delights of her home, the wealth of her parents, and the +way in which the Marquis of Kilmarnock and his sons and daughters +adored her. + +Hollyhock heard each word, but _her_ voice was no longer gentle. It +was loud and a little penetrating. 'You would not dare to come out at +night,' she said, looking at the devoted five. + +'And whyever not?' asked Mary. + +'You would not have the courage. It's here on moonlight nights that +the ghost walks. He drips as he walks; and he's _very_ tall and very +strong, with a wild sort of light in his eyes, which are black and big +and awful to see. He was drowned here in the lake on the night before +his wedding. He's very unquiet, is that poor ghost! _I_ do not mind +him one little bit, being a sort of friend, almost a relative, of his. +Many and many a night, when the moon is at the full, have I stood by +the lake and said, "Come away, my laddie. Come, poor ghostie, and I +'ll dry your wet hair." Poor fellow, he likes me to rub him dry.' + +[Illustration: 'It's here on moonlight nights that the ghost walks.'] + +The daughters of the marquis and the earl were now quite silent, their +silly little hearts filled with horror. They never guessed that +Hollyhock was making up her story. + +'You _couldn't_ have done that,' said Jane Calvert. + +'Whist, can't ye? I want to get those girls away, so as to talk about +the kitchen cat.' + +The girls in question certainly did go away. They did more; they went +straight to Mrs Macintyre and asked her if the awful story was true. +Mrs Macintyre, having never heard of it, declared emphatically that it +was not true; but, somehow, neither Lady Leucha nor the Fraser girls +quite believed her. There was such a ring of truth in Hollyhock's +words; and had they not all heard, on that first happy evening at the +school, the cry, so shrill, so piercing, '_The ghost! the ghost!_' + +They had tried not to think of it since, but Hollyhock seemed to +confirm the weird words, and they began to wonder if they could stay +long in this school, which, beautiful as it was, contained such an +awful ghost--a ghost who required a little girl to dry his locks for +him. Surely such a terrible thing could not happen! It was quite past +belief. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +THE SUMMER PARLOUR. + +If there was a girl who was at once slightly frightened and extremely +angry, that girl was Leucha Villiers, the daughter of the Earl of +Crossways. Never, never before had any overtures on her part been +treated as Hollyhock had treated them. If this saucy black-eyed imp +intended to rule the school, she, Leucha, would show her what she +thought of her conduct. She would not be ruled by her. She would, in +short, show her once and for all her true position. Little Scotch +nobody, indeed! Well, the angry Leucha knew how to proceed. + +Leucha was considered by her friends and by her numerous acquaintances +a most charming girl, a girl with such aristocratic manners, such a +noble presence, such a gentle, firm, distinguished air. She had been, +during her first week at school, very happy on the whole, for Jasmine, +and Gentian, and Rose, and Delphinium had more or less bowed down to +her and admired her. But now there appeared on the scene a totally +different character--Hollyhock! How ridiculous to call any human being +by such a name! But then it wasn't her real name; her name was +Jacqueline. She, Lady Leucha, would certainly not call her Hollyhock, +or prickly Holly, or anything of that sort. She would call her Jack +and Jacko, and tease her as much as possible. She had certainly spoken +of the ghost in her ridiculous Scotch accent, but Leucha Villiers, +after careful consideration, determined not to be afraid of pure +nonsense. Was there ever a girl in creation who dried a ghost's +dripping hair? The whole thing was too silly. + +In accordance with Mrs Maclure's promise, a great many fresh girls had +arrived, and the full number of seventy was now nearly made up. It +would be quite made up by the end of the following week. + +Leucha liked the boy element in the school, and was exceedingly sorry +to part with it; but she perceived, to her intense satisfaction, that +the English contingent of girls at Ardshiel was very strong, and that, +notwithstanding all her audacity and daring, Jacko--of course she was +Jacko--could be kept in a minority. She felt there was no time to +lose, for Hollyhock looked at her with such flashing eyes, with such +saucy dimples round her lips, with such a very rare and personal +beauty, that Leucha felt she must get hold of her own girls at once, in +order to sustain the school against the wicked machinations of Jacko. + +Accordingly she got Lady Barbara Fraser and her sister Dorothy, also +the Honourable Daisy Watson, to meet her in what was called the Summer +Parlour, a very pretty arbour in the grounds, where materials for a +fire were laid, and where a fire could be lit in cold weather. + +Winter was approaching. It was now nearly October, and October in the +North is often accompanied by frosts and fallen leaves, and by bitter, +cold, easterly winds. Lady Leucha had, she considered, a very charming +manner. Having collected her friends round her, she went off with them +to seek for Mrs Macintyre. They found this good woman, as usual, very +busy, and very gentle and full of tact. + +'We have come with a request,' said Lady Leucha. + +'And what is that, my child?' asked Mrs Macintyre. + +'Mrs Macintyre,' said Lady Leucha, 'you have in your school far more +English than Scotch girls.' + +'That is true, my dear--at least, it is true up to the present. But I +have heard to-day from my dear friend Mrs Maclure that fifteen new +Edinburgh lassies will arrive on Saturday. You'll welcome them; won't +you, Leucha?' + +'I like English girls best,' said Lady Leucha. + +'That's natural enough, dear child. Well, you have a goodly number of +friends and relatives at the school.' + +'I have,' said Leucha; 'but I have come in the name of my cousins, +Dorothy and Barbara Fraser, and my great friend Daisy Watson, to say +that we do not approve of the manners of the new pupil.' + +'What new pupil, Leucha? There are a good many in the school.' + +'I know that. But I allude to that wild-looking child with black eyes +and hair, who talks the absurdest nonsense. Would you believe it, dear +Mrs Macintyre, she talks of coming here on moonlight nights and wiping +the hair of a ghost? Could you imagine anything so silly?' + +'It is a very foolish thing to say,' remarked Mrs Macintyre--'so silly +and impossible that if I were you, Leucha, I would not give it a second +thought. The child must have said it in pure fun. You are doubtless +alluding to Hollyhock, a splendid little girl.' + +'Well,' said Leucha, tossing her head, 'I don't care for girls who tell +untruths; and it is not only for that reason that I dislike her, it is +also because she has been so terribly rude to my cousins the Frasers, +and to my dear friend Daisy Watson. I can see that she intends to rule +the school, or at least to take a very leading position in it. Now +this I, for one, do not wish, and I do not intend to put up with it. I +think that I, as Earl Crossways' daughter, and the Frasers, who are +daughters of the Marquis of Killin'---- + +'And therefore Scots of the Scots,' interrupted Mrs Macintyre. + +'Well, at least their mother is English of the English, and they have +been brought up in English ways. They are _my_ relatives, and I do not +choose them to be treated rudely. There is also my very great friend +Daisy Watson. We are most anxious, dear Mrs Macintyre, for you to +allow us English girls, who at present are in a majority in the school, +the entire use of the Summer Parlour, giving it out as your desire that +no Scotch girl is to come into the parlour without our express +permission.' + +'I do not quite see how I can do that, Leucha. The Summer Parlour is +for the use of all, and why should my Scots lassies be excluded? I am +sure, notwithstanding your remarks, Leucha, the children you speak of +are both good and well-bred.' + +'That horrid creature they call Hollyhock isn't well-bred,' said Leucha. + +'She is a magnificent child,' said Mrs Macintyre. 'You don't know her +story or you wouldn't speak of her like that.' + +'_I_ don't want to hear her story,' said Barbara Fraser. 'I dislike +her appearance too much.' + +'Barbara, my dear, I am the last to encourage vanity, but Hollyhock is +quite the handsomest girl in the school.' + +'Oh, Mrs Macintyre, I do wish we had never come here!' said Leucha, who +looked extremely mournful and inclined to cry. 'Of course, I suppose, +mother must give you a term's notice, but there are really _refined_ +schools in England without wild Scotch girls in their midst.' + +'You must not speak against Scotland to me,' said Mrs Macintyre. +'Remember it is my native land--the land of the heather, and the lochs, +and the glorious mountains. It is the land of brave men and brave +women, and I will not have it run down by _any_ impudent English girl. +I've got so many other English girls coming to the school that the loss +of you four won't affect me much, Leucha Villiers.' + +This was taking matters with a very high hand, and Leucha, who had no +great moral strength, was thoroughly subdued. + +'I didn't mean to be rude to you, of course, dear Mrs Macintyre,' she +said, nudging her cousins as she spoke. 'I only said I did not like +that black-eyed girl. She's frightfully wild and rude, and I'm +accustomed to girls of a different type. Naturally indeed, being born +as I am. However, I ask now for permission to use the Summer Parlour. +Do you refuse it?' + +'If you don't want it for hatching plots or anything of that kind,' +said Mrs Macintyre, 'you English girls can have it till Saturday--no +longer, remember; and as the weather is turning very cold, you must pay +for your own fire, and, what's more, light it. For all my maids have +plenty of work to do in the house. Now, then, are you satisfied? The +Summer Parlour will be yours, beginning from to-day.' + +'Thank you, Mrs Macintyre; we are quite satisfied,' said Leucha, who +knew well how furious her mother would be were she removed from +Ardshiel, which, as the former home of _kings_, was considered most +distinguished. + +The girls went off quite mildly and gently. The day was drawing toward +evening. Their idea was to light a great fire in the Parlour, and then +go into the house for tea; after which they would prepare their +lessons, and then go back in a body to the Parlour to discuss the +enormities of that wicked girl who called herself Hollyhock. But, +alack and alas! the daughter of the Earl of Crossways and the daughters +of the Marquis of Killin had never lit a fire in their lives, and did +not know in the least how to set about it. They were not particularly +strong girls, and did not wish to sit in the Summer Parlour hatching +mischief against their schoolfellow without the comfort of a glowing +fire. + +'How queer and cross Mrs Mac. is!' said Leucha, turning to her +companions as they rushed off to the Parlour, knowing that they would +have at least half-an-hour in which to make it ready for their evening +talk. + +'No, no; she's all right,' said Barbara Fraser; 'and mother thinks the +world of her. If we left, girls, I don't know what father and mother +would say. They've always been wild to get us into a proper Scottish +school.' + +'How are we to light the fire?' whispered Leucha. 'Do you know how +it's done, Dorothy?' + +'Not I. Who 's that singing?' + +There was a wonderfully sweet contralto voice sounding from the cosy +depths of the Summer Parlour. The words the girl sang were as follows: + + 'The great Ardshiel, he gaed before, + He gart the cannons and guns to roar. + + +'Whisper now, lassies. Do you not know that "the oak shall go over the +myrtle yet"? We will settle some of the poor English girls yet. All +the same, I like the really nice English girls _ever_ so well. They +are so bonnie and so gentle, like my own sweet sister Jasmine. Where +could you see her like anywhere? And there is my own kinsman, the Duke +of Ardshiel! Ah! but I love him well!' + +The voice was undoubtedly the voice of Hollyhock, who, without rhyme or +reason, had lit a great fire in the old grate, and was comfortably +established there, with her four sisters and a number of Scots and +English girls scattered round. + +These young people were seated round the roaring fire, and Holly, with +her black locks and great glowing black eyes, was the centre of an +animated group. She was about to expand her views on the nice and +not-nice English girls, when in rushed Leucha and her friends. + +'You clear out of this,' she said. + +'Clear?' said Hollyhock. 'What is clear?' + +'There's the door,' said Leucha. 'Go!' + +'Not I,' said Holly. 'I find this little chair very comfortable.' + +She established herself with much grace and dignity, and the others +clustered round her. + +'You have got to go,' said Leucha, who was now in a towering passion. +'We have got Mrs Macintyre's permission to consecrate the Summer +Parlour to the English girls until Saturday.' + +'That seems a pity,' said Holly, 'for, you see, we _must_ put out the +fire. We built it, we lassies of Scotland, and we do not leave it +except to those English girls who are on our side. I rather think you +are up to a conspiracy, and you sha'n't hatch your plot by _our_ +fire.--Come, girls, she wants the Parlour and the fire, but she does +not want us. So, quick is the word. Stir yourself, Delphy; stir +yourself, Augusta; stir yourselves, all the rest. It is mighty damp +outside, so the faggots can cool themselves there. My word! I do not +think much of _some_ English maids. They have no manners at all. And +I telling such a fine tale about Ardshiel and his bonnie men. Well, +the Camerons are down now, but they will soon be up again. "The +Camerons are coming," say I. Never mind, girls; we 'll find another +place for our wee conspiracy.' + +In less than two minutes the fire no longer glowed and roared. The +coal smouldered feebly under the grate; the faggots were put in the +dripping rain, for the evening happened to be a wet one; and, in order +to make all secure, Hollyhock poured a jug of water over the rapidly +expiring fire. + +'There they lie,' she cried; 'but if any of you wants a proper fire +lit, not in anger, but in the spirit of love, I can and will undertake +the job. Ay! not a word!--Come away, girls. I know a little hut where +we can light a fire for our own conspiracy--a sort of a "cubby hole," +but loved by poor ghostie, and fit for our work. Come at once, girls. +Come at once.' + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE FIRE THAT WILL NOT LIGHT. + +The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis +of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to +relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the +kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least +acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the +powers of these ladies of high degree. + +Naughty Hollyhock's last effort before she left the Parlour had been to +pour a small jug of water over the fast-expiring coals. + +'I 'm thinking this will settle matters,' she said to her adoring +companions. 'Let them try their hardest now if they like, but we 'll +find our own cubby hole and light our fire somewhere else.' + +No sooner said than done, for Hollyhock was an adept at small manual +jobs. She had observed in her rambles over the Palace of the Kings a +small neglected hut, said to be haunted by the ghost from the +neighbouring loch. As Hollyhock had not a scrap of fear of the ghost, +knowing only too well that he did _not_ appear, and knowing also that +she could use him as a valuable weapon, she entered the hut, sent +Gentian flying for some fresh faggots, and with the aid of Margaret +Drummond and her own sisters, Mary Barton, Nancy Greenfield, Isabella +Macneale, and Jane Calvert, she soon had a glowing fire. They put by +in one corner a pile of faggots to place on the fire when tea was over, +after which they would have quite an hour to work out their conspiracy. +At tea, which was served on long tables in a beautiful old room, +Hollyhock looked more brilliant and more beautiful than ever. Leucha, +on the contrary, had a pale face and seemed chilled to the bone. + +'Did you leave your fire burning well, Leucha, my hearty?' inquired +Hollyhock. + +Leucha, of course, refused to reply. She sat looking down at her +plate, hardly eating the good things before her, but making up her mind +to punish that horrible _Jack_, even if she herself died in the effort. + +'Couldn't you find a small hut by the burnside; couldn't you now?' +continued Hollyhock in a coaxing tone. 'The Summer Parlour's grate is +hard to light up--it has an artful way with it--but a small _hut_ now, +with you sitting by the fire, could be easily managed. I 'd bring you +some faggots, if you said the word.' + +'No, thank you. I don't choose you to help me in any way.' + +'All right! I 'm not wanting to,' said Hollyhock. 'I'm very happy +without you, my Lady Leucha.' + +'Girls,' said one of the English mistresses, who felt quite certain +there was mischief ahead, 'I think you ought to take your tea, and be +quick about it. You will lose your recreation afterwards if you stop +to wrangle.' + +'What's wrangle, Miss Kent, dear?' asked Hollyhock in her sweetest +tones. 'I like well to hear your pure English words. We Scots talk +very differently, no doubt, but we are always willing to learn. So, +please, what's wrangle? And will you pass me a fresh scone, Miss Kent, +dear, for my appetite is far more than ordinary?' + +'Vulgar little glutton,' muttered Leucha to Dorothy Fraser. + +'She really _is_ attractive, all the same,' answered Dorothy. + +'Oh Dolly, you are not going round to her? That _would_ be the final +straw.' + +'No, I 'm not, of course; but I can't help admiring her funny ways and +her beautiful, noble sort of face.' + +'Noble!' cried Lady Leucha. + +'Yes, it is noble, although it is full of mischief too. You could have +had her as a _great_ friend, Leucha, and that girl is worth making a +friend of. I never saw her like before. She really haunts me.' + +'What haunts you, lassie?' cried Hollyhock. 'Is it my eyes so black, +or my cheeks so rosy-red, or my hair so curly, and black as the +blackest night? I 'm at your service. I'm willing to forgive and +forget this blessed minute if you'll all hold out the paws of +forgiveness.' + +Both Dorothy and Barbara longed to do so, but Lady Leucha put the final +extinguisher on their hopes by saying, 'No, never! Why, you are not +even a lady!' + +'Let's eat,' said Hollyhock. 'I waved the flag of peace, as the great +Ardshiel did once; but never again--don't you fear, lassies. No lady, +indeed! We 'll see who's the lady!' + +In vain Miss Kent tried to stop the angry torrent of words, but this +was the hour when the girls were allowed to talk freely. Mrs Macintyre +was not present, and all eyes in the room were fixed with admiration on +Hollyhock. + +'First, we 'd like to know--just for a diversion--what _makes_ a lady,' +continued the obstreperous lass. ''Tisn't birth--my certie! no. It +must be a sort of civilisation. It must be, to my way of thinking, a +give and a take. It must belong to the sort of person who has the +courage of her race, and will even wipe the hair of a ghost when he +comes to you in his trouble. That's what _I_ call a lady. Others may +differ from me.' + +'They do,' said Leucha. 'Liars are not ladies!' + +'You 'd better not call _me_ that.' + +'But I do. You never wiped the hair of a ghost.' + +'Let's drop the subject,' said Hollyhock. 'My sisters and I, and Mrs +Constable, and my father, and my five cousins, the Precious Stones, +have views that differ from yours entirely. I know your sort of lady. +I have read of her in books, but I never came across her till I met +you, Leucha.' + +'I 'd thank you to call me Lady Leucha.' + +'I won't, then. You are only Leucha to me in this school. I have +described what I call a lady. She's bountiful to the poor, and +kindness sits in her bonnie eyes, and love shimmers round her lips, and +her heart--why, it's pure gold; and she's all-forgiving, and all for +making up. There 's never a quarrel that a real lady would nurse; but +mayhap there's a different sort in England. They walk what you might +call _mincingly_, and they drop their words slow, and there's no flash +in their eyes, and no courage in them, and no daring in them. No doubt +they are very respectable, and they are very proud of their family. +Then they make their little curtsy, when their education is quite +finished, to the Sovereign on the throne; and they go to many a party, +and they dress like all the other girls--no individuality anywhere. +That would not be thought right for such an English lady. She marries +when she can get a man to have her. Many a time he's as old as her +father; but that doesn't count with _her_, she being what she is, +looking out for _respectability_. Ah, well! I 'm all for the Scots +lady. I don't care for grand parties or grand dresses; but I want my +bit of adventure, and I'll have it, too. Good-bye, Leuchy. I think I +have explained myself.--Come along, girls; we have our work cut out for +us. It would not do for that poor Leuchy to be cold this night. She +must have a living, warming thing to comfort her, poor Leuchy! Come +along; there's no time to spare.' + +The girls, headed by Hollyhock, left the room in a group, but for some +reason Jasmine remained behind. She was very much distressed by her +sister's manner of going on, and what followed would not have taken +place had she gone to the ghost's hut and joined in the 'conspiracy;' +but the other girls were now fairly mad with excitement, and Margaret +Drummond, a Scots girl, was so much in love with Hollyhock that she +would have done anything on earth for her. + +[Illustration: The Conspiracy.] + +'You are splendid, lassie!' she cried. + +The fire was quite out in the Summer Parlour, but it glowed warmly in +the ghost's hut. + +'It's here I dry his hair, poor fellow,' said Hollyhock, who was now +nearly beside herself with delight. 'Listen to me, girls. You are a +goodly group, and true to the heart's core, true to the soul of the +thing; but I 'm not going to be ruled over by Leuchy, though I don't +mind Barbara, or Dorothy, or that weak little Daisy looking on. It's +Leuchy who 'll get a fright this very night. Now, then, we haven't +long to lose, for the hours for pure enjoyment are few in number. I am +much deceived if we don't find many impediments in our path. Now, +lassies, I 'll show you on the spot what we have got to do. One of us +must go to The Garden, my home, to fetch wee Jean, the kitchen cat; and +another has to beg, borrow, or steal a saucer of cream for the little +beastie. That's about all. I 'll start off at once for the cat; and +you, Gentian, had best get the cream. I have been looking round the +house--don't I know every stone of it?--and you have got to get into +the larder. You know your way to the larder, don't you, Gentian?' + +'Yes,' said Gentian, who looked rather frightened. + +'Well, never mind, my lass. You have got to do it, and one of these +girls will help you. You were always nimble-witted, and you won't fail +your own sister-born in a conspiracy so innocent and so amusing. While +I 'm off alone for the cat, you other girls will find out the number of +Leuchy's room, and have the nice rich cream ready for poor Jean. She +can sleep with me afterwards. Well, then, off I go! Good-bye, +lassies; good-bye! Oh, I can tell you bogy stories that 'll make your +hair stand up straight; but this is the night for wee Jean.' + +Hollyhock, her head in the air, rushed quickly down the avenue. There +was plenty of time still, for the gates would not be locked before nine +o'clock. She went out, therefore, boldly, and reached the dear old +Garden. She wrapped her cloak well about her, so as to disguise +herself as much as possible, and went straight to the kitchen regions, +where the housekeeper, having very little to do now that all the girls +were out and the master was dining with Lord Ian Douglas, was sound +asleep by the kitchen fire. + +On her lap reposed Jean, also in profound slumber. Hollyhock whisked +her up in a hurry, petting and cuddling her all the time. A row of +baskets hung just outside the kitchen door. Hollyhock chose one, +placed a warm bit of felt at the bottom, put in a lump of butter for +Jean to lick, fastened her down securely in the basket, and was off and +away, back to Ardshiel. + +By that time the other girls had fully carried out the commands of +their liege lady. The cream had been secured by Gentian, who had +scraped her shins a little in climbing in at the window. She had put +the cream into a small jug, and had further procured a saucer. + +'That'll do fine,' said Hollyhock. 'Poor Jean, poor beastie, we +mustn't frighten her, or she 'll be off like a flash. Have you got the +number of the English lady's room?' + +Yes, Leucha Villiers's room had been discovered. Hollyhock went boldly +upstairs. The little room looked most luxurious. There were +eider-down quilts on every bed in the house, and a particularly pretty +silk one was on the bed of Leucha. Under the eiderdown was a snowy +light counterpane. The room had been already arranged for the night, +and would not be touched again by any one. Although the weather was +beginning to get cold, Mrs Macintyre did not consider it necessary to +have fires in the bedrooms just yet; but wee Jean, cuddled up in +Hollyhock's arms, purred into Hollyhock's face, and presently lay +contentedly down just under the eider-down. + +It did not take her long to fall into a deep sleep, and, this done, +Hollyhock placed the saucer brimfull of cream also under the +eider-down, but she slightly raised the latter by means of a little +pile of Lady Leucha's favourite books. When the cat awoke she would +drink her cream, and then sleep on until she was disturbed. + +Hollyhock was rejoiced to find that Lady Leucha's room was close to her +own; in fact, it was next door. She could, therefore, be on the _qui +vive_, and meant to be. + +The 'conspiracy' had begun, and she had no idea of shifting any blame +from her own shoulders. She wished to punish Leucha, and punish her +she would. Yes, the 'conspiracy' had begun. + +She went softly downstairs, followed by a trail of tittering girls, who +hardly knew how to restrain themselves. + +'Whist, can't you? Whist!' said Hollyhock. 'Do you want to spoil the +whole thing by unseemly mirth? Now, then, mum's the word. Wee Jeanie +shall sleep in my room to-night; but I somehow fancy that I have shown +Leuchy who means to be head of the school.' + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +CREAM. + +The kitchen cat was a very gentle beastie, except in the matter of +killing birds and mice. She had the usual fascination of her species +where these small victims were concerned; and she enjoyed life in the +way cats do, eating when hungry, and sleeping the rest of her days. +She slept now with the greatest comfort under the silken eider-down +quilt. She rejoiced in the welcome warmth and purred softly to +herself, not even troubling to regard the saucer of cream until she had +had her snooze. By-and-by she would attack her cream, being partial to +that beverage; but for the present she would slumber on, a creature +without care, without fear; a gentle, admirable kitchen cat. She +brought up her families when they arrived with all a mother's rectitude +and propriety, and when they were old enough to leave her, got rid of +them as quickly as possible--which means that she took no further +notice of them. She regarded them no longer as hers; they were cats, +and she preferred them out of the way. At the present time she had +just reared and got rid of a large family, and was in that luxurious +state of bliss when the good things of life appealed to her. Her +purring went on for some time, then ceased, being followed by deep +slumber. + +Meanwhile Hollyhock and her chosen companions were amusing themselves +in various ways downstairs. Supper would be to the minute at a quarter +to nine. Supper was a very simple meal, a stand-up affair, consisting +in winter of hot bread-and-milk, in summer of cold milk and biscuits. + +The Lady Leucha thought her supper a very poor affair, but she was too +cold, after her vain attempts to light the fire in the Summer Parlour, +to resist the steaming-hot, delicious milk. She took it standing up +not far from Hollyhock. She resolved in her own mind to take no notice +whatever of Hollyhock. Jacko was to the Lady Leucha as one who did not +exist, but in her busy, vain little brain she was forming schemes for +the undoing of this impertinent Scots lass. + +Lady Leucha was not specially clever, but she was what might be called +'cute,' and although during her first week at school she had had no +special desire to push herself forward in any way whatsoever, yet now +that Hollyhock--or, rather, Jack--had come, she was fully determined to +crush her, if not by guile, then by other means. She, a young lady of +distinction, could not stand such impudence; she, the daughter of the +Earl of Crossways, would _not_ be bullied by a mere nobody like Jacko. +But, unfortunately for herself, Leucha was not nearly so clever in +forming plans for the destruction of her enemy as was the dark-eyed, +flashing Hollyhock, who would dare and dare again until she showed by +her ways and devices that she was invincible. + +'Come, girls, it is time for you to take your supper and be off to +bed,' said Miss Kent, who observed that Leucha was seated close to the +fire in the great sitting-room, shivering not a little, and that +Hollyhock, with glowing cheeks and sparkling eyes, had established +herself at the far end of the large room, and was relating bogy tales +with great rapidity to her ever-increasing host of adorers. One by one +fresh girls crept up to join this group, and one by one, whatever their +nationality, they were heartily welcomed by Hollyhock, who called out +in her clear, sweet voice--for very clear and sweet it could +be--'Lassies, make room for the stranger. Be you English or Scots, my +lady dear, you are welcome to join my circle.' + +Thus the circle began to grow very large, and the hushed, dramatic +voice of the narrator caused her listeners to hold their breath, until +occasionally they burst into fits of hearty laughter. But the hour had +come. The bowls of bread-and-milk smoked on the sideboard, and all the +girls hurried to begin and finish their food. After supper they went +to say good-night to Mrs Macintyre, who prayed God to bless them and +give them all 'a good and peaceful night.' Then, accompanied by Miss +Kent, whose office it was to see them to their rooms, they went +upstairs. + +Leucha had slightly recovered her spirits, but not absolutely. As a +matter of fact, she was wild with jealousy. She had sat by the fire +with Dorothy and Barbara Fraser and Daisy Watson, but all the other +girls had gone over to the large circle, where the voice was so +mysterious and the eyes of the speaker so bright. In their heart of +hearts, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin were keenly anxious to +leave their dull friend Leucha, and join the merry, excited group at +the other end of the room. This, however, they dared not do, for their +mother would not have wished them to desert Leucha. + +'Well, I'm glad this day is over,' exclaimed that young lady, as she +reached her bedroom. 'I shall be glad to get between the sheets and +forget that horrid, noisy Jack.' + +'Ah, will you just?' thought Hollyhock, who overheard the word as she +turned into her own snug apartment. Her heart was beating hard and +fast. She was waiting for the _dénouement_. + +Lady Barbara and Lady Dorothy Fraser bade Leucha good-night, and went +much farther along the corridor. + +Leucha entered her room and turned on the light. The moment she did +this she began to sniff. What queer noise was this in the room? Was +there a clock anywhere, and had it gone wrong? She looked around her +and sniffed again. + +Hollyhock, prepared for all events, kept her door a little ajar, and +wee Jean, being slightly, very slightly, disturbed by the noise in the +room and the light which penetrated faintly under her eider-down quilt, +purred in a louder and more satisfied manner than ever. She thought +she might rise a trifle and begin to lap her cream. + +'What _can_ be the matter?' said Lady Leucha. This sharp and angry +tone slightly startled the kitchen cat, who raised herself slowly, +making a great heave as she did so of her own body and of the +eiderdown. The cream was close to her. The cream was sweet and +luscious; the cream would suit her to perfection. + +Lap, lap, lap, went her little tongue. In a fury--a blind fury--Leucha +rushed to her bed, tore aside the eider-down, and tried to catch the +wicked cat in order to fling her out of the window; but Hollyhock stood +in the room. + +'Don't,' she said. 'Poor beastie! I put her there for fun--for a bit +of a lark. I'll take her now. Don't you _touch_ my cat, or I 'll be +at you. I 'm sorry she has spilt the cream, but it hasn't had time to +get through to the blankets.--Here, come along, my pretty dear; come, +my angel Jean; you shall sleep along with your own mistress.--See, +Leuchy, the cream hasn't had time to get to the blankets, and it hasn't +touched the eider-down. I'll just whip off this white covering. Now +you see for yourself that you mustn't meddle with me. Best not. I 'm +all fire, I am; I 'm all glow, I am; I 'm all spirit, I am. There 's +no harm done, but would you like to hold the little cat while I remove +the sheet? Then you 'll be as tidy as possible, and you 'd best get to +bed, Leuchy. I 'll undress you after I have settled my cat. Here, +hold the small thing for a minute while I straighten things up.' + +But Leucha, who at first was speechless with horror, now raised her +voice to a mighty roar of indignation. + +'How dare you? How dare you? You wicked, ugly little girl! I can't +abide the sight of you! And to put a cat in my bed--a cat and cream, +forsooth! You don't get out of this scrape so easily as you think, +Miss _Jack_. I 'm going down this minute to speak to Mrs Macintyre.' + +'All right,' said Holly. 'I think you might do worse. I was willing +to be friends with you, but you wouldn't have it, so now I 'm t' other +way round, and I 'm thinking that I 'll carry most of the lassies with +me. But go, Leuchy. I meant to vex you, and I 'm not denying it. I +would have been different, but your haughty spirit forbade it; so now I +'m your chosen enemy, and you 'll have to fight me along with those in +the school who like me better than you.' + +But Leucha's fury had risen to its height. She dashed up to Hollyhock +and gave her a resounding smack on her right cheek. Hollyhock was +holding the cat, who, in the struggle, gave Leucha a savage scratch on +the hand, that lily-white hand of which she was so proud. It was a +great scratch going right across the back of the hand. In a moment +Leucha had fled from the room to seek Mrs Macintyre. Hollyhock flew +into her own chamber, put wee Jean carefully and tenderly into the +basket in which she had brought her from The Garden, stroked her for a +minute to cause her to purr again, cut a hole or two in the lid of the +basket to give the poor beast air, and then shoved cat and basket under +her bed. + +Instantly she returned to Leucha's room, took off the injured white +covering, shoved it into the soiled clothes-basket, turned down the +sheets, made the room look perfectly nice and tidy, removed the saucer, +which she carried into her own room and hid, also under the bed. + +She then sat and waited for events. They were not long in coming. +Leucha's anger was something prodigious. She forgot all about the +really frightful smack she had given Hollyhock on her rosy cheek. She +thought of nothing but her own indignities--the indignities committed +against an earl's daughter by a common Scots girl. + +She found Mrs Macintyre in her study. The good lady looked up in +amazement when the girl burst in. + +'My dear Leucha, whatever _is_ the matter? Why are you not in bed?' + +'In bed, Mrs Macintyre! Is it likely that I should be in bed when a +nasty, mean Scotch girl puts a horrid, common cat into it, and also a +great saucer of cream, which the cat spilt, injuring my favourite +edition of the works of Charles Dickens, which was given me by my +father on my last birthday? Will you kindly, Mrs Macintyre, _expel_ +that girl in the morning?' + +'Oh, my dear, I suppose you are alluding to Hollyhock?' + +'I 'm not; I 'm alluding to ugly Jack Lennox, beneath me in station, +beneath me in manners, beneath me in everything!' + +'Well, as to that,' said Mrs Macintyre, 'I'm sorry you are annoyed, +Leucha, but another girl would take the matter as a good joke, and win +the friendship of Hollyhock by overlooking the whole affair.' + +'I'm not that sort. I'm the daughter of the Earl of Crossways, and +she--she is nothing but a mischievous cad. She 'll ruin your school, +of course, Mrs Macintyre.' + +'I don't think so, my dear. I'm delighted to have her. As she has +annoyed you, and you wish it, I _must_ punish her, of course; but +whatever I do, I shall destroy neither her beauty nor her high rank.' + +'Her high rank, forsooth! What next?' + +'Yes; her father is the Honourable George Lennox, whose wife was a +Cameron, a near relative of the Duke of Ardshiel. I don't think there +is much difference between you in blood, Leucha, except the other way +round. We think a great deal indeed of the Duke in our region.' + +Leucha felt slightly stunned and more angry than ever. She knew well, +too well, that the Earl of Crossways was only the second earl of his +house, and that she had better not talk quite so loudly about her grand +lineage. + +'Do you _wish_ me to punish Hollyhock?' said Mrs Macintyre, fixing her +grave, gentle eyes on the angry girl's face. + +'Yes, of course I do--of course I do. Look at my hand!' + +'Oh, the poor cat has scratched it. I 'm sorry. I shall send Miss +Kent to you presently with a little cold cream to rub on it. You had +better keep it bandaged to-night, and it will be quite well to-morrow. +You must have frightened the cat or she would not have treated you like +that.' + +Leucha said nothing. She did not mention the fact that she had smacked +the cat's mistress. + +'I wish that young person, whatever her rank, to be punished,' she said. + +'Very well, my dear Leucha, come with me at once. I have now got to +hear _her_ side of the story.' + +'But surely you believe me?' + +'In a school like this, Leucha, I like to hear both sides. Whatever +happens among my girls, I must be impartial. Now come, for it is +getting late, and I myself must retire.' + +They went first of all into Leucha's room, which looked perfectly snug +and comfortable, all trace of the cat having been removed. + +'I see nothing wrong here,' said Mrs Macintyre. + +'She is too cute; she has hidden everything,' said Leucha. + +'Well, we 'll go to her room. Her room is next to yours. I thought, +being contrasts, you would be such friends.' + +Leucha shrugged her shoulders contemptuously, then waited with a +furiously beating heart while Mrs Macintyre knocked at Holly's door. + +'May I come in, my dear child?' she said gently. + +'Yes.' Hollyhock flew to the door and flung it open. 'Yes, please do, +dear Mrs Macintyre. I know I am a bold, bad girl.--Come in, Leuchy; I +don't mind you a bit.' + +'But how swollen your cheek is, my child!' said the head-mistress. + +'Oh, that's less than nothing. Poor little Jean is sleeping under my +bed, and if we talk too loud we may disturb her. I did it for +mischief. I 'm not going to deny it. I wanted to be friends with +Leuchy, but she would not have it; so then the soul of mischief got +into me, and I ran home to The Garden and fetched the cat, and put her +into Leuchy's bed. Oh! I know it was wrong of me. I 'm a bad Scots +lassie. But I love you, and I love the school, if only Leuchy there +would be friendly.' + +'Which I have no intention of being,' said Leucha. 'You see for +yourself, Mrs Macintyre, she denies nothing. She ran away without +leave to fetch that odious cat and put it in my bed.' + +'How did her cheek get so swollen?' said Mrs Macintyre. + +'Ah, well, we won't talk of that,' said Hollyhock. 'Girls that dare +must also endure. I 'm sorry Leuchy was so vexed and wouldn't make it +up.' + +'You are going to punish her, Mrs Macintyre,' said Leucha, 'are you +not?' + +'Yes, Leucha; but I 'm going to punish you too.-- Hollyhock, my +darling, you did wrong, and this your first day at school, too. The +punishment I am going to give you I 'm afraid you will feel. You may +take the kitchen cat back yourself to The Garden in the morning. You +had better start early, so as to be here again in time for breakfast, +and then you can tell your father that you will not return with your +sisters to The Garden on Saturday. I am sorry, my love; but order must +be maintained in the school. As to Leucha here, the story of the cat +will, I am sure, be known all over the school immediately; and Leucha, +when she shows her wounded hand, will have to explain _how_ she got +it--by slapping _you_ so violently on the cheek, thus rousing the +temper of the faithful cat. I shall insist on her publicly telling +what I know she did. Now, both girls, take your punishments like +gentlewomen and don't make a fuss. Good-night, good-night! I 'll send +Miss Kent to put a lotion on your cheek, Hollyhock, and to bind up your +hand, Leucha. Good-night! After prayers to-morrow the story of the +cat will be told, with, alas! Leucha's sad lack of forgiveness.' + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +THE GIRL WITH THE WAYWARD HEART. + +Hollyhock was a child who, with all her wildness, her insubordination, +her many faults, bore no malice. She did not know the meaning of +malice. The open look on her bonnie face alone proclaimed this fact. +She was really sorry for Leucha, and did not give her own swollen cheek +a serious thought. Of course it pained her, for Leucha had very hard, +bony little hands, and she struck, in her fury, with great violence. +But Hollyhock, as she termed it, would be but a poor thing if she +couldn't bear a scrap of pain. Nothing would induce her to grumble, +and although she bitterly regretted the punishment which lay before her +of not going home on Saturday, she would take it, as she expressed it, +'like a woman of sense.' + +Accordingly she got up early on the following morning, released poor +Jean, and carried her back to The Garden. There she put her into the +astonished arms of the old housekeeper, who said, 'Whatever ails ye, +lassie; and where did you find the cat?' + +'Here she is, and don't ask me any questions about her. Here she is, +safe and sound. She has been feeding on the richest cream, and if you +put her cosy by the fire, she 'll sleep off the effects. Is my Daddy +Dumps in, Mrs Duncan?' + +'Yes, my lassie; he 's at his breakfast.' + +'Well, I'm glad of that,' said Hollyhock. 'I have got to speak to him +for a minute, but I won't keep him long.' + +'Richt ye are, my dear; but whatever swelled your bonnie cheek like +that?' + +'Well,' said Hollyhock, 'it wasn't me, and it wasn't the cat; so don't +ask questions, for they won't be answered. I can't stop here. I must +go at once to Daddy Dumps. I have been a bad, wicked girl, and my +swollen cheek has been sent to me as a punishment.' + +'Whoever _dare_'---- began the old retainer, who in her heart of hearts +adored Hollyhock as the most precious of all the Garden Flowers. But +Hollyhock had left her. + +The cat was already asleep in her basket by the fire. George Lennox +was enjoying his excellent breakfast, and was busily planning out his +day. Lord Ian's work was remarkably heavy, and he missed his dear +Flowers. He was startled, therefore, when Hollyhock dashed into the +room. + +'Daddy Dumps,' she exclaimed, 'do not be frightened now, and don't pass +remarks on my swollen cheek. It was sent me as a punishment, and I 'm +not going to say to any one how I got it; but I 've come here, my own +Dumpy Dad, to tell you, darling, that your Hollyhock will not return on +Saturday with the four other Flower Girls. It's right, and I 'm +content. Good-bye, daddy; good-bye. I 'm struggling at that school, +and in a fight you often get a scar. When didn't the Camerons get a +scar, and weren't they proud of it, the bonnie men?' + +Before Mr Lennox could utter a word Hollyhock had rushed out of the +room, scarcely daring to speak any further or even to kiss her father, +for, with all her bravery, tears were very near her black eyes. + +She reached the big school in time for breakfast, where her swollen +cheek caused her adorers to look at her with amazed distress and +compassion, and Leucha and Daisy Watson to chuckle inwardly, whereas +the Fraser girls were as sorry for Hollyhock as they could be. + +Prayers followed breakfast; and then Leucha, by Mrs Macintyre's +command, had to discharge her painful task. She loathed the thing +unspeakably; but Mrs Macintyre had no idea of letting her off. + +'Come, Leucha,' she said, 'you have got something to say to your +companions. You are wearing a rag on your hand. Take it off.' + +'It hurts,' said Leucha, meaning her hand, for she clung to the rag as +a sort of flag of protection. + +'Take the rag off, and we 'll see for ourselves how much it hurts,' +said Mrs Macintyre. + +The girls and teachers all stood wondering by. The only one who felt +sorry was Hollyhock. The rag was removed, and Mrs Macintyre, gazing +keenly at the scratch, said in a disdainful voice, 'I never heard such +a fuss about nothing at all. Now, then, you will have the goodness to +tell the school in as few words as possible how you got that scratch on +your hand, and how Hollyhock got her poor face so swollen.' + +'It was the cat,' muttered Leucha. + +'The cat! What cat?' echoed from end to end of the long room. + +'Leucha, hold your head up and tell your story. If you don't tell it +at once, without any more shirking, I shall have you locked up for the +day in your room.' + +So Leucha, dreading this beyond anything--for a day in her room at the +present moment might mean anything--was forced to tell the story of the +previous night's adventure. She did tell it with all the venom of +which she was capable. She told it with her pale-blue eyes gleaming +spitefully. She was forced to go to the very bottom of the affair. + +'It was a silly trick, girls,' said Mrs Macintyre when the tale had +come to an end, 'and Hollyhock suffered, because the daughter of the +Earl of Crossways very nearly broke her jaw. Well, I 'm here to do my +duty. Leucha has had to explain. Another girl would have taken what +occurred simply as a joke and made nothing of it; but I grieve to say +that such is not Leucha Villiers's way; and as Hollyhock _did_ do +wrong, and as Leucha particularly _wishes_ it, I am forced to punish +her by not allowing her to go home on Saturday. It seems a pity; but +justice is justice, and Hollyhock is the first to think that herself.' + +'I am,' replied Hollyhock. + +'That's a dear child; and now you will try not to get into further +mischief.' + +But to this speech of kind Mrs Macintyre's Hollyhock made no answer, +for mischief was the breath of life to her, and to live without it was +practically to live without air, without food, without consolation. +She looked round the large and wondering school, and observed that all +eyes, with the exception of one pair, were fixed on her with great +compassion. + +'Hollyhock,' said Mrs Macintyre, 'is your cheek very painful?' + +'It hurts a bit,' said Hollyhock. + +'Then I think I must ask Dr Maguire to call round and look at it.' + +'Oh, don't, Mrs Macintyre! I deserved it--I did, truly.' + +But Mrs Macintyre had her way, and although she set the other girls to +their tasks, she provided Hollyhock with an amusing book, and placed +her near a great fire until Dr Maguire arrived and examined the +much-swollen cheek. + +'Why, you _have_ got a nasty blow, Miss Hollyhock,' he said. 'Did you +strike yourself against a tree, or something of that sort?' + +'No; 'tis nothing,' replied Hollyhock. + +'Well, however it happened is your secret; but I can only say that your +jaw was very nearly broken. It isn't broken, however, and I 'll get a +soothing liniment, which you are to keep on constantly during the day. +I suppose I mustn't inquire how this occurred?' + +'Best not,' said Mrs Macintyre; 'only get the dear child well.' + +'I won't be long over that job, with one like Miss Hollyhock.' + +So Hollyhock was petted very much all day; excused, by the doctor's +express orders, from all lessons; and sat cosily by the fire, enjoying +her new and very exciting story. By evening, however, the swelling had +gone down a great deal, and her mischievous spirit awoke again. The +girls, even the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, were positively +furious with Leucha, and more than ever took the part of the brilliant, +fascinating child, who had already won their hearts. + +It was the final straw to Lady Leucha when Barbara and Dorothy Fraser +declared boldly that they could not stand such a cruel fuss about +nothing. + +'If I were to tell our father, the Marquis, I really do not know what +he 'd say,' remarked Lady Dorothy. + +'_Almost_ to break a girl's jaw just for a mere joke,' added Lady +Barbara. 'Well, we intend to be friends with Hollyhock, whether you +wish it or not, Leucha.' + +So Lady Leucha felt herself to be the most desolate girl in the whole +school, the one person who clung to her side being little Daisy Watson, +whom she did not like and only put up with. + +The next morning Hollyhock was as well as ever, and told her sisters +that if Leuchy would make up with her, she was willing to extend the +hand of forgiveness. + +'You really are noble in your own funny way, Hollyhock,' said Jasmine. +She repeated Hollyhock's words to Leucha, taking care to do so when a +number of the girls were present. But Lady Leucha, whatever she was, +was obstinate. On her father's side she was well-born; but her mother +was a cross-grained lady, extremely ambitious and proud of nothing at +all, and Lady Leucha took after her mother. She wondered if it was +possible for her to get out of this odious school. + +She turned her white face, with her small, pale eyes, and fixed them on +Jasmine. 'I presume your silly sister wants an answer.' + +'She 's not silly,' replied Jasmine; 'but she would like an answer.' + +'Well, tell her from me that as far as the North Pole is from the +South, so am I from her, and ever will be. There now, what do you +think of that? I don't care who hears me. I 'm accustomed to ladies, +not to common little Scotch girls who tell lies.' + +Jasmine was too gentle, too firm, too really noble to make any +response; but as she went out of the room she was followed by a crowd +of girls, a few of whom turned round and hissed at Leucha. The hisses +were very soft, but, at the same time, very distinct; and this was the +final straw in the wretched girl's misery. + +As to Hollyhock, she was, greatly owing to Leucha's conduct, now the +ruling spirit in the school, not by any means as regards lessons, but +as regards what schoolgirls treasure so much, popularity and +good-fellowship. Even Barbara and Dorothy Fraser went boldly to her +side, and congratulated her on her self-restraint, and even apologised +for their cousin's unseemly conduct. + +Hollyhock's fine eyes lit up with a great glow. 'I do not care,' she +said. 'Poor lassie! I pity her; I do, truly!' + +'You are a wonderful girl, Hollyhock,' said Dorothy; 'and may my sister +and I join your circle to-night? And will you tell us some bogy tales?' + +'I will that,' said Hollyhock. + + 'And here's a hand, my trusty frien's, + And gie's a hand o' thine.' + + +She sang the words, and they were taken up immediately by every girl in +the school, with the exception of Leucha and the miserable, depressed +Daisy. But Hollyhock knew that she had her punishment to undergo. Was +not her own mother a Cameron of the great race, and would she disgrace +herself by crying out and making a fuss? 'The de'il is in me all the +same,' she whispered under her breath; 'but he 'll not show his little +horns until the Flower Girls are back at The Garden.' + +She was a passionate little poet, and she now sang softly under her +breath: + + The height of my disdain shall be + To laugh at him, to blush for thee; + To love thee still, but go no more + A-begging at a beggar's door.' + + +Then she burst forth in her really glorious voice with such fervour +that every girl within reach heard her: + + The meteor flag of England + Shall yet terrific burn, + Till danger's troubled night depart, + And the star of peace return. + Then, then, ye ocean-warriors! + Our song and feast shall flow + To the fame of your name, + When the storm has ceased to blow, + When the fiery fight is heard no more, + And the storm has ceased to blow!' + + +In spite of every effort, Hollyhock could not help putting a touch of +her beloved Scots accent into the great and glorious words of Thomas +Campbell. + +'Hollyhock, you 'll promise not to do any mischief while we are away?' +said Jasmine in her most coaxing voice when the hour for departure had +arrived. She hated beyond words leaving her sister at this crisis. + +'Ah, well,' replied Hollyhock, 'I'll make no promises. I 'll tell no +stories, and if things happen, why, then, I am not to blame.' + +'Oh, Holly darling, you frighten me!' + +'Don't be frightened, Jasmine; I 'm learning to be _such_ a good little +girl.' + +There was no help for it. The four Flower Girls departed, leaving the +fifth, and the naughty one, behind. + +Now it was as impossible for Hollyhock to keep out of mischief as it +was for the kitchen cat at The Garden to refuse to drink cream, but +Hollyhock meant at the same time to go warily to work. Some more fresh +girls were coming on this special Saturday, which made it all the +easier for her to carry out her little plan. The Fraser girls were now +devoted to her, but her slave--the one who would do anything on earth +for her--was Margaret Drummond. + +Hollyhock arranged, therefore, that Margaret should be her accomplice +on the present occasion. Her tales of bogies and ghosties--all of them +with a slight soupçon of truth in them--had excited the wonder and +fearful admiration of the schoolgirls, and when she suggested, as she +_did_ suggest, that 'poor little Leuchy might wipe the ghostie's hair +for her,' there was a perfect chorus of delighted applause. + +'But he won't come; he won't dare to come,' said Margaret Drummond. + +'Meg, hist, dear; let's whisper. Keep it to yourself. There's no +ghost; only they think, poor things, that there is, and that I dry his +dripping locks. Well, I want you to impersonate the ghost to-night. I +'ll dress you up, and you shall cross the path of Leuchy. Why, she'll +turn deadly white when she sees you at it.' + +'But, oh! I 'm frightened. I 'll get into trouble,' said Margaret. + +'And you won't do that for me? I thought for sure you loved me.' + +'I'd give my life for you,' said Margaret; 'but this is different.' + +'It's easy to talk about giving the life, for that's not asked; but +what I want is the love, and the proof of the love is that you shall +dress as poor ghostie, and beg in a _mighty_ mournful voice of Leuchy +to dry your dripping hair. I have got an old cloak and a peaked hat +that belonged to my grandmother's family, and I 'll alter your face a +wee bit, and nobody'll recognise you like that. Now come, Meg, you +won't refuse? I 'd do it myself, and do it well; only I _might_ be +discovered, but you wouldn't. Who'll think of Meg Drummond turning +into the ghost? You must clasp your skeleton hands and say _very_ +mournfully, "Dry my locks, sweet maid of England!" That's all. She'll +be sure to go out into the grounds, and the rest of us will be close +by, ready to catch her up if she swoons; and she 'll never guess to her +dying day but that she has seen a ghost.' + +The plot was prepared with immense care. It was the most tremendously +exciting thing that the girls had ever heard of, and even the Frasers +were drawn in, more particularly as the worst it could possibly do was +to give that naughty, proud Leucha a fright. They were very sick of +their cousin, and very angry with her; and it was finally decided that +the girl who was to come to her rescue in the moment of her terrible +extremity was to be Hollyhock herself. The others were all to fly out +of sight. Hollyhock was to desire ghostie to go, and was to support +Leucha into the house. After that--well, no one quite knew what would +come! + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +THE GREAT CONSPIRACY. + +There was suppressed excitement in the school, that sort which cannot +be described, but which most assuredly must be felt. Mrs Macintyre put +it down to the advent of the fifteen girls who had just arrived from +Edinburgh. + +Leucha stirred herself and made a vain endeavour to become friends with +them; but they were Scots to the backbone, and went over instantly in a +body to Hollyhock's circle. This was so immense now that it actually +comprised the entire school, except the poor miserable Daisy and the +naughty Leucha, whose anger against Hollyhock, combined with a kind of +undefined admiration, which she would not for the life of her admit, +grew fiercer and stronger hour by hour. It was like a great flame +burning in her breast. She would _do_ for Hollyhock yet, but how and +in what fashion? + +Hollyhock, meanwhile, collected her forces round her. The days were +getting very short. The nights were long and cold. Winter was on the +English girls--a Scottish winter, which caused them to shiver, +notwithstanding their comforts. Leucha was, however, far too proud to +confess that she did not like the weather. She spoke of the school in +tones of rapture to the new girls, who barely looked at her and +scarcely listened. Then they wont, some of them silently, some of them +with a rush, to Hollyhock. + +Leucha forced herself to praise the place, and nudged Daisy to do +likewise; but her praise was feigned, and the Scots girls did not pay +this uninteresting Leucha much attention. The fact that she had now +been a fortnight at the school did not affect them at all. The further +fact that she was the daughter of the Earl of Crossways had not the +least influence on them. They were jolly, merry, everyday sort of +girls; there was nothing specially remarkable about them, but as they +themselves said, 'Did not they belong to Old Scotia, and was not that +fact sufficient for any lassie?' Hollyhock entertained them in her +swift, bright way. She was not specially impressed by them, but they +were Scots of the Scots, as she was herself. + +So Leucha and the miserable Daisy spent their time alone, Leucha +arguing and wrangling with Daisy, and saying to her once or twice, +'What earthly good are you, Daisy Watson? Can you not think of any +plan by which to defeat that mischievous Scotch brat?' + +'I know of nothing,' replied Daisy. 'How can two English girls fight +against sixty and more? It isn't to be done, Leucha dear.' + +'It shall be done; it must be done!' retorted Leucha. + +'Well, I can't see my way,' replied Daisy. 'The best plan of all would +be for you to sink your silly pride, Leucha, and to join the others.' + +'And have _her_ queen it over me,' said Leucha. + +'Well, I don't see how you can help it,' answered Daisy. 'She _does_ +queen it over you, for it isn't only the Scots girls who turn to her, +but the English and the French. I don't see for myself what possible +hope you have. Never yet since the world was made could two overcome +sixty-eight. And, for that matter,' continued Daisy, 'I 'm feeling so +dull that although I _am_ fond of you, Leucha, I really am strongly +tempted to join that merry group, who are always singing and laughing +and making the hours go by on wings. It is very dull indeed for me to +have no one but you to talk to, and you grumbling all the time.' + +'Oh, I saw it would come to this,' said Leucha, rising in her rage. +'My last friend--my very last! I 'll write to mother and get her to +remove me from this school.' + +'Oh, I won't desert you, Leucha; only I do wish you were a little more +cheerful, and that we might join the others in their sport. You made +such a fuss just on the day Hollyhock came'---- + +'Don't mention her name; she makes me shudder!' + +'Well, I needn't; but you made such a fuss about securing the Summer +Parlour, and having a fire there, and concocting plans, and having a +lot of the girls with you--a great deal more than half the school; but +you never go near the Summer Parlour, and after to-night you won't have +any further right to it. Do come out, Leucha dear, and make another +effort to build up the fire. If the girls see us with a glowing fire, +a good many of them will come in for certain sure. I have been asking +the servants on the quiet how the thing is done, and it really seems to +be quite easy. You collect faggots, which I know I can get for you, +and small bits of coal; and I tell you what--whisper, Leucha--I have +been saving up a few candle-ends, and they are grand for making a fire +burn. Let's come along and try.' + +'No lady ought to know how to light a fire,' said Lady Leucha. + +'Oh, nonsense,' replied Daisy. 'It is a very good thing to learn; and, +anyhow, you needn't spoil your dainty fingers if _I_ undertake the job. +Nothing will collect the girls round us--the English girls, I +mean--like seeing us seated by the glowing fire.' + +'Well, anything is better than this,' said Leucha. 'And if you have +really collected the candle-ends and the faggots and the morsels of +coal, why, perhaps we 'll succeed.' + +'Yes, yes, of course we'll succeed,' said Daisy. 'What in the world is +there to hinder us? We have got our wits, I presume; and when we sit +in the Summer Parlour with a great blazing fire lighting up the place, +I shouldn't be a scrap surprised if Mary Barton, Agnes +Featherstonhaugh, and others joined us.' + +'I wouldn't have those Frasers now if they went on their bended knees,' +remarked Leucha; 'but if you will light the fire, Daisy, I don't mind +sitting by and watching you. I really, as the daughter of the Earl of +Crossways, cannot undertake so dirty a task.' + +'All right,' replied Daisy, 'if you do think so--and I'm quite as good +as you, remember--I 'll do my best. I 'll just run along now to the +Summer Parlour and see that the materials for lighting the fire are +there, Then I 'll come back and fetch you.' + +'Yes,' replied Leucha; 'I may as well see you at the job. You are +certain sure to fail, but conceit will have its way.' + +'Dear, dear,' thought Daisy Watson, 'what a very unpleasant girl Leucha +is becoming! I 'd leave her this blessed minute and go over to +Hollyhock, only perhaps Lady Crossways might be angry. Leucha gets +more like her mother each day--a kind of sneering look about her face, +which really gives her a most disagreeable expression. But friendship +is friendship, and I won't forsake her if I can help it.' + +So Daisy flew to the Summer Parlour, which was just perceptible in the +twilight. No place could look more cold and comfortless; but Daisy was +so madly anxious to do something that she set about her task with a +will. She had secretly purloined some faggots, bits of coal, and +candle-ends; but she had quite forgotten to ascertain whether the +faggots were dry or not; and she was equally ignorant of the fact that +as a rule even dry faggots require a small supply of paper to enable +them to 'catch' and attack the nice little black lumps of coal, which, +with the aid of the candle-ends, might yield a glowing, gleaming, +beautiful fire. She had made friends with one of the servants, and had +therefore an idea how to lay her fire. She had also secured a candle, +one solitary whole candle, which she placed in a brass candlestick. + +To all appearance everything was now ready. She felt certain that her +fire could not fail, and went back in high spirits to Leucha. + +'Come,' she said, 'come. I 'm ready to set fire to the pile.' + +A good many girls saw these two go out. They had wrapped themselves up +in warm cloaks, which were quite suited to the frosty weather. + +Leucha shivered as she walked in the direction of the Summer Parlour. +The new girls were now busily engaged at a private and luxurious tea +with Mrs Macintyre, which was the invariable tribute paid to each new +pupil. They were, therefore, out of the way. + +'The hour strikes,' said Hollyhock. 'Come along, Meg.' + +Meg shrank and shivered. 'Oh, but, Holly, I'd much rather not.' + +'It is too late to change now, dear Meg. You must just think of the +ghost, and the ghost only. Come at once to the ghostie's hut, and I +'ll dress you up.-- Lassies, the rest of you had best keep out of +sight, although you are welcome to linger in the shrubbery to see the +fun. But now listen. When _I_ give the words, "Go, ghostie! _Run_, +ghostie, run! I cannot dry your wet hair this night, for I have a +lassie lying in a swoon across my arms," then you must scatter, scatter +with all the speed you have in you, or the sport will be spoiled.' + +So, while Leucha and Daisy were struggling in vain with the fire in the +Summer Parlour, which flared up occasionally with a woeful gleam, and +then expired, and while Leucha felt crosser and crosser each moment, +and the night fell over the land, in the ghost's hut Margaret Drummond +was being dressed up to impersonate the hapless youth who had suffered +death by drowning on the night before his wedding. + +Hollyhock was in the wildest excitement as she arranged Margaret +Drummond for her part. Margaret was fortunately extremely tall and +thin. Her hands were made to represent those of a skeleton by means of +a quantity of white chalk and black charcoal. Her face was likewise +covered with this ghastly mixture. She was then wrapped from head to +foot in an old Cameron cloak, which Hollyhock had secured from The +Garden during the week. On her head she wore an old-fashioned peaked +hat and a wig with long, dripping locks. Her own hair had been tied +tightly out of sight. + +'You are wonderful,' sighed Hollyhock. 'There isn't a boy in the land +that could beat you. Now, then, stay where you are until I come to +fetch you. Then, when I say, "Fly, ghostie! away, ghostie!" you can go +back to the hut and take off the disguise which turns you into so +fearsome an object. I have brought a jug of hot water, and here is a +basin, and you can wash your face and hands. Leuchy will certainly not +recognise you. And now I must be off, for the conspiracy--the best of +all--has begun.' + +Hollyhock, beside herself with mirth, had, however, not forgotten to +give the poor ghostie an old-fashioned lantern, which she was to hold +in such a position as to show off her skeleton hands and ghastly face. +This was left lighted in the hut. There was little time to lose, for +soon the girls would be expected to return to the house for their +excellent Saturday supper, a special treat which was given to all those +girls who could not go home. + +Hollyhock rushed up to the Summer Parlour. The night was clear and +cold, but there was not a breath of wind blowing. All in vain the two +girls were bending over the fire, which refused to catch. Heaps of +girls were peeping in and watching the efforts of the two who were +trying to light the fire. + +'I never did _such_ dirty work in my life before,' said Lady Leucha. +'Come back to the house, Daisy. I shall be sick if I sit and shiver +here any longer.' + +'There 's one more bit of candle,' replied Daisy. 'Perhaps that will +do the job. I never heard of a fire being so difficult to set glowing.' + +'And I never heard of a girl being so vain and silly,' remarked Leucha. + +Hollyhock whispered to her companions, who immediately dispersed into +different parts of the grounds. The night was perfect for her purpose. +She felt half-mad with delight. She was only sorry for Daisy, who +meant no harm, but was in leading-strings to that proud Lady Leucha. +Leucha deserved her fate richly. Daisy did not. + +Hollyhock whispered certain directions to her followers to try to get +Daisy out of the way. This they promised, feeling quite sure that they +could easily manage it. + +Just as Daisy's last morsel of candle expired a voice sounded from +afar: 'Daisy Watson, you are wanted in the house. Go in as fast as you +can!' + +Two or three girls boldly entered the Summer Parlour, clasped Daisy by +both arms, and dragged her toward the house. Leucha was now alone. +She was wild with rage at this final desertion. + +Wrapping her cloak round her, she prepared to step out of the Parlour. +The Scots, the English, and the French girls all hid behind trees. +Hollyhock was near, but not too near. Leucha wrapped her cloak tightly +round her. It _was_ cold! She would be glad to get in out of the +bitter air. She made up her mind to write that very night to her +mother to remove her at any cost from this horrible school; but +although she made up her mind, she knew quite well that the said mother +would pay no attention to her. Was it not the aim of her life to have +her only girl educated in the Palace of the Kings? And she was the +last person to be influenced by mere girlish sadness and loneliness. + +All these thoughts flashed through Leucha's mind as she stepped into +the still, frosty night. She went a few yards; then she stood +motionless, transfixed, turned for the time being into stone. +What--what was this horror coming to meet her? A tall figure with +skeleton hands and face, wearing a very mournful expression in the +eyes--a figure that walked slowly, solemnly, such as she had certainly +_never_ seen before. She felt herself alone and a long way from home, +for the Summer Parlour was quite a distance from the house. The figure +held a lantern in its skeleton hands, which was so cleverly arranged +that it lit up the worn features and revealed the dripping locks. + +'Dry my hair, my wet hair!' cried the ghost in a deep sepulchral voice. +'Kind English maid, be so kind as to dry my hair!' + +Leucha gave vent to an irrepressible shriek of horror. She had always +hitherto laughed at the bare idea of the ghost; but now most truly she +believed it. The ghost--the ghost in very truth--was there. He was +facing her; he stood before her; he stood in her very path. How +mournful, how horrible, was his voice! How more than fearful was his +appearance! Her blood ran cold; her hair seemed to stand upright on +her head. Indescribable was her horror. + +'Go, ghostie!' suddenly cried a familiar voice, 'You have no right to +torment an English maid. I 'll come out presently and dry your locks; +but be off with you now, be off! Get away, or I'll never dry your +dripping locks again!' + +The ghost gave a hollow moan. There was the sound of many feet running +in different directions, and Leucha would certainly have fainted had +not Hollyhock put her firm young arm round her. + +Oh, how she hated Hollyhock! And yet how she loved her at that moment! +The warm feeling of human flesh and blood was delicious. Lady Leucha +clung to Hollyhock and laid her head on her shoulder. + +'Come, girlie; come,' said Hollyhock in her most seductive tones. 'My +Lord Alasdair had no right to ask _you_ to dry his locks. Lean on me, +lassie; lean on me. You did get an awful shock.' + +'Oh, oh,' sobbed Leucha, 'then I did see a ghost!' + +'You saw what you saw. Come along home now. I 'll see to you.' + +'You are--Hollyhock,' said Leucha. + +'Yes; and whyever not?' + +'Then there _is_ a ghost, and you are going to dry his hair! How _can_ +you--how _can_ you?' + +'Poor ghost! I must do my little bit to comfort him,' said Hollyhock. +'Eh, but you are a real brave lass, that you are, Leuchy, my pet. Now +lean on me, and I 'll bring you in to the cosy house, and the warm +fire, and the good supper. There's no malice in Hollyhock. She's only +a bit wild. Oh, but won't I give it to that ghost; he had no right to +ask those services of an English girl!' + +Firmer and firmer did Hollyhock support her trembling companion, and +the girl who hated her, but who clung to her so tightly at that moment, +entered the house with Hollyhock's arms about her. + +There were a number of girls in the great hall--the most magnificent +hall in the country. + +'Poor thing!' said Hollyhock, 'the ghostie walks this night, and I must +run to dry his wet locks; but get something hot for Leuchy to drink, +and comfort her all you can, lassies. A Scots ghost--my word! he had +no right to beg for the services of a maid from England. I of +Caledonia will go out and dry his wet locks!' + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +LEUCHA'S TERROR. + +While Leucha was undergoing her heavy punishment, and while the +supposed ghostie was walking in the grounds of the Palace of the Kings, +a very different group had assembled at the dear old Garden. Mrs +Constable's school, her Annex, was filling fast with the bonniest boys +that England and Scotland could produce. + +Mr Lennox kept a holiday for the great occasion, and on Saturday night +there were high jinks at The Garden. The only one of that happy party +who felt, in spite of herself, a little anxious, a little nervous, was +Jasmine, for she could not help being concerned about the defiant +expression in the bright eyes of Hollyhock. She thought of Holly +notwithstanding all the fun and the merriment, but the delight of +talking again to her dear brother-cousin Jasper dispelled her fears. +She had little time for serious thought. This was surely a right good +day, and she was soon enjoying it as fully as the rest. Of course, Mrs +Constable brought her strange laddies with her, as well as her own dear +boys, and many and gay were the songs they sang and the games they +played. Two of the songs they sang were the following, from the +beloved lips of Robert Burns: + + Ae fond kiss, and then we sever; + Ae fareweel, and then for ever! + Deep in heart-wrung tears I 'll pledge thee, + Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee. + + Had we never loved sae kindly! + Had we never loved sae blindly! + Never met--or never parted, + We had ne'er been broken-hearted. + + Fare-thee-weel, thou first and fairest! + Fare-thee-weel, thou best and dearest! + Thine be ilka joy and treasure, + Peace, enjoyment, love, and pleasure. + + +This pathetic song was immediately followed by the well-known strains +of 'Bonie Lesley:' + + O saw ye bonie Lesley, + As she gaed o'er the Border! + She's gane, like Alexander, + To spread her conquests farther! + + To see her is to love her, + And love but her for ever; + For Nature made her what she is, + And never made anither! + + Return again, fair Lesley, + Return to Caledonie! + That we may brag we hae a lass + There's nane again sae bonie! + + +'Come, children,' said Mrs Constable, 'we 'll not have any more Scots +songs at present. Some of us are not Scots, remember. I now propose a +really good game of charades. Who is agreed?' + +All went well, and better than well, and even Jasmine forgot her +undefined fears, until a little past ten o'clock, when a wild-looking, +half-scared girl rushed in and said, 'Oh, the poor thing--the poor +thing--and I meant no harm--I did not, really!' + +'What is the matter?' said Mr Lennox. + +'I am called Margaret Drummond, and there's such an awful to-do at the +Palace of the Kings that I 'm afraid to go back there!' + +'But what have _you_ to do with it? What can be wrong?' said Lennox. + +'Oh, I had a great deal to do with it; but, please, I 'd rather not +say, for the one I speak of bade me not to say. Oh, but there is a +fuss! It's poor Leucha. She's screaming and crying, and nothing will +help her. The doctor has been there, but he can't quiet her a bit. +She clings to Hollyhock and says, "Save me from the ghost; save me from +the ghost!" And the doctor says that if she is not quieted, she may +get really bad before the morning.' + +'Father,' said Jasmine suddenly, 'I know Margaret Drummond well, and +she's a fine girl; and if you'll allow me, I 'll go straight back with +her to the Palace of the Kings.' + +'But why should you, my love? Our Hollyhock has had nothing to do with +this!' + +'Nothing; less than nothing,' muttered Margaret Drummond. + +'She could not have had, for this girl, Leucha, or some such name, is +clinging to her. But still, if you wish to go, Jasmine, and think that +you can do any good, start away at once, my lass. You can come back +to-morrow morning.' + +So Jasmine went with Margaret, who looked really sick with terror, and +clung to her companion as Leucha had clung to Hollyhock. + +'There now, there now, we'll soon put things right,' said Jasmine. +'It's an awful pity that you don't tell the truth, Meg!' + +'I do tell the truth--I do. I cannot go back on my word.' + +'Well, then, you must leave the matter to me. The only thing I can do +is to soothe Leucha as best I can; while you must walk boldly into the +house. It's your bed-hour and past it, isn't it?' + +'Yes, yes; but I have no heart to eat or to sleep.' + +'Well, you go straight up to your room, Meg, and get into bed as fast +as you can, and I 'll bring you up something. If you have sworn +secrecy you must keep it; but whatever happens, don't be frightened. +Leucha is very weak of nerve, and has been feeling our desertion most +cruelly, I 'm thinking.' + +'Not a bit of it,' said Meg. 'She's a perfectly horrid girl. Even +Daisy has left her now!' + +'Dear, dear, poor thing!' said Jasmine. 'Then she must be lonely!' + +'She is, I have no doubt; but she has got our Hollyhock with her now.' + +'That is altogether too remarkable,' said Jasmine. 'I fear I shall +have to look into the mystery. But get you to bed, Meg. Don't appear +at all. I 'll see that some supper reaches you soon. In the meantime +I must attend to Leuchy and her new nurse, Hollyhock! My word! +Hollyhock turned into a nurse!' + +Accordingly, the two girls entered the great hall, which was empty +except for one or two teachers, who were still sitting up with anxious +expressions on their faces. + +Meg took the opportunity to fly to her room, where presently a great +bowl of Scots gruel was brought to her. She had long ere now carefully +removed the last traces of the ghostie. There was no sign of the ghost +about this commonplace girl any longer. She was glad to get her gruel, +and tumbled into bed, trusting that Jasmine, who was so wise and +clever, would put wrong right. But, alas for Margaret Drummond! wrong +is seldom put right in this world of ours without pain, and although +she slept soundly that night, her task of confession lay before her on +the following morning. + +Jasmine, entering the house, went boldly up to her sister's room, which +she found empty. She then, without knocking, opened the door of +Leucha's bedroom. Leucha was supported in bed by Hollyhock, who was +feeding her with morsels of choice and nourishing food, and was talking +to her in the gentlest and most soothing way. + +'Who is that?' said Leucha in an angry tone. + +Hollyhock looked annoyed for a moment, but then the irrepressible fun +in her nature sparkled in her bold, black eyes. She sat in such a +position that the pale-eyed Leucha was resting against her shoulder. +Her soft hands were gently soothing Leucha's long, thin hair, and she +kept on saying, 'Whist, lassie; whist! He did a daring thing, but he +'ll never do it again to you, my bonnie bit of London town.' + +'Are you sure, Hollyhock? Are you certain he won't come back?' + +'Haven't I dried his hair and sent him to his rest in the bottom of the +lake, and didn't I tell him not to dare to speak to a lady again who +was not Scottish born and bred? He was frightened, was the poor ghost, +and he went away _so_ humble. He would not go without my drying his +hair. No, no, you have nothing to fear!' + +'Oh Hollyhock, I hated you so much; but I love you now. I do really. +Couldn't you sleep in the bed with me?' + +'To be sure, my lassie; and whyever not? You got a nasty stroke of a +fright; but he 'll come no more. I wish with all my heart I could put +a bit of flesh on his skeleton hands and skeleton face. I do pity him +so much, so lonesome he is and so sad. But he won't trouble _you_ any +more, my little lass, and I 'll sleep beside you this night.' + +'Who is that coming into the room?' said Leucha, as Jasmine appeared on +the scene. + +'I've heard a great talk about a ghost,' said Jasmine. + +'Well,' cried Hollyhock, 'we had better drop the subject. The poor +thing is so frightened, she doesn't know what she's doing. I feel, +somehow, my whole heart drawn out to her. Leave her to me, for +goodness' sake, Jasmine. I'm just quieting her off. She's too excited +to talk about the ghost any more to-night.' + +'I 've seen the ghost--the real ghost,' said Leucha, looking with +hollow eyes at Jasmine. 'He does walk, and he's very tall, and has +skeleton hands and a skeleton face; and he asked me--_me_--to dry his +wet hair!' + +'Oh, do leave us alone now!' said Hollyhock. 'Am I not trying to +quieten her down, and you disturb everything?' + +'I must speak to you, Hollyhock; I really must.' + +'No, no; you mustn't leave me for a minute!' cried Leucha. 'You are +the only one with courage in the school. I 'd go mad if you were to +leave me now.' + +'I'll talk to you in the morning,' said Hollyhock. 'I cannot leave +her; see for yourself how excited she is.' + +Jasmine certainly saw that Leucha was terribly excited, that she had +got a fearful shock; and although _she_ could put Leucha's mind at +rest, on the other hand, Hollyhock, for the time, had won her round. +Hollyhock, the soul of mischief, whom Leucha had so openly defied, was +now her one support, her sole comfort. Jasmine made up her mind with +some reluctance to let the matter lie over until the morning; then, of +course, it must be told, and by Hollyhock herself. She felt sorry; for +this mischievous little sister had won the coldest heart of the coldest +girl in the school, and if justice was not done, she would cling to +Hollyhock for ever. Was it necessary that justice should be done? + +Jasmine went slowly away to her own room, determined to think matters +over very gravely, wondering if she would do a wise thing, after all, +in declaring Hollyhock's guilt. + +'What a girlie she is!' thought the sister. 'There never was her +equal. She really has achieved a marvellous victory; but, oh, it was +naughty; it was wrong! I do wonder what I ought to do!' + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +JASMINE'S RESOLVE. + +The whole circumstances of the case kept Jasmine wide awake during the +greater part of the night. She slept and woke again, and each time she +slept she saw a picture of her naughty sister Hollyhock and of that +unpleasant girl, Leucha Villiers, clinging together as though they +were, and always would be, the very greatest of friends. + +Now Leucha, in her way, was quite as troublesome an inmate of the +school as was Hollyhock; but whereas Hollyhock was the life and darling +of the school, Leucha, the uninteresting, the lonely, the proud, the +defiant, the cold, cold English girl, chose to be alone with the single +exception of a friend, who was as uninteresting as herself. + +Hollyhock, in the most extraordinary--yes, there is no doubt of it--in +the most _naughty_ way, had brought Leucha round to her side. But if +Leucha were told the truth that a hoax had been played upon her, that +there was no real ghost, then indeed her wrath would burn fiercely; +and, in fact, to put it briefly, there would start in the school a +profound feud. Several of the girls, more especially the English +girls, would go over to Leucha's side. Yes, without the slightest +doubt, a great deal of mischief would be done if she were told. Poor +little Jasmine had never before been confronted by so great a problem. +Hitherto in her sweet, pure life right had been right and wrong wrong; +but now what was right?--what _was_ wrong? + +She turned restlessly and feverishly on her pillow, and got up very +early in the morning, hoping to have a quiet talk first with Hollyhock, +then with Margaret Drummond. She was not particularly concerned about +Margaret, who naturally followed the lead of a strong character like +Hollyhock's. Nevertheless, she had left her the night before in such +stress of mind that whatever happened, whatever course they pursued, +she must be soothed and comforted. + +Jasmine was relieved to find Hollyhock standing outside Leucha's door. +Hollyhock looked quite wild and anxious. + +'Oh, but it's I that have had an awful night, Jasmine!' she exclaimed. +'She has gone off into a sleep now, poor thing; but I never, never did +think that she would take this matter so to heart. We mustn't tell +her, Jasmine. It would kill her if she knew.' + +'But, Holly, you really are incorrigible. How am I to go on in the +school if you play these terrible pranks?' + +'It's the mischief in me joined to a bit o' the de'il,' retorted +Hollyhock. 'But she must _never_ know--never. I have been up with her +the whole night, and she has just dropped off into slumber. I must go +back to her immediately. You won't tell, Jasmine darling? It would do +her a cruel wrong. I have brought her round to me at last, the poor, +ugly thing; but if she was to learn--to learn! Oh Jasmine, it would be +just too awful!' + +'Well,' said Jasmine, 'I do not see how we are to keep it from her; but +you have certainly won her in a most remarkable way. You must promise +me, Holly darling, that you 'll never play such a wicked prank again.' + +'Never--never to _her_, poor Leuchy! I can make no further promises, +being chock-full of mischief as an egg is full of meat.' + +'Well, I 'll allow it to remain as it is at present. I doubt if I 'm +doing right; and I doubt if it can be kept from her, for so many girls +in the school know.' + +'Oh, I 'll manage the girls. You leave them to me, Jasmine, and go +back to The Garden.' + +'It father knew what you had done he would not allow you back to The +Garden until the end of term,' replied Jasmine. + +'What! when I have won the bit speck of a heart of the coldest girl in +the school?' + +'Well, at any rate, we will let things be at present; but I must go up +and speak to Margaret Drummond. She is fretting like anything about +the whole affair.' + +'Meg,' said Hollyhock in a tone of contempt--'let her fret; only tell +her from me to keep her tongue from wagging. Why, she was cut out for +a ghostie, so thin and tall she is. I had only to use a wee bit of +chalk and a trifle of charcoal, and the deed was done. A more +beautiful live ghost could not be seen than Meg Drummond. She did look +a fearsome thing. I have put the old cloak and the Cameron's cocked +hat in a wee oak trunk in the ghost's hut. Here is the key of the +trunk, Jasmine. You run along and lock it. Now run, run, for I hear +Leucha twisting and turning in her sleep. I must get back to her. You +manage Meg, and lock the trunk, and we are all right--that we are.' + +Jasmine felt, on the contrary, that they were all wrong; but, overcome +by Hollyhock's superior strength, she obeyed her young, wild sister to +the letter. She found, however, that her task with Meg Drummond was no +easy one. Meg had a very sensitive conscience, and now that the fun +was over, and she was no longer acting as poor ghost with his dripping +locks, she felt truly horrified at what she had done. The only road to +peace was by confession. Of course she would confess and put things +all right; there was nothing else to be done. Nevertheless, after a +vast amount of arguing on the part of Jasmine, who assured her that if +she told the simple truth _now_, Leucha might and probably would become +most alarmingly ill, and that she would certainly hate poor Hollyhock +to her dying day--for Jasmine well grasped the true character of the +English girl--Meg began to waver. + +'Still, I _ought_ to confess,' said Margaret Drummond. 'I 'm willing +to accept any punishment Mrs Macintyre chooses to put upon me.' + +'Oh, dear Meg,' exclaimed Jasmine, 'I've been thinking the matter over +all night--backwards and forwards have I been twisting it in my +mind--and though I do think you did wrong, and Holly did _worse_ than +wrong, yet she has achieved a wonderful victory. She has secured for +herself the passionate love of the coldest and most uninteresting girl +in the school.' + +'I do not care for that,' said Margaret. 'She's just nothing at all to +me; and I did wrong, and I ought to confess, for the good of my soul.' + +'Oh, nonsense, Meg; don't be such a little Puritan. Leucha is far from +well now, and the only person who can calm and control her is Holly. +If you take Holly away from her, which you will do by confession, you +may possibly have to answer for Leucha's very life. Be sensible, Meg +dear, and wait at any rate until I come back on Monday morning.' + +'I 'll wait till then,' said Meg; 'but it's a mighty heavy burden, and +Holly had no right to put it on to me, and then to act the part of +comforter herself. My word! she is a queer lassie.' + +'Well, let things bide as they are till to-morrow at least,' said +Jasmine. 'And now I _must_ go home or father will wonder what is the +matter.' + +Jasmine, having made up her mind that Leucha was not to be told, went +with her usual Scots determination to work. She visited poor ghostie's +trunk in the hut, and having secured from her favourite Magsie a large +sheet of brown paper and some string, she not only locked the trunk, +but took away all signs of the adventure of the night before. The bits +of chalk, the sticks of black charcoal, the cloak, the pointed hat, the +wig, were all removed. The hut looked as neglected as ever, and the +trunk, empty of all tell-tale contents, had its key hung on a little +hook on the wall. + +Then Jasmine returned to The Garden, bearing ghostie's belongings with +her. All this happened at so early an hour that Jasmine had time to +put away the cloak of the Camerons, the peaked hat, the wet wig, into a +certain cupboard where they were usually kept in one of the attics. +She then went downstairs, had a hot bath, put on her prettiest Sunday +frock, and joined the others at breakfast. Of course, there were +innumerable questions asked her with regard to her sudden departure the +night before, and also with regard to the distracted-looking girl who +had burst into their midst in the great hall in The Garden. But +Jasmine, having made up her mind, made it up thoroughly. + +'I did not expect it of a Scots girl,' she remarked, 'but I 'm thinking +that all is right now, and we can enjoy our Sabbath rest without let or +hindrance.' + +Sunday was a day when Cecilia Constable and her brother brought up +their children with a strictness unknown in England. Games and fairy +tales were forbidden; but when kirk was over, they were all allowed to +enjoy themselves in pleasant and friendly intercourse. + +Meanwhile matters were not going well at the Palace of the Kings; for +Leucha, never strong mentally, had got so serious a fright that she was +now highly feverish, and neither the doctor nor Mrs Macintyre could +make out what was the matter with her. The girls were requested to +walk softly and whisper low. The house, by Dr Maguire's order, was +kept very still, and Hollyhock took possession of the sickroom. There +she nursed Leucha as only she could, soothing her, petting her, holding +her hand, and acting, according to Dr Maguire, in the most marvellous +manner. + +'Never did I see such a lassie,' was his remark. 'She has the gift of +the real nurse in her.--But, Miss Hollyhock,' he continued, 'you must +not be tied to this sickroom all day. I must 'phone to Edinburgh and +get a nurse to attend to the young lady.' + +'I 'll have no one but Hollyhock,' almost shrieked the distracted +Leucha. + +'Yes, doctor dear, I think you had best leave her to me. I 'm not a +bit tired, and we understand one another.' + +'I do believe this poor child has been up with her all night,' said Mrs +Macintyre. + +'And what if I have?' cried Holly. 'Is a friend worth anything it she +can't give up her night's rest? I 'll stay with my friend. We +understand one another.' + +So Hollyhock had her way; and although the girls whispered mysteriously +downstairs, and Meg Drummond looked ghastly and miserable, neither Mrs +Macintyre nor any of the teachers had the slightest suspicion of what +had really occurred. + +Daisy Watson, it is true, ventured to peep into Leucha's room; but the +excited girl told her, with a wild shriek, to go away and never come +near her again, and Hollyhock and Magsie managed Leucha between them. + +Hollyhock was now the soul of calm. She coaxed the sick girl to sleep, +and when she awoke she told her funny stories, which made her laugh; +and she herself sat during the greater part of that day with her hand +locked in the hot hand of Leucha. It was she who applied the soothing +eau de Cologne and water to Leucha's brow. It was she who swore to +Leucha that their friendship was to be henceforth great and eternal. +On one of these occasions, when Hollyhock had to go downstairs to one +of her meals, Leucha welcomed her back with beaming eyes. + +'Oh Hollyhock, I used to hate you!' + +'Don't trouble, lassie. You have taken another twist round the other +way, I 'm thinking.' + +'I have--I have. Oh Hollyhock, there never was anybody like you in the +world!' + +'I 'm bad enough when I like,' said Holly. 'Shall I sing you a bit of +a tune now? Would that comfort you?' + +'I 'm thinking of that awful ghost,' said Leucha. + +'Do not be silly, Leucha, my pet. Didn't I tell you he will not try +his hand again on an English girl? Now, then, I 'm going to sing +something so soothing, so soft, that you cannot, for a moment, but love +to listen.' + +The rich contralto voice rose and fell. The girl in the bed lay +motionless, absorbed, listening. This was sweet music indeed. Could +she have believed it possible that Hollyhock could put such marvellous +tenderness into her wonderful voice? + + 'Ye Hielands and ye Lowlands, + Oh! where hae ye been! + They hae slain the Earl o' Murray, + And hae laid him on the green. + + 'Now wae be to thee, Huntley, + And whairfore did ye say + I bade ye bring him wi' you, + But forbid you him to slay! + + 'He was a braw gallant, + And he rid at the ring, + And the bonnie Earl o' Murray, + Oh, he might hae been a king! + + He was a braw gallant, + And he played at the ba'; + And the bonnie Earl o' Murray + Was the flower amang them a'! + + 'He was a braw gallant, + And he played at the gluve; + And the bonnie Earl o' Murray, + Oh, he was the Queen's luve! + + 'Oh, lang will his lady + Look owre the Castle downe, + Ere she see the Earl o' Murray + Come sounding thro' the town!' + + +Leucha's eyes half closed, half opened, and she was soothed +inexpressibly by the lovely voice. Hollyhock, holding her hand, +continued: + + 'Oh, waly, waly up the bank, + And waly, waly doun the brae, + And waly, waly yon burnside, + Where I and my luve were wont to gae! + + 'Oh, waly, waly, gin luve be bonnie, + A little time while it is new! + And when 'tis auld it waxeth cauld, + And fades awa' like mornin' dew.' + + +The voice was now so soft, so altogether enticing, that it seemed to +the feverish girl as though angels were in the room. Hollyhock dropped +her notes to a yet lower key: + + 'Over the mountains + And over the waves, + Under the fountains + And under the graves; + Under floods that are deepest, + Which Neptune obey, + Over rocks that are steepest, + Love will find out the way!' + + +There was no sound at all in the room. The sick girl was sleeping +gently, peacefully--the unhappy, miserable girl--for _love had found +out the way_. + +When the doctor came in the evening, he was amazed at the change for +the better in his young patient. All the fever had left her, and she +lay very calm and quiet. Hollyhock suggested that a little camp-bed +should be put up in the room, in which she might sleep; and as her +power over Leucha was so remarkable, this suggestion was at once +acceded to both by Dr Maguire and Mrs Macintyre. They had been really +anxious about the girl in the morning; but now, owing to Hollyhock's +wonderful management, Leucha slept all night long, the beautiful sleep +of the weary and the happy. + +Once in the middle of the night Hollyhock heard her murmur to herself, +'Love will find out the way,' and she stretched out her hand +immediately, and touched that of Leucha, with a sort of divine +compassion which was part of the instinct of this extraordinary child. + +During the next few days Leucha was kept in bed and very quiet, and +Hollyhock was excused lessons, being otherwise occupied. But a girl, a +healthy girl, even though suffering from shock, quickly gets over it if +properly managed, and by the middle of the week Leucha was allowed to +go downstairs and sit in the ingle-nook, while the girls who had +hitherto detested her crowded round to congratulate their beloved +Hollyhock's friend. + +'Yes, she's all that,' said Hollyhock; 'and now those who want me to +talk with them and make myself agreeable must be friends with my dear +Leuchy, for where I go, there goes Leuchy. Eh, but she's a bonnie +lass, and she was treated cruel, first by our deserting her, and then +by what will not be named. But she 's all right now.--You belong to +me, Leuchy.' + +'That I do,' replied Leucha; and so marvellously had love found out the +way that the very expression of her unpleasant little face had +completely altered. As Hollyhock's friend, she was now admitted into +the greatest secrets of the school; but the real secret of the ghost +was still kept back. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +MEG'S CONSCIENCE. + +All went well for a time in the school, and all would have gone well +for a much longer period had it not been for Meg Drummond. Meg did not +mean to make mischief; but, alas! she was troubled by a conscience. +This she considered very virtuous and noble on her part; but she was +also troubled by something else, which was neither virtuous nor noble. +She seemed jealous--frantically jealous--of Leucha Villiers. + +Lady Crossways had spoken of her young daughter as 'my cold, +distinguished child, who never wears her heart on her sleeve.' Lady +Crossways was very proud of this trait in Leucha, and Leucha herself +was proud of it, and treasured and fostered it until she came across +Hollyhock. From the first she was attracted by Hollyhock--a queer sort +of attraction, a mingling of love and jealous hate; but now it was all +love, all devotion. As a matter of fact, she tried Hollyhock very +much, following her about like the kitchen cat when she smelt cream, +fawning upon her in a way which soon became repulsive to Hollyhock, +refusing to have any other friend, and over and over again in the day +kissing Hollyhock's hands, her brow, her cheeks, her lips. All this +sort of thing was pure torture to Hollyhock. But although she was +terribly tried, she determined to go through with her mission, and +hoped ere long to train Leucha into finer and grander ways. By their +father's permission, Leucha was invited to accompany the Flower Girls +to The Garden on a certain Saturday. The boys looked at her with +undisguised disdain, and expressed openly their astonishment at +Hollyhock's taste; but when she begged of them to be good to the poor +girlie, the Precious Stones succumbed, as they ever did, to bonnie +Hollyhock. + +The school had been open now for some time, and the full number of +seventy was made up. Leucha was now so infatuated with Hollyhock that +she no longer regretted her being the queen of the school. Hollyhock, +for her part, held serious conversations with her sisters about the +girl whom she had so strangely conquered. + +'We must make a woman of her,' said Hollyhock. 'She is naught in life +but a cringing kitchen cat at present, but it is our bounden duty to +turn her into something better. How shall we set to work, lassies?' + +The Flower Girls considered. Jasmine inquired anxiously if Leucha was +clever in any particular branch. + +'No,' said Hollyhock; 'she could not even make a ghostie.' + +'Well, can we not pretend that she is clever?' said Gentian. + +'That's a good notion,' exclaimed Hollyhock. 'I have heard whispers +that there are big prizes to be given in the school by the Duke to the +girls that are best in different subjects. _We_ don't want prizes, not +we; but that little Leuchy, she 'd be up to her eyes with joy if we +were to set her trying for a prize. I 'm thinking that Mrs Macintyre +will declare the nature of the prizes very soon. After prayers +to-morrow I 'll set Leuchy on to try for one. I 'll help her, if I +can, privately. She has got what I have not, and that's ambition. I +can work on that; and, lassies, it will be a great relief to me, for I +hate--I _hate_ being purred on and kissed all day long. I must put up +with it; but it's trying, seeing my own nature is contrariwise to that.' + +The five girls talked a while of the coming prizes. + +Leucha was now under the charge of Jasper, and they got on tolerably +well, for Jasper would do anything in the world for Hollyhock, and as +Hollyhock was the only love of Leucha's life, she talked on no other +subject whatsoever to the lad. + +'Well,' he exclaimed, 'you surely don't tell me that you kiss +her--_kiss_ Holly!--and she so prickly with thorns?' + +'Indeed, I do, Jasper. She loves my kisses; she would not take them +from any one else.' + +'Wonders will never cease,' said Jasper. 'I would not disgrace the +bonnie dear by stupid old kisses.' + +'But you are a boy, Jasper. You 're quite different,' said Leucha. + +'Well, I'm thinking not so very. I'm first cousin to her, remember, +which happens to be next door to brother. But there, let's talk of +something else. What mischief is the dear up to now?' + +Leucha related a few harmless little pranks, for Hollyhock did not dare +to give vent to her real spirit of mischief while Leucha clung round +her like the kitchen cat. + +The next day Leucha and the Flower Girls returned to the school, and, +as Hollyhock had predicted, Mrs Macintyre called her flock around her +and said that she had an announcement to make regarding an arrangement +winch would be a yearly feature in the school. Six prizes of great +magnificence were to be awarded at the Christmas 'break-up.' These +were as follows: + +(1) For efficiency in learning. + +(2) For those games now so well known in schools. + +(3) For the best essay of about one thousand words, the subject to be +selected by each girl herself. The only proviso was that she must not +tell the other girls who were competing what subject she had chosen; +otherwise an absolutely free choice was given, and even Mrs Macintyre +was not to know the subjects selected before the momentous day when the +papers were given in. + +(4) A prize for good conduct generally. + +(5) A prize for progress made in French, German, and Italian history +and conversation, the girls choosing, however, only one of these three +great languages. + +(6) And, greatest of all, a prize was to be given--and here the +head-mistress could not help glancing for a brief moment at her dearly +loved Hollyhock--to one of the girls who was so brave that she feared +nothing, and so kind-hearted that she won the deep affection of the +entire school. + +The prizes were the gift of the great Duke of Ardshiel, and were to +take the form of lockets with the Duke's own crest set on them in +sparkling diamonds. The girls were to choose their own subjects, and +in especial were to choose their own ordeal for the final test of +valour, no one interfering with them or influencing their choice. + +These prizes the Duke promised to present year after year. One +condition he made--that a girl who won a gold and diamond locket might +try again, but could not win a second locket; if successful, she would +receive in its place what was called 'A Scroll of Honour,' which was to +be signed by the great Ardshiel himself. + +Mrs Macintyre after this announcement requested her pupils to go at +once to their several tasks, only adding that she hoped to receive the +names of the girls who meant to try for the six lockets by the +following evening at latest. + +The great and thrilling subject of the prizes was on every one's lips, +and each and all declared that Hollyhock was certain to get the prize +for valour and good-fellowship. What the test would be nobody knew, +and Hollyhock kept her own thoughts to herself. She was deeply +concerned, however, to set Leucha to work, and had a long talk with her +friend on the evening of that day. + +'You can try for the essay, Leuchy dear,' she said. + +'No, I can't; I haven't got the gift. I have got _no_ gift except my +love for you. Oh, kiss me, Hollyhock; kiss me!' + +Hollyhock endured a moat fervent embrace. A voice in the distance was +heard saying, 'Little fool. _I_ cannot stand that nonsense!' + +'Who is talking?' said Leucha, standing back, her face assuming its old +unpleasant expression. + +'Oh, nobody worth thinking of, dear,' said Hollyhock, who knew quite +well, however, that Margaret Drummond was the speaker. Margaret had +not been friendly to her--not in the old passionate, worshipful +way--since the night of the ghostie. Hollyhock's present object, +however, was to get Leucha to put down her name for the essay, +explaining to her how great would be the glory of the happy winner of +the diamond locket. + +'You may be sure it is worth trying for,' said Hollyhock, 'for the +brave old Duke never does anything by halves.' + +'Ah, kiss me, kiss me,' said Leucha. 'I'd do anything for you; you +know that.' + +'I do; but we won't have much time for kissing when we are busy over +our different tasks. I 'll help you a good bit with your essay, +Leuchy. There's no name given to the subject, so what do you say to +calling it "The Kitchen Cat"?' + +'Oh, my word! I was angry with you then,' said Leucha. + +'So you were, my bonnie dearie, and I only did it out of the spirit of +mischief; but I can instruct you _right_ well in the ways of the +kitchen cat.' + +'I 've always hated cats,' said Leucha. + +'You cannot hate wee Jean, and I'll tell you all her bonnie ways.' + +'What subject are you going to take yourself, Holly?' + +'Oh, I--I 'm in the _danger zone_,' said Hollyhock, with a light laugh. + +'It terrifies me even now to think of that ghost!' + +'Don't be frightened, Leuchy. He means no harm, and he will not +trouble you again. So don't you trouble your bonnie head, but win the +glorious prize by an essay on the kitchen cat. I can assure you no one +else will choose _that_ subject, so you have the field to yourself, and +well you'll do the work. Don't I _know_ that you 'll get the beauteous +prize with the Duke's crest on it, in the stones that sparkle and +shine?' + +'Mother would like that well,' said Leucha. 'She would be just +delighted.' + +'Then try for your mother's sake, as well as your own.' + +'And you _will_ help me, Holly?' + +'To be sure I will. There 's no rule against one girl helping another. +I 'll show you the way it 's to be done, and with your brains, Leuchy, +you'll easily win the prize. Listen now; I 'll put my name down this +very night for the _danger zone_, and you put your name down for the +essay. Then we 'll both be all right.' + +The six subjects for competition were taken up by quite half the +school, the girls sending in their names under _noms de plume_ to Mrs +Macintyre, and in sealed envelopes. Never, surely, was there such an +exciting competition before, and never was there such eagerness shown +as by the various pupils who had resolved to try for the locket and +diamond crest of Ardshiel. + +All was indeed going smoothly, and all would have gone smoothly to the +end but for the jealous temperament of Margaret Drummond. For a time +she had remained faithful to Hollyhock, but, as she said to Jasmine, +the immortal soul in her breast troubled her, and as the days went by +and jealousy grew apace that immortal soul troubled her more and more. +The final straw came in an unlooked-for and unfortunate way. Leucha +had been asked to spend from Saturday to Monday at The Garden, and on +the following Saturday Margaret Drummond was to accompany the Flower +Girls to their home. The thought of going there and arguing about her +precious soul occupied her much during the week. She was also a fairly +clever girl, and was absorbed in the contest she had entered +for--'General Attainment of Knowledge.' But on Saturday morning there +came a disappointment to her, which roused her ire extremely. It was +news to the effect that Aunt Agnes Delacour was coming to The Garden, +and that she had written a peremptory letter asking that on the +occasion of this rare visit she herself should be the only guest. + +It was impossible not to accede to this request. Holly felt both angry +and alarmed, for she was not at all sure of Margaret Drummond; but +there was no help for it. On receiving her father's letter she went at +once to Margaret, who was packing her clothes for the great event, and +begged of her most earnestly to take the matter like a good lass, and +postpone her visit to The Garden until the following Saturday, giving +the true and only reason for this delay. + +'Oh!' said Margaret, 'I don't believe you, not for a minute. No woman +would wish to keep a poor girl from her promised enjoyment.' + +'You don't know Aunt Agnes, and at least it is not my fault, Margaret,' +said Hollyhock. + +'For that matter, I know a lot more than you think,' retorted Meg. +'But times have changed--ay, and much changed, too. I try to keep my +soul calm, but I am not a fool. You don't care for me as you did, +Hollyhock, and I imperilling my immortal soul all for you. You _are_ a +queer girl, Hollyhock Lennox, to forsake one like me, and to take up +with another, and she the shabbiest-natured pupil in the school.' + +'Indeed, indeed you mistake, Margaret,' said Hollyhock. 'I did +wrong--we both did wrong that night.' + +'Oh, _you_ did wrong, did you? You are prepared to confess, I take it?' + +'Oh Meg, to confess would be to ruin all. Have I not won her round? +Is she not better than she was?' + +'For my part,' said Meg, 'I see no change, except that she sits at your +feet and smothers you with kisses; but I have my own soul to think of, +and if you don't confess, Hollyhock Lennox, I have at least my duty to +perform.' + +'Please, please be careful, Meg. You don't know what awful mischief +you 'll do.' + +'I have to think of my soul,' replied Meg; 'but go your ways and enjoy +yourself. No, thank you, I don't want to go to your house this day +week. Perhaps I also can come round wee Leuchy. There's no saying +what you 'll see and what you 'll hear on Monday morning!' + +'Meg, you make me so wretched. Are you really going to tell her our +silly little trick?' + +'I make no promises; only I may as well say to you, Hollyhock, that my +mind is made up.' + +Hollyhock felt almost sick with terror. She flew to Jasmine and got +her to talk to Margaret Drummond, but Margaret had the obstinacy of a +very jealous nature. She was obstinate now to the last degree, and the +departure of the Flower Girls gave her a clear field. + +Leucha was extremely lonely without Hollyhock. In her presence she was +cheerful and bright, but without her she was lonely. Tears stood in +her eyes as she bade Hollyhock good-bye, and Hollyhock clasped her to +her heart, feeling as she did so that all was lost, that all efforts +were in vain, that she herself would be publicly disgraced, and that +Leucha would naturally never speak to her again. These things might +come to pass at once. As it was, they did come to pass a little later +on, but on this special Saturday there was a slight reprieve both for +Leucha and for Hollyhock. + +Mrs Drummond drove over from Edinburgh in a luxurious motor-car and +took her daughter away, promising to send her back to the school on the +following Monday morning. + +Margaret devotedly loved her mother, and was not long in her presence +before the entire story of the ghost and her part therein was revealed. +Mrs Drummond was a most severe Calvinist, a puritan of the narrowest +type. She was shocked beyond measure with her daughter's narrative. +She sat down at once and read her a long chapter out of the Holy Book +on all liars and their awful fate. + +Margaret shivered as she listened to her mother's words. + +'My dear,' said Mrs Drummond, 'if you do not confess and get that +wicked Hollyhock--what a name!--into the trouble she deserves, you have +your share with those of whom I'm reading. I'll come with you on +Monday morning, and you 'll stand up in front of the entire school and +tell what you and Hollyhock did. Mrs Macintyre will lose her school if +such a thing is allowed.' + +'But, oh, mother, I do love Hollyhock. Is there no other way out?' + +'Having sinned,' said Mrs Drummond, 'you must repent. Having done the +wicked thing, you must tell of it. Mrs Macintyre will be very shocked, +but I think nothing of that. It is my lassie I have to think of. It +was Providence sent me to fetch you home to-day! There's no other way +out. Confession--full confession--is the only course. You must stand +up and do your part, and that wicked girl will as likely as not be +expelled.' + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +THERE IS NO WAY OUT. + +Hollyhock did not exactly know how she felt during that visit to the +dearly beloved old Garden. Besides the unwelcome presence of Aunt +Agnes, there was a fear over her which was wholly and completely moral, +for Hollyhock had, as may well be remarked, no physical fear +whatsoever. She was the sort of girl, however, to keep even moral +fears to herself, and she returned to the Palace of the Kings on Monday +morning, hoping for the best. So far everything seemed to be all right. + +Leucha rushed to her friend, clasped her and kissed her, said how +deeply she had missed her, and how she had longed beyond words during +the latter half of Saturday and on Sunday for Hollyhock's return. + +Meg, then, had been better than Hollyhock expected. When all was said +and done, Meg was good and true. Hollyhock made up her mind to be +specially good to Meg in future, to compensate her for her late +neglect--in short, to soothe her ruffled feelings and to feel for her +that love and admiration which the Scots girl had given to her in the +past. But where was Meg? + +Hollyhock's quick eyes looked round the room, looked round the spacious +hall, looked round the vast breakfast parlour. There was no sign of +Meg anywhere. This puzzled her a little, but did not render her +uneasy; and as no other girl in the school said a word about Meg +Drummond--she was not a favourite by any means, and never would +be--Hollyhock came to the conclusion that the poor thing must be ill, +and must have taken to her bed, in which case she would inquire for her +tenderly when the right time came, and thank her affectionately for her +loving forbearance. + +But, alack and alas! just as breakfast was coming to an end, there was +a whir and a hoot, and a motor-car was heard rushing up the spacious +avenue and stopping before the great front-door. + +A girl who was seated next to Hollyhock said, 'That must be Meg +Drummond coming back. About an hour after you left us, Hollyhock, her +mother came and fetched her. Why, there she is, to be sure, and her +mother along with her. Whatever can be wrong?' + +Hollyhock felt a fearful sinking at her heart. She longed to rush +Leucha, poor little Leucha, out of the school, to hide her, to screen +her from what was certain to follow. But she was too stunned by these +unexpected events to say a word or take any action. + +'You are a little white, Hollyhock,' said Leucha, who was seated at her +side. 'Don't you feel well?' + +'Oh, Leucha darling, don't ask me. It's all up with me,' groaned +Hollyhock. 'Oh Leucha, say once again that you love me!' + +'Love you, Holly? I love no one in the world as I love you!' + +'Well, you have said it for the last time,' thought poor Hollyhock to +herself. Her little victory, her little triumph, was at an end, for +Hollyhock knew Leucha far too well to believe for an instant that she +would forgive a horrible hoax played upon her. + +If Meg Drummond was a cold, severe-looking girl, she was not nearly so +severe or so cold as her mother. Mrs Drummond, accompanied by her +daughter, entered the great hall, where prayers were to be said, with a +face of icy marble. Proud indeed was she in spirit; determined was she +in action. She would save her precious daughter's soul alive, come +what might. No other girl was of any importance to Mrs Drummond. Meg +was her all, and she was wrecked--yes, wrecked--on the ghastly rock of +sin. The Devil would claim Meg, unless she, her mother, came to the +rescue. + +Mrs Macintyre was somewhat surprised at the arrival of Mrs Drummond, a +woman to whom she did not at all take. For that matter, she had never +been enamoured of Meg herself, considering her beneath the other girls +in the school; but when Mrs Drummond whispered to her, 'I have come on +a matter of awful importance, and I'll thank you to conduct the Lord's +Prayer and the hymns and the other religious exercises, and _then_ you +'ll know why I have come.' + +This was such a very remarkable speech that Mrs Macintyre bowed stiffly +and offered the good lady a chair. + +Prayers were conducted as usual, the girls singing and joining in the +Lord's Prayer. Then Mrs Macintyre made a brief petition that God +Almighty might help her and her teachers and her beloved pupils to work +harmoniously through the hours of the week just beginning. + +The moment she rose from her knees, she was about to dismiss the pupils +to their different tasks, when Mrs Drummond, tall and gaunt, stood up +and waved a menacing hand. + +'One moment, girls; I have something to say to you, or, rather, my +young daughter has something to say, which is in the nature of a black +confession. It relates principally to herself and a girl in this +school called Hollyhock. She has now to go through an awful +confession, which will hurt her more than a little; but if she holds +nothing back, her immortal soul may be saved in the Great Day. But +there is _another_ who has sinned far deeper than my Meg, and I leave +it to Mrs Macintyre to settle with her by expelling her from this +school. Now then, Meg, think of the Judgment Seat and tell your tale.' + +Meg, who would be precisely like her mother at her mother's age, now +stood up, flung a vindictive glance at Hollyhock, and began her story. + +'I was drawn into it. That Hollyhock had a way with her, and I was +drawn in. I consented to an awful sin. It has lain on my conscience +until I felt nearly mad. Well, Mrs Macintyre and my dear teachers and +you girls, listen and beware. You may recall a certain night when +there was great agitation in this school, because it was said that the +poor ghostie had walked. The thought of that ghostie nearly drove an +English girl out of her mind; but I am prepared to clear up the matter. + +'Now for the true story. The ghost was no ghost. It was me, my own +self, who, ruled by Hollyhock there, went into what we call the ghost's +hut, and allowed myself to be chalked and then blackened with charcoal +on the hands and face so as to look like a skeleton, and then wrapped +in a cloak of the Camerons, and my hair tied up tight, and a peaked hat +put on me over a wig which had been flung into water. I 'm told that I +looked something _fearful_; and the one who did the deed, and drew me, +an innocent girl, into this mess, was Hollyhock Lennox. A poor English +girl went almost raving mad, and no one could tell but that a real +ghost had been about. Well, _I'm_ the ghost, and the wicked one who +led me astray was Hollyhock Lennox. After that she was frightened, +seeing the effect of the ghost on poor Leucha, and she got me for a +long time not to tell, and she won the heart of Leucha, coming round +her as only she knows how. But if _I_ know Leucha, she won't put up +any more with what was nothing but a hoax.-- Will you, Leucha; will +you?' + +'Is it true?' said Leucha, turning a ghastly-white face and looking at +Hollyhock. + +'Oh Leuchy,' half-sobbed Hollyhock, 'it is true, every word of it. It +was the spirit of mischief that entered into me. But, oh, Leuchy, +Leuchy, when you were so bad my whole heart went out to you, and you +'ll forgive your own Holly? For, see for yourself, I love you, +Leuchy--see it for yourself.' + +'And I _don't_ love you,' said Leucha. 'You have played on me the +vilest trick I ever heard of, and I'll never believe in you again, or +speak to you again!--Please, Mrs Macintyre, this is too much; my head +reels badly, so may I go out of the room for a few minutes?' + +'I had to save my immortal soul,' said Meg, casting down her pious +eyes, and rejoicing in the mischief which she had effectually achieved. + +'My precious one, you are safe now,' said Mrs Drummond. 'I have stood +by and listened to a full confession. But what'll you do to that bad, +black-haired girl, Mrs Macintyre? To have her publicly expelled is +what _I 'd_ recommend.' + +'Yes, my dear lady,' replied Mrs Macintyre; 'but you do not happen to +be the mistress of the school. I shall take my own course. You can +remove your own daughter if you wish, Mrs Drummond, whose behaviour, in +my opinion, was many degrees worse than Hollyhock's.' + +'What do you mean by that?' + +'Hollyhock certainly did wrong to allow your girl to impersonate the +ghost; but afterwards, in the most noble way, she won the affections of +the must difficult girl in the school. Now I fear, I greatly tear, we +shall have much trouble with Leucha Villiers; but nothing will induce +me to expel Hollyhock.-- No, my dear little girl; you did wrong, of a +certainty, but you are too much loved in this school for us to do +without you.-- Now, Mrs Drummond, do you wish to remove Margaret from +the school? Because, if so, it can easily be done, and I shall send up +my maid, Magsie, to pack her clothes.' + +'It _might_ be right,' said Mrs Drummond, who was considerably amazed +at Mrs Macintyre's manner of taking the whole occurrence, 'but at the +same time I have no wish to deprive my daughter of the chance of +getting the Ardshiel diamond crest locket. It would be the kind of +thing that her father would have taken pride in. I myself have no wish +for worldly pride and precious stones and such like. Nevertheless, it +would be hard to rob my child of the chance of getting the locket.' + +'As you please,' said Mrs Macintyre with great coldness. 'Only I have +one thing to insist upon.' + +'Indeed, madam! And what may that be?' + +'It is that Margaret Drummond shall have no dealings whatsoever with +Leucha Villiers. As to Hollyhock, I can manage her myself. Now +perhaps, madam, you will return to Edinburgh and allow the routine of +the school to go on under _my_ guidance, I being the head-mistress, +_not_ you!' + +Mrs Drummond went away in a wild fury. She certainly would have taken +Meg with her, but the pride of having her commonplace daughter educated +in the Palace of the Kings, joined to her pride in the very great +possibility--in fact, the certainty in her imagination--of Meg's +winning one of the gold and diamond lockets, made her swallow her +indignation as best she could. She kissed Meg after her icy fashion, +and said some furious words in a low tone to the young girl. + +'You managed things badly, Meg. That dark girl ought to have been +expelled.' + +'But, mother, I should have loved to see the day,' said Meg. 'I don't +seem to have got much good out of my confession after all.' + +'Your soul, child, the salvation of your soul, is gained;' and with +these last words the self-righteous woman went away. + +Certainly that was a most confusing morning at the school. Poor Mrs +Macintyre had never felt nearer despair. The trick which had been +played she regarded with due and proper abhorrence, but the way in +which it had been declared by Meg made her feel sick, and worse than +sick, at heart. She sent for Hollyhock first, and had a long talk with +her. + +'Ah, my child, my child,' she said, 'why will you let your naughty and +mischievous spirit get the better of you?' + +'I couldn't help it,' replied Hollyhock, who felt as near to tears as a +daughter of the Camerons could be; 'but you see for your own self what +Leuchy was before I played my prank, and what she has been since. Now +I'm much afraid that all is up, and she 'll never love me any +more--poor Leuchy!' + +'Hollyhock, you really have been exceedingly naughty, but your conduct +to Leucha _after_ her terrible fright has been _splendid_; and although +I greatly fear, knowing Leucha's character, that you will find it +difficult to get back her love, yet there are many others in the +school, my child, who love you, and who will love you for ever.' + +'Yes; but it was Leuchy I wanted,' said Hollyhock. 'The others were so +easy to win. I could always win love; but Leuchy, she's so cold, and +now she's frozen up, like marble, she is.' + +'You must take that as your punishment, for no other punishment will I +give you, except to ask you not to play that kind of practical joke +again.' + +'Oh my!' exclaimed Hollyhock, 'but the mischief is in me. I dare not +make a promise. You would not, if you had a wild heart like mine.' + +'Well, Hollyhock, I shall expect, for the honour of the school, that +you will do your _best_. And one thing I must ask of you--it is this. +Meg feels herself very superior, with the superiority of the Pharisee. +Most of the girls in the school will hate her for what she said to-day; +but I want you, as a dear friend, to take her part.' + +'Oh, but that 'll be hard,' said Hollyhock. + +'The divine grace can help you, my child. I 'm not one of the "unco +guid," but I believe most fully in the all-prevailing love of the great +God and His Son, our blessed Saviour. Now kiss me, and go to your +lessons as though nothing had happened.' + +'But Leuchy!' exclaimed Hollyhock. + +'I'll manage Leucha. I greatly fear that I shall have a difficult +task, but I shall let you know to-morrow at latest what attitude she +intends to take up. A girl of broader, nobler views would, of course, +see the joke and make fun of it; but Leucha, in her way, is as narrow +as Meg is in hers.' + +'Oh dear, oh dear!' sighed Hollyhock. 'Well, at all events, I 'll get +rid of her kisses. Oh, they were _so_ trying!' + +'I saw that you hated them, my child.' + +'Did you notice that, Mrs Macintyre? How wonderful you are!' + +'No, my dear baby. But I, who equally hate being kissed, saw what you +were enduring in a noble cause. It _may_ come right in the end, +Hollyhock. We must hope for the best.' + +'Oh, but you are a darling!' said Hollyhock, flinging her arms round +the head-mistress's neck. 'Oh, but I love you!' + +'And for my sake you 'll abstain from tricks in the school?' + +'I 'll not promise; but, at the same time, I 'll do my level best.' + +Hollyhock, notwithstanding Mrs Macintyre's great kindness, spent a +really wretched day. She kept her word, however, as she had promised, +with regard to Meg, and during morning recess went to her side, and +tried with all that wonderful charm she possessed to be kind to her. +She did not allude to Meg's confession, but spoke to her with all her +old affection. Meg stared at the girl whom she now considered her +enemy in haughty surprise, refused to reply to any of Hollyhock's +endearments, and walked away with her head in the air. + +'You dare,' she exclaimed at last, 'when you know too well that you +ought to be expelled!' + +Meg then turned her back on Hollyhock, but was followed in her +self-imposed exile by the laughter and jeers of most of the girls in +the school, who flocked eagerly round their favourite, telling her that +they at least would ever and always be her dearest friends. Many of +the said girls assured poor Hollyhock that they were glad that the +nasty _kissing_ English girl was no longer to divide them from their +lively favourite. But Hollyhock's most loving heart was really full of +Leucha. Her nature could not by any possibility really suit Leucha's, +but Holly had taken her up, and it would be very hard now for her to +withdraw her love. Besides, she had done wrong--very wrong--and Leuchy +had a right to be angry. + +During the whole of that miserable day Leucha absented herself from the +school, and all Mrs Macintyre's words proved so far in vain. She had +no good news to give Hollyhock; therefore she told her nothing. But +toward evening she had a very grave conversation with Jasmine, who made +a proposal of her own. If this idea fell through, Mrs Macintyre felt +that the mean nature of Meg, joined to the yet meaner nature of Leucha +herself, must for the present at least win the day. She had some hope +in this plan, but meanwhile her warm heart was full of sorrow for her +bonnie Hollyhock. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +THE END OF LOVE. + +The plan was carried into effect. Mr Lennox was consulted, and being +the best and most amiable of men, after talking for a short time to his +young daughter Jasmine, he went over and had a consultation with Mrs +Macintyre. Mrs Macintyre agreed most eagerly to Jasmine's suggestion, +and accordingly, two days after Meg had 'saved her immortal soul,' +Leucha and Jasmine were excused lessons--Leucha on the plea of +ill-health, Jasmine because she wished to help her darling Hollyhock's +friend. + +The two girls were excused lessons; as for preparation for the prize +competition, that they might go on with or not, as they wished. +Jasmine had no love for gems, but she would like to gain one of the +lockets containing the great crest of her mother's people, her own +ancestors. But if she lost it, she would be the last girl to fret. +She had as little ambition in her as had Hollyhock herself. Leucha, on +the other hand, was keenly anxious to get the famous crest locket, and +when Jasmine assured her that she would have ample opportunities of +studying the ways of wee Jean, she condescended to accompany Jasmine to +The Garden. + +She found The Garden, however, very dull. She found the kitchen cat, +whenever she came across her, intolerable; she scared wee Jean away +from her, saying, 'Get away, you ugly beast!' and took not the +slightest pains to make herself agreeable. + +Hollyhock, with tears very, very near her black eyes, had implored of +Jasper to come to her assistance and tell home truths in his plain +Scots way to the English girl. This Jasper promptly promised to do, +and his mother gave him leave to go over from the Annex to The Garden, +in order to help Leucha. + +Jasmine, with all her strength of character, was too gentle for the +task she had undertaken; but there was no gentleness about fierce young +Jasper. He naturally thought that Holly, the dear that she was, had +gone too far; but he could not stand a common-place girl like Leuchy +making such a row. + +Now the facts were simply these. Leucha hated, with a violent, +passionate, wicked hate, all the terrible past; but she still +loved--loved as she could not believe possible--that black-eyed lass +Hollyhock. Hollyhock had played a horrid trick on her; nevertheless +Leucha loved her, and mourned for her, and was perfectly wretched at +The Garden without her. + +Oh no, she would never be _friends_ with her again--_never_! Such a +thing was impossible; but nevertheless she loved--she loved Hollyhock, +with a sort of craving which caused her to long to see the bright glint +in her eyes and the bonnie smile round her lips. As for Jasmine, she +was less than nothing in Leucha's eyes. Hollyhock, although she would +not say it for the world, was all in all to the miserable, proud, silly +girl. + +Hollyhock's heart was also aching for Leucha, and her anxiety was great +with regard to what was taking place at The Garden. Would Jasmine and +Jasper between them have any effect on Leuchy? Hollyhock felt for the +first time in her life feverish, miserable, and anxious. She could not +sleep well at nights; her nights were haunted by dreams of Leucha and +the wicked things she herself had done as a mere frolic. But there was +no news from The Garden, and she had to bear her restless suffering as +best she could. Gladly now would she have submitted to Leuchy's +kisses, if Leuchy would come back to her friend. + +Meg walked with pious mien about the grounds of Ardshiel; her +conscience was at rest. She won the affections of a certain number of +the new Scots girls, and tried her best to set them against Hollyhock; +but there was a magical influence about Hollyhock which prevented any +girl being set against her; and although the girls _did_ say that Meg +had a sturdy conscience, and that she must be very happy to have made +her confession, yet as the evening hour drew on they returned, as +though spell-bound, to Hollyhock's side to listen with fascinated eyes +and half-open mouths to her tales of bogies and ghosties. + +Poor Hollyhock was feeling so restless and despairing that she threw +extra venom into her narratives, making the ghosts worse than any +ghosts that were ever heard of before, and the bogies and witches more +subtle and more vicious. Meg did not dare to come near, but she looked +with contempt at her friends who were so easily drawn to Hollyhock's +side. + +Meanwhile, at The Garden the days and hours were passing. Mr Lennox +was entirely absorbed with his work, and saw little or nothing of his +children. What little he did see of Leucha he disliked, and he thought +his dear Hollyhock far too kind to her. On the following Sunday he +would speak to Hollyhock, and tell her not to play those silly tricks +again. Otherwise he had no time to consider the matter. + +But, on a certain day--Thursday, to be accurate--Jasper, having been +prepared beforehand by Jasmine, had a talk alone with Leucha. He was +really sick of Leucha by this time, and meant to use plain words. + +'Well, you are a poor thing,' he began. + +'What do you mean?' said Leucha, turning white in her anger. + +'Why, here you are in one of the grandest and best houses in the +country, petted and fussed over, and just because my cousin Hollyhock +chose to play a prank on you. My word! she might play twenty pranks on +me and I 'd love her all the more.' + +'You're a boy; you are different! She nearly killed me, if that's what +you call love!' + +'Nearly killed you, indeed! Not a bit of it! I 'm thinking it would +take a lot to finish you off. Many and many a trick would have to be +played before you 'd expire.' + +'You are talking in a very rude way,' said Leucha. + +'I 'm not. I know what I 'm about!' + +'Then you surely do not dare to tell me to my face that your cousin did +right in frightening me so terribly?' + +'I 'm not saying anything so silly. I know too well the kind you are +made of, Leuchy Villiers. Hollyhock did wrong, and Meg did, to my +thinking, a sight worse.' + +'Meg was really noble,' said Leucha. + +'If _that's_ your idea of nobleness, keep it and treasure it all your +life.' + +'Meg had to save her soul,' said Leucha. + +'Oh, my word!' cried Jasper; 'and is our darling Hollyhock's soul of no +account?' + +'Well, she thinks nothing of the freak which nearly killed me.' + +'Nothing of it? Little you know! Do you forget she sat up with you +resting against her breast the whole of the first night, and had a +camp-bed put into your room by doctor's orders and your own wish, and +sang you to sleep with that voice of hers that would melt the heart of +a stone, no less? If she loved you? But it has not melted your heart. +If she was what you think her to be, would she have troubled herself as +she did about you? Would she give up her sport and her fun and her +joy, her pleasures, for one like you?' + +'I 'm the daughter of the Earl of Crossways,' said Leucha. + +'Well,' answered Jasper, 'I can't say much for his daughter. I tell +you frankly and truly, Leucha, that if you were a brave lass and +well-bred, you 'd take a joke as a joke, and think no more about it; +but, being what you are, I have little hope of you. It's the best +thing that could have happened to Hollyhock to have got rid of one like +you. You are not fit to hold a candle to her. I have no liking for +you, and now I'm going back to the Annex. I cannot stand the sight of +you, with your sulks and your obstinacy. Oh! the bonnie lass, that you +think so cruel. I can only say that I hope she will get a better +friend than _you_, Leucha Villiers.' + +After this speech, Leucha was found by Jasmine in a flood of tears. +Jasper had returned to the Annex, his sole remark to his mother being +that he was wasting his precious time at The Garden over the conversion +of a hopeless girl. + +Late that evening Leucha went into Jasmine's bedroom. 'I 'm very +unhappy here and everywhere,' she said; 'but this place is worse even +than the school. At school I shall doubtless find many friends to +welcome me, so I 'm returning to the Palace of the Kings to-morrow.' + +'Well, I 'm glad, for my part,' said Jasmine; 'and I hope you have made +up your mind to be nice to my sister.' + +'If that is your hope, you 're mistaken,' said Leucha. 'I wouldn't +touch her with a pair of tongs. Nasty, sinful girl, to play such a +trick on an innocent maid!' + +'Well,' said Jasmine, 'I shall be very glad to get back to school early +to-morrow.' + +'And I to my friends,' said Leucha. + +'I have remarked,' said Jasmine, 'that you haven't taken much trouble +in studying the habits of the kitchen cat. I know that you have made +puss your subject for the grand essay, for Hollyhock thought it best to +tell me, in order that you might see the poor beastie. But you have +been so unkind to her, Leucha, that she'd fly now any distance at your +approach.' + +'And let her; let her,' said the angry Leucha. 'I don't want her, you +may be sure of that. And as to my essay, of course I must stick to it; +but I may as well tell you, Jasmine, that it will be from beginning to +end on the _vices_ of the kitchen cat, encouraged by her deceitful and +silly mistress, Hollyhock!' + +'Have your way,' said Jasmine; 'but I don't think you'll be getting the +Duke's locket. The Duke is our kinsman and he knows us lassies, and +Hollyhock is a _prime_ favourite with him, so speaking against one like +her will not please his Grace. But now let me go to bed; I 'm sleepy +and worn-out.' + +The next day the girls unexpectedly arrived at the school. Leucha was +certain that she would have the same warm welcome that she had received +when she came downstairs after her illness caused by Hollyhock's +mischievous prank, but she did not remember that she was now Holly's +enemy. She did not even recall the fact that Meg Drummond was +forbidden to have dealings with her. In short, the school received her +with extreme coldness. The only one whose eyes lit up for a moment +with pleasure was that beloved one called Hollyhock; but she soon +turned her attention to a group of girls surrounding her, and as Leucha +would not give her even the faintest ghost of a smile, she tossed her +proud little black head and absorbed herself with others, who were but +too eager to talk to her. + +Leucha, in fact, found herself in her old position in the school, and +the only one who timidly made advances towards her was Daisy Watson. + +'I don't want you; go away,' said the angry Leucha. + +'I 'm going,' said Daisy. 'I have plenty of friends in the school now +myself, for Hollyhock has taken me up.' + +'What!' cried Leucha. 'How dare she?' + +'Well, she chooses to. I 'm to act in a charade to-night which she has +composed, and which will be rare fun. She's so sweet and so forgiving, +Leucha, that I think she 'd love you as much as ever, if only you +weren't so desperately jealous.' + +'I'm not jealous. I'm a terribly wronged girl. There was a trick +played on me which might have cost me my life. I'll have to tell my +poor mother that this is a very wicked school.' + +'Well, please yourself,' said Daisy. 'I must be off. It's rather fun, +the part I have to play. I 'm to be called the _kitchen cat_!' + +'You--you--how dare you?' + +'We are all acting as different animals. There are twelve of us who +are taking parts in the charade, and dear Hollyhock is to be the ghost. +She 'll stalk in, in her ghostly garments, and create a great sensation +amongst the animals. We would not have done it if we had known that +you were coming back, Leuchy, being but too well aware of your terrible +nervousness about ghosts, even when the ghosts are only make-believe.' + +'Well, what next?' cried Leucha. 'I never heard of anything so wicked. +I must speak at once to Mrs Macintyre, and have the horrid thing +stopped.' + +'All right. But I do not think your words will have any effect now,' +said Daisy. 'The matter is arranged, and cannot be altered. Mrs +Macintyre thinks the whole thing the greatest fun in the world. I can +tell you that I am enjoying myself vastly, although I was so miserable +at first when you and I sat all alone; but now I am having a first-rate +time. I have told you about the charade, Leucha, because I thought it +only right to warn you. If you prefer it, you need not be a spectator.' + +'What next?' repeated Leucha. 'I am to lose the fun of seeing +Hollyhock disgrace herself. I shall certainly do nothing of the kind. +I will be present, and perhaps take her down a peg. But leave me now, +Daisy; only let me inform you that you are a nasty, mean little brat.' + +'Thanks,' said Daisy; 'but I am enjoying myself mightily all the same.' + +Daisy scampered away all too willingly; and Hollyhock, advised by her +sister, took no notice of Leucha, although her heart ached very badly +for her. But she felt that the reconciliation must, at any cost, now +come from Leucha's side; otherwise there would be no hope of peace or +rest in the school. The fact was this, that Hollyhock was feeling very +wild and restless just now. She had quite got over her fit of +repentance, and was full to the brim of fresh pranks. + +'There's no saying what sin I 'll commit,' she said to herself, 'for +the de'il 's at work in me. With my rebellious nature, I cannot help +myself. I did wrong, and I owned it. I helped her and loved her; but +I could not bear her kisses. It may be that Providence has parted us, +so that I really need not be tried too far. Oh, but she is an ugly, +uninteresting lass, poor Leuchy! And yet once I loved her; and I 'd +love her again, and make her happy, if she 'd do with only two kisses a +day--_not_ otherwise; no, not otherwise. They're altogether too +_cloying_ for my taste!' + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE GREAT CHARADE. + +Mrs Macintyre was more vexed, more hurt, more annoyed than she could +possibly express. She had been willing--indeed, under the +circumstances, only too glad--to send sulky Leucha to The Garden; but +Leucha's unexpected return on the evening when the animal charade was +to be acted put her out considerably. She saw at a glance that Leucha +was unrepentant; that whereas Hollyhock was more than ready to forgive, +Leucha belonged to the unforgiving of the earth. Being herself a fine, +brave woman, Mrs Macintyre had little or no sympathy for so small and +mean a nature. + +Of course, she regretted Hollyhock's practical joke; but then Hollyhock +had so abundantly made up for it by her subsequent conduct, and was +even now the soul of love and pity for the desolate, deserted, +obstinate girl. + +Mrs Macintyre felt that she could not altogether side with Hollyhock, +but she had no intention of interfering with the charade because +Leucha, in her weak obstinacy, chose to return to the school on that +special day. She determined, however, to speak to the girl, and to +tell her very plainly what she thought about her and her conduct. + +Leucha was in her pretty bedroom, where a bright fire was blazing, for +the weather was now intensely cold. She was alone, quite alone, all +the other girls in the school, both the actors and those who were to +look on, being far to busy to attend to her. She took up a book +languidly and pretended to read. She had already read the said book. +It was one of Sir Walter Scott's great novels. But Leucha hated Sir +Walter Scott; she hated his dialect, his long descriptions; she was not +interested even in this marvellous work of his, _Ivanhoe_, and lay back +in her easy-chair with her eyes half shut and her mind halt asleep. +There came a sharp, short knock at her door. It roused Leucha to say, +'Who's there?' + +'It's me, Magsie, please, miss,' replied a voice. + +Leucha muttered something which Magsie took for 'Come in.' She entered +the luxurious chamber. + +'You are called, Lady Leucha, to the mistress on business immediate and +most important. You are to go to her at once. My certie! but you are +comfortable here.' + +'Are you speaking of Mrs Macintyre?' inquired Leucha. + +'I am--the head-mistress of the school herself.' + +'Say I will come, and leave my room at once yourself,' said Leucha. + +'You had best no keep _her_ waitin' long, I 'm thinkin'. It's no her +fashion to be kept waitin' when she gives forth her royal commands. In +the Palace of the Kings she 's like a royal lady, and you dare not keep +her waitin'.' + +Magsie had now a most violent hatred for Leucha, having helped +Hollyhock to nurse her through her illness, and being far more +concerned for her own young lady than for that miserable thing, who had +not the courage of a mouse. + +'You had best be quick,' said Magsie now; and she went out of the room +noisily, slamming the door with some violence after her. 'I don't +think I ever saw so wicked a girl,' thought Magsie to herself. + +The wicked girl in question thought, however, that prudence was the +better part of valour, and went downstairs without delay to Mrs +Macintyre's beautiful private sitting-room. She looked cross; she +looked sulky; she looked, in short, all that a poor jealous nature +could look, and there was not a trace of repentance about her. + +Mrs Macintyre heaved an inward sigh. Outwardly her manner was +exceedingly cold and at the same time determined. + +'I have sent for you, Leucha Villiers,' she said, 'to ask you if you +now intend to restore peace and harmony to the school.' + +'What do you mean, Mrs Macintyre?' said Leucha. + +'My child, you know quite well what I mean. Your dear and noble young +friend'---- + +'I don't know of any such,' interrupted Leucha. + +'Then you have a lamentably short memory, Leucha,' said Mrs Macintyre, +'or it could not have passed from your mind--the weary nights and long +days when that brave young girl devoted herself to you.' + +'You mean that naughty Hollyhock, of course--the one who played on me +that wicked, wicked joke. A nice school this is, indeed.' + +'Leucha, I forbid you to speak in that tone to your head-mistress. I +acknowledge that Hollyhock did wrong; but, oh, how humbly, how +thoroughly, she has repented! I fully admit that she had no right to +dress up Meg Drummond as a ghost and to frighten such a nervous, silly +girl as you are; but afterwards, when she saw the effect, who could +have been more noble than Hollyhock; who could have nursed you with +more splendid care, and--and _loved_ you, Leucha--you, who are _not_ +popular in the school?' + +'I don't care! I won't stay here long,' muttered Leucha. 'If you +think I am going to eat humble pie to that Hollyhock, you are mistaken, +Mrs Macintyre.' + +Mrs Macintyre was silent for a moment; then she spoke. + +'I am sorry. A nobler nature would have taken the thing as a joke; but +you, alas! are the reverse of noble. You have a small nature, Leucha, +and you must struggle against it with all your might if you are to do +any good in life.' + +'I am not accustomed to being spoken to in that strain,' said Leucha. + +'Perhaps not; it would have been good for you if you had been. Oh, my +child, if I could but move your hard heart and show you the blessed +spirit of Love pleading for you, and the Holy Spirit full to the brim +with perfect forgiveness, stretched out even to _you_.' + +'You talk to me,' said Leucha, 'exactly as if _I_ were the sinner. +It's Hollyhock, mean little scamp, who is the sinner, and yet you call +her brave and noble.' + +'Hollyhock has most fully repented, and therefore is noble. I intend +always to love her as she deserves to be loved.' + +'Well, I don't care,' said Leucha. 'She is nothing to me in the +future. I 'll have nothing to do with her--nothing at all.' + +Again Mrs Macintyre was silent. + +After another long pause she said, 'Then you will not forgive the sweet +girl, who nursed you back to life?' + +'Never, never,' answered Leucha. 'Why should I be tortured in this +way?' + +'My dear, I must torture you for your good. You will not grant +Hollyhock forgiveness?' + +'I said before that I would _never_ do so.' + +'Very well. Hollyhock is the last girl in the world who needs pleading +for; but suppose, Leucha--I don't say for a moment I shall succeed--but +_suppose_ I were to go to Hollyhock, who feels that she has done her +part and has shown her sorrow for her little childish freak in every +possible way, would you, my child, accept her words of contrition, and +when I brought her to meet you, receive her as one so noble ought to be +met?' + +'No; I would turn from her with scorn. I would tell the humbug what I +think of her.' + +'Then, Leucha, I have nothing further to say. I doubt if I _could_ get +Hollyhock to humble herself to this degree; but certainly, after your +last words, I shall not try. Now, you have returned to the school on +an awkward day, when a charade introducing various animals is to be +acted in the great hall. Twelve girls will play different animals, and +the crisis and crux of the whole thing will be the appearance of "poor +ghostie," which part Hollyhock will undertake herself. I warn you +beforehand that, as you are so _very_ timid in the presence of false +ghosts--for, of course, I personally do not believe in real ghosts--it +would be wise for you to remain in your bedroom, and thus keep out of +the way. I believe Hollyhock is going to do the ghost very well. I +have no desire to interfere with the games of the school. The games +teacher, Miss Kent, manages these, and your unexpected and, I must add, +_unwished-for_ return cannot stop to-night's programme. You had better +promise me, therefore, to go to your room, where one of the servants +will bring you up some supper. I really advise you for your own good, +my child, for I understand that ghost will look very awful to-night, +and you, being so terribly nervous, may not be able to bear the sight.' + +Don't fear for me, Mrs Macintyre,' said Leucha. 'I 'm not quite such a +fool as you think me, and I certainly will sit in the hall with the +other girls, and, if possible, put Holly to shame.' + +'That I strictly forbid,' said Mrs Macintyre. 'A game is a game; a +charade is a charade. While the acting proceeds no looker-on must +interfere except under my intense displeasure. In fact, my dear +Leucha, after what I have said, I shall write to your mother asking her +to remove you from the school, unless you promise not to make any fuss +or show any fear to-night. Go back to your room now.' + +'And you really tell me, Mrs Macintyre, that the Earl of Crossways' +daughter will be dismissed from the school?' + +'There will be no difficulty about that,' replied Mrs Macintyre. 'I +have six fresh girls anxious to be admitted. You are not popular; your +character does not suit us. The fact of your being Earl Crossways' +daughter has no effect in a school which is the gift of the Duke of +Ardshiel; so don't fancy it. Act sensibly, as you cannot bring +yourself to forgive, and stay in your bedroom. I am not talking +nonsense when I predict that the nerves of the strongest will be tested +to-night.' + +'I refuse. You can't turn me out,' said Leucha. + +'Very well,' said Mrs Macintyre. 'I have put the case fully before +you, and can do no more.' + +Leucha went back to her bedroom, where she really felt very troubled +and, as a matter of fact, terribly frightened. If Meg Drummond, acting +as the ghost, had nearly sent her into the other world, what effect +could not Hollyhock produce? And Hollyhock meant to produce an effect +unknown before in the great school. + +Hollyhock was roused at last. Her forgiving nature had reached its +limit. She felt naughty and wilful, and with a spice, as she expressed +it, o' the de'il stirring in her breast. She was told by one of the +girls that Mrs Macintyre's intercession with Leucha had proved all in +vain, and she determined, therefore, to make poor ghostie more terrible +in appearance than he had ever been before. She rejoiced, in fact, in +her naughty little mind at the thought of Leucha insisting on being one +of the spectators, and resolved on no account whatsoever to spare her. + +The charade was to take place immediately after light supper. The +great hall was arranged for the occasion. A stage was erected at the +farther end, in the darkest and most shadowy spot. Across the stage a +great curtain was drawn, and footlights had been secured to throw up +the antics of the different animals the twelve girls were to act. One +was the kitchen cat. Daisy was to be dressed exactly to fit the part +by Miss Kent's and Hollyhock's clever contrivance. The kitchen cat +must have a poor thin body, all dressed in shabby fur of a nondescript +sort. She was to wear over her head the mask of a real cat. A long +scraggy tail was stuck on behind, which by an ingenious device could +jerk up and down and from side to side. + +Daisy Watson rejoiced in her part, and had learned the miauw, the mew, +the hiss, the dash forward, the howl of rage, and the purr to +perfection. She had stalked across the stage again and again that day +as kitchen cat, each time evoking shrieks of laughter. By her side +walked a timorous dog, who looked at the kitchen cat with awe. The dog +was purposely made to imitate Leucha, and whenever this lean and ugly +brute appeared the kitchen cat said, 'Hiss-phitz-witz!' whereupon the +lean animal retired in mortal terror, his mongrel tail tucked under his +mongrel legs. + +The resemblance to Leucha was really so marvellous as to be laughable, +and all the girls had declared that they would not have allowed this +beastie to appear if Leucha had been expected to be in the school. But +Leucha had come back unexpectedly, and her conduct to Hollyhock had so +roused the ire of that generally good-natured girl that she made up her +mind that no change should now take place in the programme. + +Besides the ordinary cat and dog, there was one ferocious-looking beast +managed with great skill, a lion. A very tall girl in the school took +this part. The lion's mane was magnificent, his growls such as to +terrify any one. These were produced in reality by a little toy +instrument concealed in the mouth. He growled and stalked about, and +looked so like the real thing that more girls than Leucha shrank back +in alarm as he approached the frail barrier which separated the actors +from the spectators. + +Who _was_ this enormous beast? Could it possibly be a _real lion_? + +Then there were the wild panther, the fierce tiger, a pony, an ox, a +sheep, a goat, a pig, a long, wriggling thing to represent a snake, and +finally a most enormous cock-a-doodle-doo, who seemed to fear none of +the awful forest beasts and reptiles, but sang out his lusty crow right +heartily with all the goodwill in the world. + +But the three characters who excited most mirth or fear amongst the +spell-bound spectators were, first and foremost, the kitchen cat; +second, the timorous mongrel dog; and third, the lion with his mighty +mane and terrible roar. The mongrel dog gave faint yelps and howls of +anguish whenever he was approached by the lion or the kitchen cat. The +lion made a valiant attempt, growling savagely as he did so, to +demolish the cat; but the agile cat leaped on his back, stuck her +claws, which were really crooked pins, into his hide, and sent the king +of beasts howling to a distant part of the stage. She then proceeded +to torment the mongrel dog, and to draw out, as she well knew how, +Leucha's peculiarities in the dog. + +Leucha sat in the audience, rather far back, nearly stunned with +horror. Oh, the cruelty of the whole thing! Of course she recognised +Daisy; of course she recognised the caricature of herself. Oh! it was +a wicked, wicked thing to do, and she had no sympathy, and no friend +anywhere. She sat, it is true, amongst the girls, but she was not one +of them. They were absolutely yelling with laughter over the pranks of +the cat and the terror of the dog. They had never seen so fine a piece +of acting in their lives before. + +One girl was heard to say distinctly to another, 'Why, if that wee +doggie is not Leucha to the life, I 'm very much mistaken;' and Leucha +heard the words and knew that the mongrel dog was meant for her, and +yet she dared not do anything. She clung to her seat in abject misery. + +Suddenly the lights on the stage were lowered. They were made +strangely, weirdly dim; a kind of blue light pervaded the scene; the +different animals crouched together; and ghostie, very tall, very +skeleton-like, very fearsome, with his jet-black eyes, walked calmly +on. Oh, but he was a gruesome thing to see! There was a look of +horror on his face, and when he spoke, his words were awful. + +'I have come from the bottom of the cold lake. Dry my wet locks. +Which of you all will dry my locks? The poor beasties cannot. I must +jump over the enclosure and walk among the lassies and see which of +them will dry my dripping locks!' + +The blue light now pervaded all parts of the room, and the ghost went +straight up to Leucha. + +'You are brave; do this favour for poor ghostie. See how my black eyes +glitter into yours! Will not one of you come forward and dry my +sleekit locks? I thought the bravest lass in the school would do it, +so I came straight to wee Leuchy; but she has turned her head aside. +What ails the lassie? What can be coming over her, and she so brave +and so noble?' + +The intense sarcasm in these words caused the entire school to shriek +with laughter, in the midst of which Leucha flew to her room, vowing +that even the Duke's locket and crest would not keep her another day in +this fearful school. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +THE WARM HEART ROUSED AT LAST. + +Now the forgiving nature of Hollyhock Lennox has been often mentioned; +but just now she felt very nearly as angry with Leucha as Leucha was +with her. It was a strange sort of anger, an anger mingled with love, +for had Leucha said the slightest word, that warm, warm heart of the +Scots girl would have been hers once again. + +But Leucha would not say the word, although, strange as it may seem, +she also, down deep in her heart, was longing for Hollyhock, longing as +she had never longed for a human being before. She had been brought up +in a stiff, cold home, by a stiff, cold mother, and it was hard for her +to go against her nature. The girls of Ardshiel were altogether on the +side of Hollyhock, and Leucha was more lonely than ever. Her angry +boast that she would write to her mother and ask to be taken from the +school she had certainly not courage enough to carry out. Lady +Crossways would have been furious, and would have come quickly to +Ardshiel to punish her rebellious child, and as likely as not to fall +under Hollyhock's charm. + +Leucha had, therefore, to remain at the school, and as she had now +literally no friends (for even the girl who had played the kitchen cat +in the charade had completely deserted her, and her cousins, the +Frasers, had given her up long ago), she was forced to remain in +terrible isolation. + +Poor Mrs Macintyre was most unhappy about the girl; and as for +Hollyhock, she was downright wretched, but also, as she herself +described it, very wicked-like and full of a big slice o' the de'il. +The intense unhappiness of her mind caused her to be most freakish in +her behaviour, to tell impossible ghost-stories, and as she could not +sleep at nights and was really not at all well, to spend her time in +planning fresh plots for the annoyance of Leucha. + +Hollyhock, with all her loving nature, was also most defiant and most +daring, and there were few things she would pause at to punish the +English girl. + +How queer is life! These two girls loved each other, and yet neither +would succumb, neither would yield to the desires of the other. + +Hollyhock tried to forget her constant headaches, her bad nights, her +restless spirit, by employing her satellites in all sorts of +mischievous tasks. No one noticed that she was not well, for her +cheeks were apple-red with the glow of apparent health, and her lovely, +dark, affectionate eyes had never looked more brilliant than at present. + +Nevertheless, she _would_ pay Leuchy out--Leuchy, who had now no one to +protect her, as even the pious Meg Drummond was not allowed to make +special friends with her. Meg, in her way, was as commonplace as +Leucha, and she thought it a fine thing to know the daughter of an +English nobleman; but Meg was strictly forbidden to show any preference +for Leucha, who would have gladly received her, and been even now +slightly comforted by her dull society. But the fiat had gone forth. +Meg had made immense mischief in the school by her confession. She was +detested by all the other girls for having made this mischief, and was +as lonely in her way as Leucha herself. The one thing that sustained +the school at this painful juncture was the hard work necessitated by +the competitions for the Duke of Ardshiel's lockets. + +Leucha had a dim hope that if she won one of these great prizes and +could bring it back at Christmas to her mother, she might be allowed to +leave this hateful school. Accordingly, she worked hard at her theme. + +Hollyhock's choice, as she herself expressed it, was 'The Zone of +Danger.' It seemed in some ways a strange thing for Mrs Macintyre to +suggest, and she repented it after she had done so; but Hollyhock's +dancing eyes, and her brilliant cheeks, her smiles, her fascinating way +of saying, 'I 'm not frightened,' had obliged the head-mistress to keep +to her resolve. + +The competitions were of a somewhat peculiar nature. The six prizes +were more or less open ones. For instance, the girls who chose to +compete in the essay competition might choose their own subject. The +girls who went in for foreign languages might select French, German, or +Italian. The girls who struggled to attain general knowledge had a +very wide field indeed to select from. The only thing they had to do +was carefully to select their subject and hand it under a feigned name +to Mrs Macintyre, the envelope being sealed, and the lady herself not +knowing its contents until the day before the prizes were to be given +by the Duke of Ardshiel himself to the school. + +Her idea with regard to the competition which Hollyhock called 'The +Zone of Danger' was that the Scots lassie or English girl, as the case +might be, should perform a brilliant deed, a feat demanding skill, +endurance, and nerve. But Hollyhock intended her zone of danger to be +one really great and very terrible, something that was to take place at +night. Very few girls in the school chose to compete for this prize, +as they knew only too well that Holly would beat them into 'nothing at +all,' her magnificent bravery being so well known. + +One day, about a fortnight before the general break-up at the school, +when Mrs Macintyre was preparing to have a joyful time with her friends +in Edinburgh, and the Palace of the Kings was to be shut up, a band--a +very large band--of girls were collected round the fire in the +ingle-nook in the great hall, and were listening to Hollyhock's +fascinating words. + +Suddenly Agnes Featherstonhaugh spoke. She was a very reserved English +girl, and had only been won over to Hollyhock by slow degrees. But, +once she was won over, her heart was in a state of intense and +passionate devotion. She would, in short, do anything for this radiant +young creature. + +'Holly,' she said, as a slight pause in the animated conversation gave +her the chance she required, 'confession is good for the soul. Meg +knows that.-- Don't you, Meg?' + +Meg shrugged her shoulders, looked sulky, and made no reply. But when +Hollyhock touched her gently on the arm, she snuggled up to her in a +kind of passionate love. She felt inclined to weep, for she knew that +she--yes, _she_--had caused the terrible discord and unhappiness which +now reigned in the school. + +'I wish to say,' continued Agnes, 'that I am following in the footsteps +of a much finer character than my own. Leucha Villiers belongs to the +school'---- + +Hollyhock stirred restlessly. + +'And Leucha is alone morning, noon, and night, except when she is busy +over her essay.' + +'I--I'm _willing_'---- began Hollyhock. + +'No, Holly darling, you are not to be put upon any more than you have +been!' + +Similar remarks were made by a chorus of girls, who were really sick of +Leucha and her ways. + +'I--I'm _willing_,' said Hollyhock, bringing out the words with a great +effort. 'But there, let things slide. I have my own troubles, and +what I do, I do alone; only you all hear me say, lassies, that I'm +_willing_.-- Now, then, Agnes, go on with your speech.' + +'It's only this,' said Agnes, 'that, following in the steps of that +most noble creature, Meg Drummond, I also am confessing a little sin, a +small one at that; but I too must save my soul, girls, just as Meg had +to save hers.' + +'Go ahead,' said Hollyhock. + +'It was this very afternoon,' continued Agnes, 'when we were all busy +in the great warm schoolroom, no teachers being present, and we were +all occupied over our different competitions, each of us, of course, +hoping to win the prize given by the great Ardshiel. Well, it so +happened that Leucha Villiers's desk was next to mine, and Leucha +suddenly went out of the room, and a temptation swift and frightful +came over me. Nobody saw me do it, and why I did it I can never tell, +but do it I did; and if you 'll believe me, girls, I opened Leucha's +desk, no one seeing me at the job, and took out her paper on the +kitchen cat. I don't myself think she 'll get a prize from his Grace +for _that_ paper; and, what's more, I don't care, for venom is in the +girl, and in every word of her poor, stupid little paper. She compares +the kitchen cat to our dear Hollyhock, and abuses Hollyhock in such a +way'---- + +'Stop--say no more,' cried Hollyhock. 'You did wrong to read, and I +won't be told what was said of me. No, the daughter of a Cameron isn't +that sort.-- You can go on with your talk, lassies; but I 'm for my +bed. I have a bit of a headache, and the sleep so beauteous will take +it away.' + +With these words Hollyhock left the room, and Agnes found she had done +very little good by her confession. The other girls, however, who were +less scrupulous, crowded round her and implored her to tell them what +that 'wicked one' had said. + +'No; I 'll tell no more,' said Agnes. 'Holly wouldn't wish it. But, +oh, to think of that noble girl being spoken of like that! Oh, the +cruel, cruel, angry girl! My heart bleeds for our darling!' + +'She 'll not get the prize,' said a Scots girl. 'Think you now that +Ardshiel would give a prize to one who abuses his kinswoman?' + +'She has put her foot in it by so doing,' said another. + +'We'd best let her alone, Agnes; and you keep your confession to +yourself. You had no right to read the paper,' said Meg Drummond in +her solemn voice. + +'I had not,' replied Agnes; 'but seeing that you were so troubled by a +bit of a lark on account of your poor soul, Meg, I thought I 'd follow +suit.' + +'Well,' said Meg, who came out a good deal when Hollyhock was absent, +'my mother tells me my immortal soul is safe now. I can pray again, +and I 'm happy; but yours is a different case altogether, Agnes. +Anyhow, you have done the deed, and one of the lockets will never go to +Earl Crossways' daughter.' + +The girls talked together for a little longer, all of them rejoicing in +the thought that Leucha had now no possible chance of a locket. She +was so thoroughly disliked in the school that they positively rejoiced +in this certainty, and forgave Agnes her mean trick of looking at the +essay. + +But Hollyhock, up in her room, having bluntly refused to listen to any +of the words of the naughty girl who had read a part of the essay, was +nevertheless wild with rage, and could not possibly rest. That sense +of forgiveness which she had felt when seated with her companions round +the ingle-nook had now absolutely vanished. She would not demean +herself by listening to words which were not meant for her to hear; but +for the time being at least her little heart was sore, very sore, with +anger. 'Oh Leuchy, whyever are you so spiteful, and why does my head +split, and why does my heart ache for love of one who could be so cruel +to me? Did I not repent over and over and over again? She has done +for herself; but when I go into the danger zone, I go into it now in +very truth. Perhaps when poor Hollyhock is no longer flitting about +the place you 'll think more kindly of me, Leuchy. I was willing for +your sake to make a final effort to be good, but the wish has died. I +'m a bad lass, and you 'll describe me as I am, when the essay on the +kitchen cat is read aloud. Oh Leuchy, _I_ would not be so mean!' + +All night long Hollyhock tossed from side to side on her restless +couch, thinking and planning how she would perform that feat which +would stamp her as the bravest lassie in the school. + +There was one action which she could perform, one action which was so +full of danger that no other girl in the school would attempt it. It +was, in short, the following. On the night when she entered the danger +zone, she would enter it on her own Arab horse, Lightning Speed. She +could easily get this brilliant little animal over to the Palace of the +Kings by the aid of Magsie, who was more devoted to her than ever. She +would ride her horse, Lightning Speed, in the dead of night, with the +moon shining brightly, up a certain gorge which led to the source of +one of the streams that kept the great lake supplied with water. + +Lightning Speed was a high-spirited little animal, a thoroughbred Arab +no less, and Hollyhock knew that at the top of the gorge, when all +things looked so ghostly, he would start at every shadow and at the +slightest sound. He was all nerves, was Lightning Speed--all nerves +and gallant bearing, and devotion to Hollyhock. + +At the top of the gorge was a sudden break in the cliffs, below which +roared the mountain stream. The bold girl resolved to leap from the +rock on the one side to the opposite rock. She was determined that +Lightning Speed would and _should_ obey her, for did not he love her, +the bonnie beastie? + +She would not have attempted this deed, because she loved the brave +steed; but now she had heard of Leucha's conduct to her, her mind was +made up. She and Lightning Speed would leap the gorge, and she had +little doubt that they would both land safe on the opposite side. + +But this plan of hers, meaning certain death if it failed, was to be +kept a profound secret from every one in the school except Magsie, who +would be able to confirm what Hollyhock had done when the day and hour +arrived. + +Hollyhock, having quite made up her mind, at last fell asleep, and next +morning went downstairs very calm and peaceful to her usual lessons. +She had the calm, heroic look of Brunhilda, the favourite of all +Wagner's great heroines. She even muttered to herself, 'If I die, I +die, and the fire spirits of the great Brunhilda will surround me. I +'ll die rejoicing; but I 'll never, never do a mean deed. No, my +bonnie Lightning Speed and I couldn't bring ourselves so low. We are +meant for better things, my good steed, and better things we 'll do. I +have no fear. Hollyhock is very happy this day of days.' + +Her chosen chums and companions couldn't help looking with fresh wonder +at her radiant and lovely face. They little knew what was before them. +She was kind and sweet to every one, but a little quiet, not quite so +restless as usual, but with a wondrous light glowing in her eyes. + +The other Flower Girls looked at her in astonishment, but no one had +any fear for Hollyhock. She was not the sort of girl to stir fear +about herself in others. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +THE FIRE SPIRITS. + +A fortnight with so much excitement in the air passes very quickly. +The girls felt this excitement, although they did not talk of it one to +the other. + +Leucha sat alone when she was not engaged at her school tasks, and made +her essay on the kitchen cat as venomous as she knew how. Luckily for +poor Leucha, she had not the ability to do much in the way of sarcasm, +and although every single girl in the school must know at a glance that +this feeble caricature was meant for their beloved Hollyhock, it would +certainly not injure the dear Hollyhock in the least. + +Meanwhile Holly, absorbed in helping the other girls to make the time +pass as pleasantly as possible, and in doing mysterious things on +Sunday with Lightning Speed, also forgot Leucha for the time being. +Whenever she did think of her she was sorry for her; but she had not +time to think much of any single person just at present. The horse, +the darling horse, the Arab, the treasure of her life, must be trained +to the task which lay before him. Hollyhock had the knack of making +all animals love her, and the pure-bred Arab is noted for being a most +affectionate creature. He was sulky, and disinclined to obey big +grooms or any one except Hollyhock. But for her he would have given +his life. + +The eyes, so flashing black; the coat, black also and of such a silken +sheen; the tail, a little longer than that of most horses; and the +great lovely mane, all gave to the gallant animal a look of +determination and of spirit, which drew the remarks of the neighbours, +who could not imagine why Hollyhock had been presented by her father +with so much finer a horse to ride than the other Flower Girls. But +the fact was that the four other Flower Girls did not so greatly care +for riding, and although they often went out accompanied by their +father on the Saturday and Sunday afternoons, yet they preferred steeds +less spirited in nature than Lightning Speed. + +Hollyhock had, therefore, her own way entirely with her precious +treasure, and for his sake she would not, if possible, endanger the +life of Lightning Speed. She knew well that the leap of twelve feet +which she intended to take would be a mere nothing to Lightning Speed +in the ordinary hours of daylight; but with the moon shining +brilliantly and casting strange lights and also queer black shadows, +and with the terrific noise made by the foaming torrent below, the +horse, brave as he was, might refuse the leap at the last moment. + +'At any cost he must not do that,' thought Hollyhock. + +'You must not disgrace me, my bonnie beastie,' she whispered into his +sensitive ear; and certainly the Arab looked as if he had no intention +of disgracing the girl he loved. + +She took him to the gorge on two Saturdays and Sundays in succession, +and gave him imperious orders to leap across, which he did without a +moment's hesitation, leaping back again with equal ease. But this was +daylight. Things looked different at night. Animals were known to see +strange, uncanny things at night; the shadows were not mere shadows to +them. They were monsters beckoning them to destruction. The light, +too, of the full moon--for it would be full moon that night--would add +to the terrors of Lightning Speed. That intense white world would be +as terrifying to him as the blackness of the gorge and the sudden awful +gap over which he was expected to leap. + +Now the prizes were to be presented to the girls of the school by the +great Duke himself, and Mrs Macintyre assumed that the three or four +young maids who were to perform their deeds of daring would choose the +daytime for the display of their courage. + +As a matter of fact, very few girls did go in for this prize--five or +six at the most--and these, so far as Mrs Macintyre could tell, chose +the broad light of day to show the stuff they were made of. It never +entered her wildest dreams that Hollyhock would perform her feat, her +daring adventure, about midnight. It was _then_ that the moon would be +at the full. + +Hollyhock could not have carried out the design without the help of +Magsie, who had got her sweetheart, Joey Comfort, one of the grooms at +The Garden, to bring Lightning Speed to the Palace of the Kings. But +even Magsie, who knew the horse was there, had not the faintest idea +that her young mistress would take out so spirited a steed in the +uncanny hours of the night. She did, however, wonder during the day on +which the other competitors were performing their feats of bravery why +her favourite, Miss Hollyhock, was holding back. One by one the +different girls did different small things, which were brave enough in +their way, and all the time a mistress stood by and marked the girl and +her achievement. But Hollyhock had not come forward. She, who was so +extraordinarily brave, kept in the background. The girls were not +allowed to be questioned as to their intentions in this open +competition, and the teachers therefore assumed that although the +different essays had gone to the head-mistress in their sealed +envelopes under feigned names, and the other prizes had been competed +for and were waiting a judgment in Mrs Macintyre's room, Holly would +doubtless have plenty of time to perform something brilliant, and they +only hoped not too reckless, early on the following day. That would be +quite time enough for her deed of courage, and no one thought of a +midnight ride--a wild, half-despairing girl, and a horse so full at +once of timidity and courage, who would go forth to perform their feat +of all feats at the hour of midnight. + +As usual, the girls crowded round Hollyhock that evening and asked for +bogy and ghost stories. She told them with a _verve_ which she had +never shown before, and they listened with awed and loving admiration. +Oh, was there ever the like of this girl before in the wide world? +thought those who loved her. Never, never had she spoken as she did +to-night. They shrank together under the spell of her words. A few of +them even wept as they listened, and the one who wept most sadly was +Meg, that pious maid, who had done such mischief to save her soul. + +'Oh Holly, but I do love you!' said Meg, laying her head for a minute +on Hollyhock's shoulder. + +Hollyhock, who, as is well known, could not bear kisses, gently patted +Meg's hand, and then stood up. + +'Well, girls,' she said, 'to-morrow will be the great day, the grand +day, when the Duke gives prizes to the school. I think nothing myself +of the prizes, having a right on my mother's side to the grand crest of +the Camerons; but I 'm drowsy. Most of you have done your best, and +even Leuchy will be put about if she does not get a prize. Listen to +me, lassies. I have yet to perform my feat, and no one knows what the +feat is.' + +'I suppose it will be to-morrow morning that you will do it?' said Meg. +'Please don't run into danger, Holly, for that would break the heart of +every girl in the school.' + +'_Me_--run into danger! Is it like me, now? Do you think I 'm the +sort who 'd wilfully imperil my life? No, not me! But I 'm tired of +these constant headaches, and I 'd like a wee bit of rest. You say +I'll perform my feat in the morning. Some are clever at guessing--let +that be. But whatever happens in the future--and no one can tell--I +want Leuchy to know that I bear her no malice, and that if she thinks +me like poor Jean, the kitchen cat at The Garden, why, I'm satisfied. +You are all here round me with the exception of Leuchy, and I 'm +thinking of her loneliness. Well, whatever happens--and I don't think +for a moment anything _will_ happen--I'd like Leuchy to know that all +through this bitter, sad time, while Meg here was saving her soul--and +quite right you were, Meg--I have never ceased to love Leuchy--never. +She was not the sort of girl I 'd take up; but I did her a wrong, and +so I took her up; and I want her to forgive me, if indeed there is +anything to forgive. Now, good-night; I 'm off to my bed to ease my +troubled head. There's nothing like sleep for that, is there?' + +To the astonishment of the girls, Hollyhock kissed one and all, and +said, 'I'm getting sentimental. I must to bed to cure my headache. A +very good night to you!' + +She flitted out of the room, the girls looking after her in startled +amazement. + +'I don't like it, for my part,' said Meg Drummond. + +'Oh, but it's all right,' said Gentian. 'It's only our Holly's way. +She's excited, that's all.' + +'Yes, I expect that's about all,' said Jasmine, but she spoke with a +certain uneasiness, which was not, however, apparent in her voice. + +By-and-by the girls followed Hollyhock to their rooms. It has been +said already that Hollyhock's room and Leucha's were side by side. +Hollyhock went up to bed on this special night before nine o'clock. +She guessed well that Leucha would be in her room. In case anything +happened--_in case!_ but of course nothing would happen--she had left a +message for Leuchy with the other girls of the school; but now, as she +passed her door, a desire to make one last effort to speak to her, to +be friends with her once more, came over the brave child with a +passionate force. + +She tapped at the door, and without waiting for an answer opened it +softly and went in. She had spent days in that room as sick-nurse. +How uncomfortable that camp-bed was, too; how restless and exigent was +Leucha! But the room looked tidy enough now with the camp-bed removed +and a brilliant fire blazing in the grate. Certainly the Duke's school +did not lack for luxury. + +Leucha was seated by the fire. Her face was pale, and her light, thin +hair was unbecomingly dressed. She had been forced, of course, to +dress for the evening; but she was now wearing an old tea-gown, which +had been made for her out of one of Lady Crossways' worn-out garments. +The tea-gown was of a light brown; the make was poor, but it was warm +and comfortable, although nothing could be more trying to Leucha's +appearance. Holly could have worn it, as she could wear anything with +effect; but Leucha, with her pale eyes and scanty locks, was a +different sort of being. The brown tea-gown certainly did not suit +her. Hollyhock, who was wearing a dress of soft silk and brightest +crimson in colour, looked a magnificent young figure beside the dowdy +Leucha. + +Leucha knew at once that she looked dowdy, and hated Holly all the more +for showing herself off, as she expressed it. + +'What have you come for?' she said. 'I haven't invited you.' + +'I only thought, Leuchy dear, I 'd like to say good-night,' said Holly +in her rich, gentle tones. + +'Oh, good-night, good-night. But surely you are not going to bed yet?' + +'Yes, that I am. My head aches, and there's no place for an aching +head like bed. I thought perhaps, perhaps'--Hollyhock's voice +trembled--'you'd give me one kiss, Leuchy.' + +'Don't be such a goose,' said Leucha. 'I don't want to kiss you.' + +'Very well; good-night, Leuchy dear!' + +Hollyhock went into her own room. The moment she had gone Leucha +became possessed by a tremendous desire to give that kiss so sweetly +asked for. But her obstinate and silly pride prevented her. Besides, +how could Leucha possibly kiss a girl whom she had made such a rare +fool of? No, it could not be. + +The fact was that Leucha was exceedingly pleased with her own work, and +quite hoped to take the Duke of Ardshiel's locket to her mother, and +thus get away from the horrid school. She had not the least suspicion +of its contents being known, or at least partly known, to several girls +in the school. But even she could not kiss Hollyhock to-night; even +she could not give that Judas kiss. + +She snuggled into her chair, wrapped her ugly tea-gown round her, and +wondered what possessed Hollyhock to go to bed so early, and why she +was always suffering from headaches. So unlike her, too, for she +looked the very picture of rosy health. Leucha made up her mind that +Hollyhock was putting on these headaches to enlist the sympathy of the +school. + +'Just like her,' thought Leucha; and yet through all her angry thoughts +and all through the writing of the vicious and silly essay she knew +well that she loved Hollyhock as she loved no one else in the school. +Yes, Hollyhock was the only girl she loved. She might bring herself to +make up the quarrel with her next term, but she could not give her a +Judas kiss to-night. + +Hollyhock crept into bed without undressing fully. Her habit lay ready +beside her, but in such a position that no one would notice it. She +had taken off her pretty crimson frock, and had plaited her masses of +black hair into two thick tails, the ends of which she secured with +scarlet ribbons. + +Half-dressed, she hid under the bedclothes. She could slip into her +habit and go downstairs with noiseless feet when the moon was near its +height. The adventure would be quickly over, and she would be free, +she would be happy. She would have done the bravest deed of all the +girls in the school, and her beloved, her best-beloved, Lightning Speed +would not come to harm. Mistress and horse loved each other too well +for that to happen. She could control him by a look, a touch, a word. + +But the time was long in coming. Hollyhock had done her part as far as +girl could. She must now keep calm and try to ease that ever-aching +head. + +One by one the girls went up to bed; but still Hollyhock had to lie +awake, waiting, waiting, pining for the weary hours to pass, for there +was no use in attempting the dangerous task before the moon was at its +full, and that would not be until midnight. + +The dressing of herself, the arranging of her sidesaddle on Lightning +Speed, the starting for the celebrated gorge, would take her altogether +about half-an-hour, the gorge being some distance from the Palace of +the Kings. + +At half-past eleven, therefore, she might safely get up and prepare for +her task. Every other girl in the school was long in bed and sound +asleep. The servants had retired to their rooms, the teachers had gone +to their rest, for to-morrow was to be a great day, as the Duke himself +was expected to present the lockets to the six successful candidates +for the prizes. The great Ardshiel would be at the school to-morrow at +mid-day, and Mrs Macintyre thought she had better go to bed early. She +was always the last to sit up in the Palace of the Kings; but to-night +she went to her room at sharp eleven, a little weary, a little +perplexed, a little sorry, for she had read Leucha's vindictive essay, +and felt that she could not possibly keep such a girl any longer in the +school. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +HOLLYHOCK'S DEED OF VALOUR. + +Little did any one in that great house suspect what was going on during +those hours devoted to peaceful slumber. Mrs Macintyre was dreaming of +the Duke, and of the great honour he was about to confer on her school. +Leucha, worn-out and unhappy, was sleeping peacefully at last. Every +girl in the school was at rest, with the exception of the one girl who +had yet to perform her feat of valour. There was, however, one +exception to the intense peace of the school, and that exception was +Magsie, who, although she never imagined such an awful catastrophe as +might occur, still was full of a latent uneasiness with regard to Miss +Hollyhock. Magsie slept, of course, because she was tired; but she +woke again because her dreams were bad. They were all about bonnie +Miss Hollyhock and Lightning Speed. She felt so anxious that after +some time she rose softly, left the other servants, and crept out into +the moonlight night. + +It was now past midnight, and the moon was setting. Magsie's steps +first took her in the direction of the stables. She peeped into one +stall after another. There was no sign anywhere of Lightning Speed. +This was quite sufficient for the brave Scots lass. She made up her +mind and acted accordingly. + +Meanwhile Hollyhock, a little before half-past eleven o'clock, had +risen very gently, and carefully adjusted her habit and her little +scarlet cap, which she was fond of wearing when she rode with Dumpy +Dad. Her scarlet ribbons kept her hair tied tightly back--those long, +thick, magnificent black locks of hers. As a rule, when she rode with +her father she wore her hair unbound, floating wildly in the breeze; +but she thought Lightning Speed would like her best to-night in her +present attire. She had chosen an old habit of dark Lincoln green. +She glanced at herself for a moment in the glass. Why _would_ her head +keep aching, aching, when she _looked_ so well, when her cheeks were so +bright and her great black eyes so sparkling? + +It is true that when she touched her forehead she felt it feverishly +hot, but she could not be in any way ill; that was impossible. She had +never looked better, and looks would sometimes show signs of illness. +How bad, for instance, poor Leuchy had looked after she, Hollyhock, had +played the prank on her; how withered up, like an apple all +overripe--her eyes so dim, her scanty locks so faded! Well, she must +not think of Leuchy now; only she would have been a little happier if +Leuchy had given her the kiss she had asked for. + +The maids of England were cold. She, Hollyhock, could not understand +them, could not attempt to fathom them. She crept softly downstairs, +gathering her habit over her arm. + +The moon was now full and at its height. She would reach the gap in +the gorge just at the critical moment. The adventure _was_ a wee bit +dangerous--she had to acknowledge that to herself--a wee bit, no more! + +She reached the stable where Lightning Speed was waiting for her. She +had put two or three apples into the pocket of her habit. She gave one +to her darling Arab as she prepared him for his ride. Quickly he was +ready. The girl saw that the girths of the side-saddle were right, +tight, and sure. She took all possible precautions, for if she were to +die or hurt herself it would be bad; but if Lightning Speed were to +hurt his precious self, it would be, according to Hollyhock, a thousand +times worse. The horse neighed at the caress and the apple, and +Hollyhock let him peep into the little reserve of apples in the pocket +at her side, which were all to be his when the great feat was +accomplished. + +It seemed to her that Lightning Speed knew her very thoughts. He +sniffed gratefully. She sprang lightly on his back, having first +secured the door of the stable. + +A minute later they were off and away. She thought of young Lochinvar; +she thought of the splendid ballads of her native land; she felt +thrilled with the excitement of the moment; but how ghastly white was +the moon, and how tremendously big and black the shadows where the moon +did not fall! Both girl and horse felt these brightnesses and these +shadows. + +'Well,' thought Hollyhock, 'it will be soon over, my bonnie Lightning +Speed;' and the horse, disturbed a little at first by the unearthly +glamour over everything, soon calmed down and made straight for the +gorge up which rider and steed were to mount, in order to accomplish +that awful leap from rock to rock, which they must take twice in order +that Hollyhock might really feel that she had done a deed worthy of the +prize. + +The horse evidently did not like the intense whiteness of the moon; but +when he got into the comparative darkness of the gorge, he calmed down +and became his usual self. Hollyhock did not attempt to urge him in +any way; she simply let him go his own gait, patting him several times +on his glossy coat. She knew well that the crucial moment would arrive +when they left the shadow of the gorge and stood forth, girl and horse, +prepared to take the leap, which, if by any chance Lightning Speed +rebelled, must be fatal to them both. + +How terribly her head ached; how giddy, how almost silly, she felt! +But at any cost she must carry through her task, that task of hers to +which she had given her whole mind. + +The ascent into the intensely bright moonlight was certainly not good +for the nerves of Lightning Speed, and when Hollyhock headed him for +the leap which he must take, just for a brief, very brief, moment he +hesitated. But he loved his mistress. Ah, how _much_ he loved her! +Would _he_ disobey when _she_ ordered him to do a certain deed? He had +never disobeyed her yet, never from the time she first mounted his back +and held his reins. + +Her own eyes felt slightly dazzled by the pain in her head and the +intense whiteness of the scene. The roaring torrent below had never +sounded so ferociously loud. Holly leant forward and looked into +Lightning Speed's jet-black eyes, those eyes as soft as they were +black, as wonderfully full of feeling as were Holly's own bright, +loving eyes. The black eyes of the girl looked into the black eyes of +the horse. + +She said aloud in her soft magnetic whisper, 'You 'll _do_ it, my +bonnie lad; you 'll take the leap, for the love of me, my bonnie, +bonnie lad;' and the horse seemed to answer her back, for he gave a +gentle neigh and prepared himself for the leap. + +Any one else he would have resisted, but not Hollyhock, not his beloved +mistress. He knew exactly how to accomplish the exploit required of +him. He bounded a bit back, then a bit forward, then sprang across +with a noble endeavour, and reached the opposite bank. + +They were both in safety. + +'Oh, but you are good, Lightning Speed,' said Hollyhock. 'You have +done the worst now, and shall have an apple for your pains. Then we +must turn back; but the backward leap will not be so dangerous by half +as was the forward.' + +By this time Lightning Speed felt as excited as his young mistress. He +could scarcely bring himself to eat the apple, so anxious he seemed to +complete his task and get back to the safety and shelter of the gorge. +He was not frightened now, not he. He would have leaped double that +distance if he could for Hollyhock the brave. He prepared himself for +the return leap. He sprang out over the awful chasm. + +But what ailed Hollyhock herself? The horse showed no fear; but the +girl trembled and reeled. Just as they had almost reached the opposite +side, and, as far as Lightning Speed was concerned, were in absolute +safety, Hollyhock found herself slipping from the saddle. The horse +was safe as safe could be; but she--she had slipped and rolled headlong +down the steep bank. The aching in her head was so tremendous that she +had absolutely no strength to keep her seat. She felt herself falling, +falling, bruised and battered by sharp rocks. And then all was a +merciful blank. She knew no more. + +When she came to her senses again she sat up with a great shiver, and +found herself perilously perched on a narrow ledge of rock, while away +above her head Lightning Speed looked down at her and whinnied in the +deepest distress. To get down to her, to help, to reach her, was for +him impossible. His whole heart was hers; but he could do nothing for +her, nothing at all! + +She saw his gallant head looking down at her, and she managed to call +out to him, 'Go home, my bonnie Lightning Speed; go home, and get some +one to bring ropes for poor Hollyhock. Oh, but you are a brave and +noble beastie!' + +The horse was puzzled whether to obey or not. Home to him was not the +Palace of the Kings, but his own comfortable loose-box at The Garden. +The stable would be locked now; but he might go to the front-door and +scrabble with his feet and make a loud and piercing whinny. Then, of a +surety, the Lennox man, Hollyhock's father, would come out, and he, +Lightning Speed, would lead him to the scene of danger. + +Now there was one fact that both girl and horse forgot. In order to +get out and in Hollyhock had taken pains early in the day to secure the +gate keys of the Palace of the Kings; but both horse and girl forgot +that the gates of The Garden, the beloved home of Lightning Speed, +would be locked until early in the morning. It would be all in vain +for Lightning Speed to try to surmount those high iron gates, in order +to secure the services of George Lennox. + +But while Hollyhock thus clung desperately to the narrow ledge of rock, +which was at least twenty feet down from the top of the famous leap, +and forty feet above the roaring torrent of water, Magsie had not been +idle. She wasted no time in waking the house. She concluded at once +that Miss Hollyhock was away, because Lightning Speed was away. In a +flash she guessed why the girl had done no feat that day. She also +felt almost certain where she would take Lightning Speed. For horse +and rider to leap a chasm of twelve feet in the bright moonlight would +be a fine act of courage, a mighty act, just the thing that Miss +Hollyhock would attempt, and Magsie now recalled with dismay certain +hints about the gorge dropped by that intrepid young horse-woman. + +It has been said that the Palace of the Kings lay between The Paddock +and The Garden, but if anything it was a trifle nearer to The Paddock +than it was to The Garden. Magsie therefore determined to go to The +Paddock and get the help of Master Jasper and any others she could +find, in the vague and almost forlorn hope of rescuing Hollyhock. + +There seemed no hope for her; but Magsie must do her best. How she +blamed herself now for allowing Joey Comfort to bring the horse to +Ardshiel! But it was too late for praise or for blame. All Magsie +could do was to act, and act promptly. Accordingly, flying like a wild +creature, she made for the lodge gates, which, as she had feared, she +found unlocked. Hollyhock had the keys. She soon reached The Paddock, +entered by the smaller gate, and flung gravel at the window of Master +Jasper's room. + +In an instant Jasper put out his head. 'Why, Magsie, whatever is +wrong?' he said. + +'Why, _all_ is wrong, and mighty wrong,' said Magsie. 'Come along this +minute, Master Jasper, and bring wi' ye a coil o' rope and as many +other strong lads as ye can find in the school. Be quick, for it is +Miss Hollyhock, no less, that we are tryin' to save.' + +Jasper felt a sick, terrible fear creeping over him; but he was a lad +of fine courage. In a very few minutes he had roused Andy Mackenzie, +John Meiklejohn, and his own brother Wallace, and, with a great coil of +rope, joined Magsie outside the window. + +'I don't want my mother frightened,' said Jasper; 'but whatever is +wrong, Magsie?' + +'Didn't I tell ye? Isn't my heart like to break? She would do it, the +wild lassie; she would take out Lightnin' Speed to the gap between the +twa rocks and put him to the leap at this time o' nicht. Eh, but what +horse wad stan' such doin's and the moon at the full?' + +'However did she get Lightning Speed?' asked Jasper. + +'That was my fault! She coaxed me, and coaxed Joey Comfort, my young +man, to get Lightnin' Speed into the stables o' the Palace o' the +Kings. They were havin' prizes--thochts o' the de'il, I think +them--and what must she do but make up her mind to leap across the +rocks when the moon was at the full! Ah, I ken I'm richt! I went to +the stables, and Lightnin' Speed was not there. She's that bold! She +may even now be floatin' in the water. Oh, I 'm afeared; I 'm near mad +wi' fear.' + +'Well, come along, come along,' said Jasper. 'We haven't a second to +lose. Why, if there is not Lightning Speed his very self! Hollyhock, +as like as not, is close behind him.--Lightning Speed, my bonnie +beastie, wherever is your mistress?' + +Lightning Speed--who had to pass The Paddock on his way back to the +Palace of the Kings and The Garden--turned like a flash and led the way +up the gorge. He was much relieved in his dear horsy mind by this +goodly assembly of young rescuers. Much he wished he could speak, but +that gift was denied him. + +At last, however, panting and puffing, Magsie and the boys reached the +cleft in the rocks. Lightning Speed, still wearing his side-saddle, +which was pulled a little crooked, bent over the chasm and turned his +black eyes to Jasper, as much as to say, 'Now this work is yours. Call +out to her; call out to her!' + +Lightning Speed whinnied very gently, and then Jasper knelt down and +looked into the great hole. The noise of the rushing water made his +voice difficult to hear for the girl, who was still clinging to the +ledge of rock. + +But at last, to his infinite delight, Jasper heard her answer very +weakly, 'I 'm here, Jasper; but I 'm nigh to slipping. It's my head, +Jasper, and the giddiness that is over me. Good-night, good-night, +Jasper dear; you cannot save me!' + +'Don't say that,' replied Jasper. 'Keep up your courage for a minute +or two longer, Holly, and _I'll_ come to you. Thank goodness I have +plenty of rope.' + +[Illustration: The Rescue.] + +Jasper had an earnest and very rapid conversation with John Meiklejohn +and Andy Mackenzie and Wallace. Quickly a rope was passed under his +arms and round his waist, and before she could believe it possible, +Hollyhock, weak, giddy, helpless, was caught in the boy's arms. + +He gave the words, '_Right you are; pull away!_' and in a trice the +three lads and Magsie pulled the girl and the boy up to the summit of +the rock. + +Hollyhock lay like one dead, but the boys carried her straight back to +the Annex, which was the nearest house, and there she could at once +receive her aunt's most tender care and treatment. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +ARDSHIEL TO THE RESCUE. + +Wild indeed was the excitement when the facts of that terrible night +were known; when the Duke of Ardshiel himself, who was to give away the +prizes--the beautiful prizes with his Grace's crest--arrived on the +scene and found no Hollyhock, but a distracted head-mistress and a lot +of miserable-looking girls. + +Now, as it happened, Ardshiel loved Hollyhock as he had never loved a +girl since Viola Cameron, long ago, had disappointed him. He was often +at another great castle of his, close to the Palace of the Kings, and +on these occasions he frequently saw his little kinswoman riding on +Lightning Speed beside her father, who looked very noble himself on his +great black charger, which he called Ardshiel, after the Duke. + +The Duke used to nod civilly enough to Lennox; but his eyes and his +thoughts were all for Hollyhock, the black-eyed lass who rode so +superbly. When she was with her father he never spoke to her; but on +the occasions when she happened to be alone, he invariably drew up and +had a 'crack' with the lass, admiring her sparkling eyes, her smart +appearance, her wonderful life and love and bravery, all of which shone +in her face. The Duke, alas! had no children, and whenever he saw +Hollyhock he sighed at the thought of the joy which would have been his +had he possessed so fine a lass. + +Hollyhock had that sort of nature which thought nothing at all of rank +for rank's sake, but she admired the dear old man, as she called the +Duke, and flashed her bright, sparkling, naughty eyes into his face, +and talked nonsense to him, which filled his Grace with delight. +Little did Miss Delacour guess or Mrs Macintyre conceive that it was +because of this brave lassie, and because of her alone, that the great +Palace of the Kings had been turned into a school. + +The Duke came to Ardshiel on this occasion with his heart beating a +trifle loud for so old a man. He cared little or nothing for the other +girls; but he would see his favourite, and secretly he had resolved +that the diamonds in the locket which she was sure to win should be +larger, finer, more brilliant than those which were presented to the +other girls. + +But, alack and alas, what horrible news met him! The head-mistress, +Mrs Macintyre, came out with tears in her eyes to tell him what had +occurred in the watches of the night. The Duke, a white-haired old +man, looked very solemn as he listened. His heart was sick within him. + +'Now, listen,' he said when he could find his voice. 'Is there danger +of her life?' + +'We don't know; we are not sure,' said Mrs Macintyre. 'She is at +present in a very high fever, and the doctor has been to see her, your +Grace.' + +'I tell you, madam, that I 'll send, at my own expense, for the best +doctors in Edinburgh, even in London. That lassie's life has _got_ to +be saved, and my pocket is wide open for the purpose. I wonder, now, +if I could peep at her. I 'd very much like to.' + +'I greatly fear not to-day, your Grace. She has to be kept very quiet.' + +'Ah, well! The bravery of the girl! Who else but herself would ride +Lightning Speed with the moon at the full? Here's her locket. I chose +it a little finer than the others, because she 's a finer lass, and I +guessed her deed of daring would _be_ a deed of daring, truly. Keep it +for her, madam, and send for the specialists.' + +The Duke abruptly left the house, and Mrs Macintyre, with her eyes full +of tears, put Hollyhock's special locket aside without even opening it, +and gave orders in the Duke's name that the greatest doctors be +summoned to the bedside of the sick girl. Then she called her most +esteemed English teacher to her side. + +'You must do it, my dear,' she said. + +'Do what, dear Mrs Macintyre?' + +'Why, I'm nearly as much broken down as the Duke. The poor lassie! +You have read the essays, and know the deeds of daring, and have gone +through the different subjects very carefully, Miss Graham. Then, will +you now give the lockets to the girls you think most deserving? The +locket given for valour is Hollyhock's by every right. The Duke +desires that she shall have it, and I 'll put it away for her until she +is well enough to receive it.' + +The Duke, who hated motor-cars, and still kept to the old-fashioned +magnificent carriage with its pair of spirited horses, was driving down +the avenue. He was nearly heart-broken with grief. If that girlie +died, he felt that his gray hairs would go down with sorrow to the +grave. He had come up that avenue so full of hope, he was driving down +equally full of despair. He was not content to trust wholly to Mrs +Macintyre. He himself would telephone immediately to the best doctors +in the land. On his way down the avenue he was startled by hearing the +bitter sobbing of a girl. The sobbing was so terrible in its intensity +that he could not forbear from drawing the check-string, pushing his +snowy head through the open window of the great carriage, and calling +out, 'Who 's there? Who's making that noise?' + +Immediately a very frightened and plain little girl stepped into view. +It was Leucha Villiers. All things possible had been tried to win her +stubborn heart, but it was melted at last. It was she--she felt it was +she--who had been the means of destroying Hollyhock. + +'What ails you, girl?' asked the Duke. 'I'm Ardshiel, and I am in a +hurry. What makes you weep such bitter tears?' + +He looked her up and down with some contempt. + +'Oh, your Grace, it was really my fault. I 'm sure it was.' + +'What--what?' said the Duke. 'Speak out, lass.' + +'I've always been unkind to Hollyhock, although she was so good to +me--oh! so good; but I--I was jealous of her; and now she is going to +be taken away, and last evening she came to my room and asked me for +one kiss, and I refused--I refused. Oh! my heart is broken. Oh! I am +a bad girl. There never was Hollyhock's like in the school.' + +'Keep your broken heart, lass,' said the Duke. 'I cannot waste time +with you now. I'm off for the doctors.' + +Leucha crawled back toward the house, and the Duke went immediately to +his own stately palace and telephoned to the cleverest medical men he +knew: 'Come at once to Constable's, a place they call The Paddock or +the Annex. There's a lass there like to die. She's a near relative of +mine, and I 'll save her if it costs me half of my fortune.' + +A couple of famous specialists accepted the Duke's command; and, having +so far relieved his soul, he went to Mrs Constable and begged to be +allowed to remain at The Paddock until the arrival of the physicians. + +During this long time of waiting he had an interview with Jasper, who +gave him a vivid and most modest account of what had occurred the night +before. + +'You are a brave lad,' said the Duke. 'I 'll never forget it--never. +And that fine horse--that bonnie beastie--if _she_ doesn't ride him +again, no one else shall. He 'll browse in my grounds, and live happy +till his dying day.' + +'Oh, but he 'd die!' cried Jasper. 'Dear Duke of Ardshiel, I _think_, +down deep in my heart, that Hollyhock will recover.' + +Meanwhile, in the sickroom, the girl who had gone through so much raved +and moaned, and went over and over again the terrible feat she had +achieved, and over and over again one special name came to her lips. +'Leuchy, you _might_ have kissed me. I do think you _might_ have +kissed me. I 'm wondering if she 'd kiss me _now_, before I go away.' + +Hollyhock kept up this fearful moaning until both the great doctors +arrived. They saw that Hollyhock was quite delirious, and they +listened to her wild and rambling words. Of course, George Lennox was +in the child's room, his heart in truth nearly broken; but Hollyhock +did not know that he was there. She was thinking more of that kiss +which had been refused than of anything else just then. + +Ah! why was Leuchy _so_ hard--harder than a rock?' + +The doctors noticed the constant repetition of the girl's remark, and +having spoken very gravely of the case to Mrs Constable, and to the +poor stricken father, went down to interview the Duke. + +'Well, your Grace,' Sir Alexander Macalister said, 'we have no good +news for you. The lassie is ill--very ill. She's fretting over and +over for a girl she calls Leucha. We think that if, perhaps, she saw +Leucha, it might do her good, and calm her, and tend to bring down her +fever. It runs very high at present. She talks of a girl who refuses +to _kiss_ her.' + +'My word!' said Ardshiel; 'and you think she ought to see _that_ +creature?' + +'It might be wise,' said Sir Alexander Macalister. 'It might be the +means of saving her life.' + +'Then run, my lad, run for your bare life, and bring that girl to her. +I met the girl in the avenue crying like anything. I gave her no sort +of comfort; but if the doctors think that she may save brave Hollyhock, +she shall come. Go at once, laddie; go at once. You know who she is.' + +'Oh yes, I know,' said Jasper. 'She's a horrid, detestable girl.' + +'There, you hear him,' said the Duke. 'I thought so myself; but if a +poor worm can help to pull _her_ round, why, that worm shall come and +do her duty. Bring her along with you, Jasper, my boy.' + +Thus it happened, to the astonishment of the unhappy school, that young +Jasper Constable arrived on the scene, took Leucha roughly by the hand, +gave her a look of the most unutterable contempt, and told her to come +away at once. + +Nobody interfered, for nobody was doing her ordinary work that day in +the school; and on their way between the Palace of the Kings and The +Paddock, Jasper had the pleasure of giving Leucha a piece of his mind. +He did it with all his boyish wrath. + +'She asked to kiss you, and you _refused_. She wonders now on her +_deathbed_ whether you 'll _still_ refuse.' + +'Oh Jasper, have pity on me--have pity! I 'm in agony,' said Leucha; +but neither Jasper nor the Duke of Ardshiel had any pity to spare for +Leucha. She was, however, by order of the doctors, who remained to see +the effect, allowed to enter the spacious sickroom where Hollyhock was +lying. + +Hollyhock felt confused. She did not recognise her father or Jasper or +Aunt Cecilia, and she was not in the least put out by the great +doctors; but when Leucha entered, a quick and quieting change came over +her face. + +'Well, Leuchy, perhaps you'll kiss me _now_,' she muttered; and Leucha +knelt down by her bedside and kissed her softly, gently, tears pouring +from her eyes. + +'Oh Holly, Holly, I love you, I love you,' sobbed Leuchy; 'I love you!' + +'Gently, gently; that's enough, my lass,' said Sir Alexander. 'Don't +cry, or make a fuss, but sit softly by her, and if she asks for another +kiss, why, give it; but no tears, mind.' + +So Leucha, the hopelessly naughty one, was established in the sickroom. +Oh, how happy she felt again; how glad, how more than glad, that +Hollyhock should have called out to _her_ in her illness and trouble! + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +WHAT LOVE CAN DO. + +Why and wherefore the fever went down and the girl got better no one +could quite tell. Of course, it was supposed to be the work of Leucha, +and perhaps in a measure it was; for when a very warm heart longs for +one thing, and that thing is denied her by passion, ill-temper, and +spite, and then at the critical moment--the most critical moment of +all--is given to her, the effect cannot but be immense. It began by a +great soothing, a happy light in the troubled eyes, a smile round the +sweet, nobly formed lips, the words coming again and yet again, +'Leuchy, Leuchy, I have got you, after all!' + +In less than a week Hollyhock was quite out of danger. She recognised +her father; she recognised Jasper; she recognised dear Aunt Cecilia. +She was gentle and sweet to every one. Only once she asked in an +anxious tone, 'Leuchy, is my Lightning Speed all right?' + +'Oh yes, you may be sure of that,' replied Leucha. 'There never was a +horse so fussed over.' + +'Then I 'm happy,' whispered Hollyhock. 'Hold my hand, Leuchy.' +Leucha did so, and the sick girl dreamt happy dreams, during which her +fever quite departed. + +The doctors--for the Duke insisted on their coming constantly--said +that it was a strange and remarkable case of recovery by the power of +love. They looked with a puzzled expression at the object of that +love, but held their peace, for Leucha had done what none of them could +have achieved. + +Just before Christmas-time the Duke of Ardshiel insisted on having an +interview with Hollyhock. + +'Oh, my dear, my darling,' he said; and his old lips trembled and his +great, dark, magnificent eyes flashed with a very subdued and very +softened fire. 'Oh, my love, the Almighty has given you back to the +old man.' + +'Sit close to me, Ardshiel,' exclaimed Hollyhock, 'and hold my hand. I +love you so well, Ardshiel.' + +'I want you to do something for me, my Hollyhock, I have got your +father's consent and also the doctors' consent, and they say--the +doctors do--that a long, long rest will be best for you; so I have my +plans all formed. I want you to come, to come away to be company to +the old man for Christmas; and afterwards, when you are a bit stronger, +I mean to take you to the Riviera, where the sun shines all day and the +flowers bloom. Will you come with the old man, my dear?' + +'Oh Ardshiel, I would, I would; but listen, Ardshiel dear, and don't be +angry. I cannot leave Leuchy behind, for you know she saved my life, +no less.' + +'I 'll have her at the Castle, but I 'll not take her to the Riviera,' +said the Duke. 'You'll be strong enough, my bonnie lass, to be back at +the Palace of the Kings at Easter; but, to tell the honest truth, I +have no liking for the maid you call Leucha. However, she has done +good work for you, and I have a special locket and crest to give her. +I 'll take Jasmine to keep you company when we go to the Riviera, and +you 'll meet your friend again at Easter. Will you oblige a very old +man so far, my blessing?' + +'Oh Duke, oh Ardshiel, you are the blessedest and the best,' said +Hollyhock. 'How pleased Leuchy will be about the locket! And may I +tell her my own self? And may she really come to your castle with me?' + +'Yes, my bonnie one, she may. She 'll come with you as a sort of +nurse, I take it; and you may tell her what you like, Holly, for there +'s nought that I wouldn't do for you.' + +So Hollyhock was moved on Christmas Eve to Ardshiel's great castle, and +the Duke was nearly beside himself with delight. He was a little +sharp, however, with wee Leuchy, for he had managed to pick out all her +poor story by now, and had learned how Hollyhock had once frightened +and then nursed her, and he guessed by the look on her face that Leuchy +belonged to the unforgiving of the earth. + +Nevertheless, she had saved Hollyhock now, and he was bound to be good +to her for that reason. His nephew, the next heir to the title, was +staying at the Castle, and this Cameron had a son of his own, 'the +bonniest lad you could clap eyes on,' who would, all in good time, be +Duke and owner of great possessions. + +The old Duke twinkled his eyes when he saw Leucha making up to the +goodly youth; but he said no words, for he had other plans for his +grand-nephew--very different plans. As for young Cameron, he took such +a very violent dislike to poor Leucha on the spot that she soon ceased +to pay him attention. + +Lady Crossways, hearing of this delightful visit, had sent down a whole +boxful of gaudy and unsuitable clothes for Leucha; but Hollyhock, with +her true and rare eye for colour, would not let Leucha be so attired. +She spoke privately to the Duke. + +'Ardshiel,' she remarked, 'is your purse still wide open?' + +'For _you_, my lassie; for _you_.' + +'But I want it to be wide open for another,' said Holly. + +'Well, I must do as you wish, Hollyhock, my blessing. I suppose you +want me to'---- + +'Hark and I 'll tell you,' said Hollyhock, putting her pretty mouth to +the old man's ear. + +The result of that whisper was that two boxes of clothes arrived from +the most expensive dressmaker in London, and the old Duke, who had a +passion for dress and for good taste in all respects, presented the +contents of one box to his beloved Holly, and the contents of the other +to Leucha. + +'There, lass; there,' he said. 'Your mother won't mind your wearing a +present from the Duke of Ardshiel. Take them and wear them while you +are here. They were chosen by Holly, who has the best taste in the +whole country round.' + +Leucha forced herself to admire the rich, quiet clothing which the Duke +and Hollyhock had chosen for her, and wonderful was the change for the +better in her appearance. She had her own maid, too, while at the +Castle, who managed to make the most of her scanty locks. + +On the whole Leucha was not quite unhappy while at this noble mansion, +but neither was she quite happy. The Duke had a piercing eye, and when +it flashed on her she seemed to shrink into herself. + +Young Cameron, the next heir but one to the dukedom, endeavoured to be +polite to her, but found the task too much for him; whereas Hollyhock's +gay black eyes and more than merry peals of delight charmed the young +man's heart. + +Before long Hollyhock was strong enough to go out of doors; and then, +in a very few days, to her exquisite delight, she was permitted to ride +once again on Lightning Speed. Oh, the joy of mounting her beloved +horse! Oh, the joy of the meeting between that horse and his mistress! + +The Duke was, as he expressed it, in high feather. The young +Lennoxes--that is, the rest of them--and the young Constables were all +invited to spend many days at the Castle, until at last the Christmas +holidays passed by, and Leucha went back to school; and the Duke, the +Duke's nephew, that nephew's son, and dear, gentle Jasmine, as well as +Hollyhock, all went off on an expedition to the Riviera. There, at the +favoured spot called Beaulieu, the Duke had a villa--a most magnificent +place. Never, never had Hollyhock even dreamed of such splendour, such +sunshine, such joy. + +The two men walked about a good deal together. Young Cameron +accompanied Jasmine and Hollyhock wherever they went; but there was an +unmistakable look in his eyes when he glanced at Hollyhock--Hollyhock, +the maid so brave, so beautiful. The Duke read that secret in his eyes +and chuckled inwardly to himself; but Hollyhock was far too young to +notice it, and the wise old Duke kept his secret to himself. 'Time +enough,' he muttered; 'time in plenty; let them remain children yet for +many a long day. Oh, but my old heart feels young again when I look at +her. No wonder the rascal feels as he does, but time--_the_ time has +not come yet--"My love she's but a lassie yet." Why, here she is, her +very self, coming to meet me.' + +'Ardshiel,' exclaimed Hollyhock, 'may I walk with you a wee while? You +are such a dear old man, Ardshiel, and I like to feel the touch of your +hand on my shoulder. Oh, but I love you, Ardshiel.' + +'And what have you done with my grand-nephew and Jasmine?' asked the +old Duke. + +'I do not know,' replied Hollyhock. 'He's a bonnie lad, but I like you +the best of all, Duke of Ardshiel! I love my own people, and the +Precious Stones, and my schoolmates, and the English lass that saved my +life--you are not hurt, Ardshiel? for I cannot but love the English +lass--but of all men, except my Daddy Dumps, you come first, Ardshiel, +my darling man!' + + + + +THE END. + + + + + + +BOOKS BY L. T. MEADE. + + + GIRL OF HIGH ADVENTURE, A + LIGHT O' THE MORNING + MADGE MOSTYN'S NIECES + QUEEN OF JOY, THE + THE DAUGHTER OF A SOLDIER + BEVY OF GIRLS + REBEL OF THE SCHOOL + QUEEN ROSE + DUMPS: A PLAIN GIRL + THE SCHOOL QUEENS + BETTY VIVIAN + PRETTY GIRL AND THE OTHERS + GAY CHARMER + A SCHOOL FAVOURITE + A MODERN TOMBOY + BETTY: A SCHOOLGIRL + WILD KITTY + CHILDREN OF WILTON CHASE + FOUR ON AN ISLAND + PETER THE PILGRIM + DADDY'S GIRL + DARLING OF THE SCHOOL + PETRONELLA + HOLLYHOCK + COSEY CORNER + PRINCESS OF THE REVELS + SCAMP FAMILY + SUE + BUNCH OF COUSINS + PLAYMATES + LITTLE MARY + SQUIRE'S LITTLE GIRL + POOR MISS CAROLINA + DICKORY DOCK + + +W & R CHAMBERS, LIMITED, LONDON AND EDINBURGH. + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Hollyhock, by L. T. Meade + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOLLYHOCK *** + +***** This file should be named 28566-8.txt or 28566-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/5/6/28566/ + +Produced by Al Haines + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/28566-8.zip b/28566-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..13ccd69 --- /dev/null +++ b/28566-8.zip diff --git a/28566-h.zip b/28566-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1a25a09 --- /dev/null +++ b/28566-h.zip diff --git a/28566-h/28566-h.htm b/28566-h/28566-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7a8e312 --- /dev/null +++ b/28566-h/28566-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12567 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<HTML> +<HEAD> + +<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<TITLE> +The Project Gutenberg E-text of Hollyhock, by L. T. Meade +</TITLE> + +<STYLE TYPE="text/css"> +BODY { color: Black; + background: White; + margin-right: 10%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; + text-align: justify } + +P {text-indent: 4% } + +P.noindent {text-indent: 0% } + +P.poem {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-size: small } + +P.letter {text-indent: 0%; + font-size: small ; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + +P.salutation {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + +P.closing {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + +P.footnote {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 0% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +P.transnote {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 0% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +P.index {font-size: small ; + text-indent: -5% ; + margin-left: 5% ; + margin-top: 0% ; + margin-bottom: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +P.intro {font-size: medium ; + text-indent: -5% ; + margin-left: 5% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +P.dedication {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 15%; + text-align: justify } + +P.published {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 0% ; + margin-left: 15% } + +P.quote {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 4% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +P.report {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 4% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +P.report2 {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 4% ; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + +P.finis { font-size: larger ; + text-align: center ; + text-indent: 0% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +H3.h3left { margin-left: 0%; + margin-right: 1%; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: left ; + clear: left ; + text-align: center } + +H3.h3right { margin-left: 1%; + margin-right: 0 ; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: right ; + clear: right ; + text-align: center } + +H3.h3center { margin-left: 0; + margin-right: 0 ; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: none ; + clear: both ; + text-align: center } + +H4.h4left { margin-left: 0%; + margin-right: 1%; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: left ; + clear: left ; + text-align: center } + +H4.h4right { margin-left: 1%; + margin-right: 0 ; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: right ; + clear: right ; + text-align: center } + +H4.h4center { margin-left: 0; + margin-right: 0 ; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: none ; + clear: both ; + text-align: center } + +H5.h5left { margin-left: 0%; + margin-right: 1%; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: left ; + clear: left ; + text-align: center } + +H5.h5right { margin-left: 1%; + margin-right: 0 ; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: right ; + clear: right ; + text-align: center } + +H5.h5center { margin-left: 0; + margin-right: 0 ; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: none ; + clear: both ; + text-align: center } + +IMG.imgleft { float: left; + clear: left; + margin-left: 0; + margin-bottom: 0; + margin-top: 1%; + margin-right: 1%; + padding: 0; + text-align: center } + +IMG.imgright {float: right; + clear: right; + margin-left: 1%; + margin-bottom: 0; + margin-top: 1%; + margin-right: 0; + padding: 0; + text-align: center } + +IMG.imgcenter { margin-left: auto; + margin-bottom: 0; + margin-top: 1%; + margin-right: auto; } + +</STYLE> + +</HEAD> + +<BODY> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Hollyhock, by L. T. Meade + +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: Hollyhock + A Spirit of Mischief + +Author: L. T. Meade + +Illustrator: W. Rainey + +Release Date: April 12, 2009 [EBook #28566] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOLLYHOCK *** + + + + +Produced by Al Haines + + + + + +</pre> + + +<BR><BR> + +<A NAME="img-cover"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-cover.jpg" ALT="Cover art" BORDER="2" WIDTH="566" HEIGHT="656"> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="img-front"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-front.jpg" ALT="Sprang out over the awful chasm." BORDER="2" WIDTH="372" HEIGHT="596"> +<H4 CLASS="h4center" STYLE="width: 372px"> +Sprang out over the awful chasm. +</H4> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +HOLLYHOCK +</H1> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +A SPIRIT OF MISCHIEF +</H2> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +BY +</H3> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +L. T. MEADE +</H2> + +<BR> + +<H5 ALIGN="center"> +AUTHOR OF 'BEVY OF GIRLS,' 'REBEL OF THE SCHOOL,' ETC. +</H5> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +ILLUSTRATED +<BR> +by +<BR> +W. Rainey +</H4> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +LONDON: 38 Soho Square, W. +<BR> +W. & R. CHAMBERS, LIMITED +<BR> +EDINBURGH: 338 High Street +<BR> +1916 +</H3> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +CONTENTS. +</H2> + +<TABLE ALIGN="center" WIDTH="80%"> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">CHAPTER</TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> </TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">I. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap01">THE CHILDREN OF THE UPPER GLEN</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">II. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap02">AUNT AGNES</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">III. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap03">AUNT AGNES'S WAY</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap04">THE PALACE OF THE KINGS</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">V. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap05">THE EARLY BIRD</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap06">THE HEAD-MISTRESS</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap07">THE OPENING OF THE GREAT SCHOOL</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap08">HOLLYHOCK LEFT IN THE COLD</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap09">THE WOMAN WHO INTERFERED</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">X. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap10">A MISERABLE GIRL</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap11">SOFT AND LOW</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap12">UNDER PROTEST</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap13">THE SUMMER PARLOUR</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap14">THE FIRE THAT WILL NOT LIGHT</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap15">CREAM</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap16">THE GIRL WITH THE WAYWARD HEART</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap17">THE GREAT CONSPIRACY</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap18">LEUCHA'S TERROR</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap19">JASMINE'S RESOLVE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap20">MEG'S CONSCIENCE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap21">THERE IS NO WAY OUT</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap22">THE END OF LOVE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap23">THE GREAT CHARADE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap24">THE WARM HEART ROUSED AT LAST</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap25">THE FIRE SPIRITS</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXVI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap26">HOLLYHOCK'S DEED OF VALOUR</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXVII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap27">ARDSHIEL TO THE RESCUE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXVIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap28">WHAT LOVE CAN DO</A></TD> +</TR> + +</TABLE> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +ILLUSTRATIONS +</H2> + +<H4> +<A HREF="#img-front"> +Sprang out over the awful chasm . . . . . . <I>Frontispiece</I> +</A> +</H4> + +<H4> +<A HREF="#img-132"> +'It's here on moonlight nights that the ghost walks.' +</A> +</H4> + +<H4> +<A HREF="#img-148"> +The Conspiracy +</A> +</H4> + +<H4> +<A HREF="#img-284"> +The Rescue. +</A> +</H4> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap01"></A> + +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +Hollyhock, a Spirit of Mischief. +</H1> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER I. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE CHILDREN OF THE UPPER GLEN. +</H4> + +<P> +There was, of course, the Lower Glen, which consisted of boggy places +and endless mists in winter, and a small uninteresting village, where +the barest necessaries of life could be bought, and where the folks +were all of the humbler class, well-meaning, hard-working, but, alas! +poor of the poor. When all was said and done, the Lower Glen was a +poor place, meant for poor people. +</P> + +<P> +Very different was the Upper Glen. It was beyond doubt a most +beautiful region, and as Edinburgh and Glasgow were only some fifty +miles away, in these days of motor-cars it was easy to drive there for +the good things of life. The Glen was sheltered from the worst storms +by vast mountains, and was in itself both broad and flat, with a great +inrush of fresh air, a mighty river, and three lakes of various sizes. +So beautiful was it, so delightful were its soft and yet at times keen +breezes, that it might have been called 'The Home of Health.' But no +one thought of giving the Glen this title, for the simple reason that +no one thought of health in the Glen; every one was enjoying that +blessed privilege to the utmost. +</P> + +<P> +At the time when this story opens, two families lived in the Upper +Glen. There was a widowed lady, Mrs Constable, who resided at a lovely +home called The Paddock; and there was her brother, a widower, who +lived in a house equally beautiful, named The Garden. +</P> + +<P> +The Hon. George Lennox had five young daughters, whom he called not by +their baptismal names, but by flower names. Mrs Constable, again, +called her five boys after precious stones. +</P> + +<P> +The names of the girls were Jasmine, otherwise Lucy; Gentian, otherwise +Margaret; Hollyhock, whose baptismal name was Jacqueline; Rose of the +Garden, who was really Rose; and Delphinium, whose real name was +Dorothy. +</P> + +<P> +The boys, sons of gentle Mrs Constable, were Jasper, otherwise John; +Sapphire, whose real name was Robert; Garnet, baptised Wallace; Opal, +whose name was Andrew; and Emerald, christened Ronald. +</P> + +<P> +These happy children scarcely ever heard their baptismal names. The +flower names and the precious stones names clung to them until the day +when pretty Jasmine and manly Jasper were fifteen years of age. On +that day there came a very great change in the lives of the Flower +Girls and the Precious Stones. On that very day their real story +began. They little guessed it, for few of us do believe in sudden +changes in a very peaceful—perhaps too peaceful—life. +</P> + +<P> +Nevertheless, a very great change was at hand, and the news which +heralded that tremendous change reached them on the evening of the +birthday of Jasmine and Jasper. It was the custom of these two most +united families to spend their evenings together—one evening at The +Garden, the Flower Girls' home, and the next at The Paddock, Mrs +Constable's house. On this special occasion the Flower Girls went with +their father to The Paddock, and thus avoided receiving until late in +the evening the all-important letter which was to alter their lives +completely. +</P> + +<P> +George Lennox, whose dead wife had been a Cameron—a near relative of +the head of the great house of Ardshiel—bade his sister a most +affectionate good-night, and returned to The Garden with his five +bonnie lassies. They had passed a delightful evening together, and on +account of the double birthday Lennox and Mrs Constable had made up a +most charming little play, in which the Flower Girls and the Precious +Stones took part. Ever true and kind of heart, they had invited from +the Glen a number of children, and also their parents, to witness the +performance. The play had given untold delight, and the guests from +the Lower Glen finished the evening's entertainment with a splendid +supper, ending with the well-known and beloved song of 'Auld Lang Syne.' +</P> + +<P> +Mr Lennox and Mrs Constable taught their girls and boys without any aid +from outside. All ten children were smart; indeed, it would be +difficult to find better-educated young people for their ages. But Mrs +Constable knew only too well that whatever the future held in store for +her brother's Flower Girls, she must very soon part, one by one, with +her splendid boys; for was not this the express wish of her beloved +soldier-husband, Major Constable, who had died on the field of battle +in Africa, and who had put away a certain sum of money which was to be +spent, when the time came, on the children's education? He himself was +an old Eton boy, and he wanted his young sons to go to that famous +school if at all possible. But before any of the Precious Stones could +enter Eton, he must pass at least a year at a preparatory school, and +it was the thought of this coming separation that made the sweet gray +eyes of the widow fill often with sudden tears. To part with any of +her treasures was torture to her. However, we none of us know what +lies in store for us, and nothing was farther from the hearts of the +children and their parents than the thought of change on this glorious +night of mid-June. +</P> + +<P> +The moment Mr Lennox and his five girls entered the great hall, which +was so marked a feature of the beautiful Garden, they saw a letter, +addressed to The Hon. George Lennox, lying on a table not far from the +ingle-nook. Mr Lennox's first impulse was to put the letter aside, but +all the little girls clustered round him and begged of him to open it +at once. They all gathered round him as they spoke, and being +exceeding fond of his daughters, he could not resist their appeal. +After all, the unexpected letter might mean less than nothing. In any +case, it must be read sometime. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, Daddy Dumps, do—<I>do</I> read the letter!' cried Hollyhock, the +handsomest and most daring of the girls. 'We 're just mad to hear what +the braw laddie says. Open the letter, daddy mine, and set our minds +at rest.' +</P> + +<P> +'The letter may not be written by any laddie, Hollyhock,' said her +father in his gentle, exceedingly dignified way. +</P> + +<P> +'If it's from a woman, we'd best burn it,' said Hollyhock, who had a +holy contempt for members of her own sex. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh! but fie, prickly Holly,' said her father. 'You know that I allow +no lady to be spoken against in my house.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, read the letter, daddy—read it!' exclaimed Jasmine. 'We want, +anyhow, to know what it contains.' +</P> + +<P> +'I seem to recall the writing,' said Lennox, as he seated himself in an +easy-chair. 'You <I>will</I> have it, my dears,' he continued; 'but you may +not like it after I have read it. However, here goes!' +</P> + +<P> +The children gathered round their father, who slowly and carefully +unfolded the sheet of paper and read as follows: +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +'MY DEAR GEORGE,—It is my intention to arrive at the Garden to-morrow, +and I hope, as your dear wife's half-sister, to get a hearty welcome. +I have a great scheme in my head, which I am certain you will approve +of, and which will be exceedingly good for your funny little +daughters'—— +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +'I do not like that,' interrupted Hollyhock. 'I am not a funny little +daughter.' +</P> + +<P> +'Dearest,' said her father, kissing her between her black brows, 'we +must forgive Aunt Agnes. She doesn't know us, you see.' +</P> + +<P> +'No; and we don't want to know her,' said Jasmine. 'We are very happy +as we are. We are desperately happy; aren't we, Rose; aren't we, +Delphy?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, of course, of course,' echoed their father; 'but all the same, +children, your aunt must come. She is, remember, your dear mother's +sister.' +</P> + +<P> +'Did you ever meet her, daddy?' asked Jasmine. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, years ago, when Delphy was a baby.' +</P> + +<P> +'What was she like, daddy?' +</P> + +<P> +'She wasn't like any of you, my precious Flowers.' +</P> + +<P> +The five little girls gave a profound sigh. +</P> + +<P> +'Will she stay long, daddy?' asked Gentian. +</P> + +<P> +'I sincerely trust not,' said the Honourable George Lennox. +</P> + +<P> +'Then <I>that's</I> all right. We don't mind <I>very</I> much now,' said +Hollyhock; and she began to dance wildly about the room. +</P> + +<P> +'You will have to behave, Hollyhock,' said her father with a smile. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock drew herself up to her full height; her black eyes gleamed +and glowed; her lips parted in a funny, yet naughty, smile. Her hair +seemed so full of electricity that it stood out in wonderful rays all +over her head. +</P> + +<P> +'And why should I behave well <I>now</I>, daddy mine?' she asked. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, because of Aunt Agnes.' +</P> + +<P> +'Catch me,' said Hollyhock.—'Who is with me in this matter, girls? +Are you, Delphy? Are you, Jasmine? Are you, Gentian? Are you, Rose +of the Garden?' +</P> + +<P> +'We 're every one of us with you,' exclaimed Jasmine, snuggling up to +her father as she spoke. 'Daddy,' she continued, 'I want to ask you a +question. Even if it hurts you, I must ask it. Was our own, <I>ownest</I> +mother the least like Aunt Agnes?' +</P> + +<P> +'As the east is from the west, so were those two sisters apart,' he +said. +</P> + +<P> +'Then <I>that's</I> all right,' said Hollyhock. 'I'm happy now. I couldn't +have endured being rude to a woman who was like my mother, but as it +is'—— +</P> + +<P> +'You mustn't be rude to her, Hollyhock.' +</P> + +<P> +'We 'll see,' said Hollyhock. 'Leave her to me. I think I'll manage +her. Perhaps she's a good old sort—there's no saying. But she and +her <I>scheme</I>—daring to come and disturb us and <I>our</I> scheme! I like +that—I really do. Good-night, dad; I'm off to bed. I 've had a very +happy day, and I suppose happy days end. Anyway, old darling, we'll +always have you on our side, sha'n't we?' +</P> + +<P> +'That you will, my darlings,' said Lennox. +</P> + +<P> +'What fun it will be to talk to the Precious Stones about Aunt Agnes!' +said Hollyhock. 'Flowers are soft things; at least <I>some</I> flowers are. +But stones! they can <I>strike</I>—and ours are so big and so strong.' +</P> + +<P> +'Whatever happens, girls,' said their father, 'we must be polite to +your step-aunt, Agnes Delacour.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, she's only a "step," poor thing,' said Hollyhock. 'No wonder they +were as the east is from the west. Now good-night, daddy. Don't fret. +I wish with all my heart we could go back to the Precious Stones +to-night and prepare them for battle. They ought to be prepared, +oughtn't they?' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, you can't go to see them to-night, Hollyhock; and to-morrow, +early, we shall be very busy getting the room ready for Aunt Agnes, for +she <I>is</I> my half-sister-in-law, and she did her best to bring up your +dearest mother. But I may as well say a few words to you, dear girls, +before we part for the night.' +</P> + +<P> +'What is that, dad?' asked Gentian. +</P> + +<P> +'I wonder whether you remember what your real names are.' +</P> + +<P> +'The names that were given us at the font?' said Jasmine. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes; your baptismal names—your real names.' +</P> + +<P> +'I 'll say them off fast enough,' said Jasmine. 'There's Jasmine, +that's me; there 's Gentian, meaning the little gray-eyed girl in the +corner; there's Rose, who always will be and can be nothing but Rose; +there's Hollyhock; there's Delphinium. Delphinium is hard to say, but +Delphy is quite easy.' +</P> + +<P> +'And I suppose you think,' said their father in his half-humorous, +half-serious voice, 'that you were really baptised by those names?' +</P> + +<P> +'Why, of course, Dumpy Dad!' cried Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, I must undeceive you, my dear Flower Girls. Your mother and I +took a notion to have you baptised by certain names and called by +others. Jasmine is really Lucy; Gentian is Margaret; Hollyhock, your +real name is Jacqueline; Rose of the Garden is, however, <I>really</I> Rose; +and Delphinium was baptised Dorothy.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, that is wonderful!' exclaimed Hollyhock. 'I must write down the +names before they escape my memory. Give me a bit of paper and a +pencil, Daddy Dumps, that I may write down at once our true church +names.' +</P> + +<P> +'Here you are, Hollyhock,' said Lennox; 'and do not forget that in the +eyes of your step-aunt you are five little girls, not flowers.' +</P> + +<P> +'In the eyes of the old horror,' whispered Hollyhock, who felt much +excited at the change in the names. +</P> + +<P> +'I wonder now,' said Gentian when Hollyhock's task was finished, and +she passed her scribble to her father to see—'I wonder whether there +is a similar mistake in the names of our cousins—or <I>brothers</I>, as +they really are to us.' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, they are like brothers to you, my dears; and your aunt Cecilia +was so taken by the notion of the flower names for you that she must +needs copy my wife and me, and so it happens that Jasper is really +John, Sapphire is Robert, Garnet is Wallace, called after his gallant +father, Major Constable'—— +</P> + +<P> +'"Scots wha hae wi' Wallace bled,"' sang Hollyhock in her rich, clear +voice. 'Aweel, I love him better than ever, the bonnie lad with his +black eyes.' +</P> + +<P> +'Children,' said Lennox, 'it is high time for you all to go to bed. We +must get through the boys' names as fast as possible. Opal's real name +is Andrew.' +</P> + +<P> +'Poor lad,' continued Hollyhock, 'fit servant to Wallace.' +</P> + +<P> +'And,' added Mr Lennox, 'Emerald's baptismal name is Ronald. That is +all—five Flower Girls, five Precious Stones, first cousins and the +best of friends, even as sisters and brothers. But my Flower Girls +must be off to bed without a single moment's further delay. +Good-night.' +</P> + +<P> +'"Scots wha hae,"' sang Hollyhock, as she danced lightly up the stairs +of the big house. 'I guess, Flowers, that we are about to have a right +<I>grand</I> time.' +</P> + +<P> +'Never mind that now,' said Jasmine. 'Whatever happens, the Precious +Stones will help us.' +</P> + +<P> +'That's true,' cried Hollyhock. 'Talk to me of fear! I fear nought, +nor nobody. The lads, I'm thinking, will be coming to <I>me</I> to help +them, if there's fear walking around.' +</P> + +<P> +She looked so bold and bright and daring as she spoke that the other +Flower Girls believed her at that moment. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap02"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER II. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +AUNT AGNES DELACOUR +</H4> + +<P> +Miss Delacour was an elderly woman with somewhat coarse gray hair. She +was not old, but elderly. She had a very broad figure, plump and +well-proportioned. Miss Delacour thought little about so trivial a +thing as fashion, or mere dress in any shape or form. She was fond of +saying that she was as the Almighty made her, and that clothes were +nothing but a snare of the flesh. +</P> + +<P> +Agnes Delacour was exceedingly well off, but she lived in a very small +house in Chelsea, and gave of her abundance to those whom she called +'the Lord's poor.' Her charities were many and wide-spread, and on +that account she was highly esteemed by numbers of people, either very +poor or struggling, in that upper class which needs help so much, and +gets it so little. To these people Agnes Delacour gave freely, saving +many young people from utter ruin by her timely aid, and drawing down +on her devoted head the blessings of their fathers and mothers, who +spoke of her as one of the Lord's saints. Nevertheless those who knew +Miss Delacour really well did <I>not</I> love her. She was too cold, too +masterful, for their taste, and these folks would rather live in great +difficulties than accept her bounty. +</P> + +<P> +After the death of her young half-sister, Lucy Cameron, who had +married, against Miss Delacour's desire, the Hon. George Lennox, Miss +Delacour took no notice whatsoever of the five sweet little daughters +her half-sister had brought into the world. Miss Delacour left the +broken-hearted widower and his little girls to their sorrow, not even +answering the letters which for a short time the children, by their +father's desire, wrote to their mother's half-sister, so that +by-and-by, as they grew older, most of them forgot that they had an +aunt Agnes. Lucy Lennox was as unlike her half-sister as it was +possible for two sisters to be. In the first place, Agnes, compared +with Lucy, was old, being many years her senior; in the second, Agnes +was singularly plain, whereas Lucy was very lovely. She was far more +than lovely; she was endowed with a wonderful charm which drew the +hearts of all people, men and women alike, who saw her. Her beautiful +dark eyes, her rosy cheeks, with their rare dimples, her gay laughter, +her glorious voice in singing, her pretty way of talking French, almost +like one born to the graceful tongue, the way she devoted herself to +her husband first, next to her sweet girls, the whole appearance of her +radiant face, and her conduct on each and every occasion, made her a +favourite with all who knew her. +</P> + +<P> +Alas! she was gone; for Lucy Lennox was one of those not destined to +live long in this world. She died just after the birth of her youngest +child, and Lennox felt that now his one duty was to do all in his power +for the precious Flowers she had left behind her. +</P> + +<P> +There were three great and spacious houses in the Upper Glen. One, we +have seen, was occupied by Mr Lennox, one by his sister, Mrs Constable; +but between The Paddock and The Garden was a house so large, so +magnificent, so richly dowered with all the beauties of nature, that it +more nearly resembled a palace than an ordinary house. This great +mansion belonged to the Duke of Ardshiel, and was called the Palace of +the Kings, for the simple reason that its noble owner was looked upon +as a king in those parts. Further, King James the First of England and +Sixth of Scotland had passed some time there, and 'Bonnie Prince +Charlie' had taken refuge at Ardshiel in the time of his wanderings. +The great castle belonged to the Duke, who had many other places of +residence, but who had never gone near the Palace of the Kings since a +terrible tragedy took place there, about twenty years before the +opening of this story. +</P> + +<P> +A kinswoman and ward of Ardshiel's, a charming girl of the name of +Viola Cameron, had fallen madly in love with a gallant member of the +great clan of Douglas, and the Duke somewhat unwillingly gave his +consent to the marriage on condition that Lord Alasdair Douglas should +add Cameron to his own name. Lord Alasdair agreed, for great was his +love for Viola Cameron. The Duke was now well pleased. He could not +but see what a fine fellow Lord Alasdair was, and accordingly he gave +the Palace of the Kings to the young pair, and had the whole house and +grounds put into perfect order, all at his own expense. The fair young +Viola Cameron and the brave Lord Alasdair were to be married on a +certain day early in December. All went merry as a marriage bell. +But, alas! tragedy was at the door, and early on the wedding morn Lord +Alasdair was found cold and dead in the deep lake which formed such a +feature of the property. How he died no one could tell; but die he did +with life so fair and bright before him, and the girl he loved putting +on her wedding clothes for the happy ceremony. There was no apparent +reason for his death, for he passionately loved the Lady Viola, and was +willing to give up his own proud name for her dear sake. +</P> + +<P> +Viola Cameron mourned frantically for her lover for some time, and +refused to go near the Palace of the Kings; but after a time she +returned to London society, and eventually married a rich manufacturer, +nearly double her age and far beneath her in station. +</P> + +<P> +The Duke, who, on her marriage with Lord Alasdair, was about to settle +a fortune upon her, now abandoned all such intentions, and Ardshiel +became his once more. Nor would he ever again allow himself to speak +of or talk to the Lady Viola. She was now beneath his notice. +</P> + +<P> +The Lady Viola passes completely out of this story. The Palace of the +Kings had lain empty and deserted for over twenty long years, and Miss +Delacour knew this fact and intended to act accordingly. After making +full inquiries she paid the old Duke a visit, taking with her a certain +Mrs Macintyre. Mrs Macintyre was one of those women whom all men +respect, if they do not love. She had lost both husband and children. +She was of high birth and equally good education. She was now, +however, in sore want, and Miss Delacour thought she saw a way of +helping her and also adding to the lustre of her own name as a great +philanthropist. Miss Delacour did most of the talking, and Mrs +Macintyre all the sad, gentle smiles. In short, they won over the old +Duke, and Miss Delacour arranged that she should call upon Lucy's +husband in order to propound her scheme. +</P> + +<P> +The little girls and the boys had time to meet before Miss Delacour's +arrival. Although that lady was well off, she would not take a +motor-car from Edinburgh to the Upper Glen. She believed that her +brother-in-law had a motor-car, and thought it the height of +selfishness on his part that he did not send it to town to meet her. +But she had her pride, as she expressed it, and in consequence did not +arrive at The Garden till about four o'clock in the day, having given +the young Constables and the young Lennoxes time to have a very eager +chat together, whilst Mrs Constable and Lennox himself had a serious +conversation, in which they unanimously expressed the wish that Agnes +Delacour would take her departure as soon as possible. +</P> + +<P> +Miss Delacour arrived on the scene in a very bad temper. She was met +by Lennox with his beautiful smile and courtly manner. He welcomed her +kindly, and gave her his arm to enter the great central hall. Miss +Delacour sniffed as she went in. She sniffed more audibly as her +small, closely set brown eyes encountered the fixed gaze of five little +girls, who, to judge from their manners, were all antagonistic to her. +</P> + +<P> +'Come and speak to your aunt, my dears,' she said.—'George,' she +continued, 'I should be glad of some tea.' +</P> + +<P> +'It isn't time for tea yet,' said Hollyhock, but I 'll amuse you. +Would you like to see a girl somersaulting up and down the hall? It's +a <I>grand</I> place for that sort of exercise, and I can teach you if you +like. You <I>are</I> a bit old, but I've seen older. You just have to let +yourself go—spread yourself, so to speak—put your hands on the floor +and then over you go, over and over. Oh, it's <I>grand</I> sport; we often +do it.' +</P> + +<P> +'Then you might do better,' said Miss Delacour, speaking in a very +stern voice. 'I haven't quite caught your name, child, but you have +evidently not learned respect for your elders.' +</P> + +<P> +'My name is Hollyhock. I 'm a Scots lass frae the heather. Eh, but +there's no air like the air o' the heather! Did you ever get a bit of +it, all white? Yes, <I>there's</I> luck for you.' +</P> + +<P> +'Do you mean seriously to tell me, George,' said Miss Delacour, 'that +you have called that child Hollyhock—that impertinent, rude child, +Hollyhock?' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, yes, he has, bless his heart!' said Hollyhock, going up to her +father and fondling his head. 'Isn't he a bit of a sort of a thing +that you 'd love? Eh, but he's a <I>grand</I> man. He isn't afflicted with +bad looks, Aunt Agnes.' +</P> + +<P> +'Send that child out of the room, George,' said Aunt Agnes. +</P> + +<P> +'I refuse to stir,' was Hollyhock's response. +</P> + +<P> +'George, is it true that you have insulted my dead sister's memory by +calling one of her offspring by such an awful name as Hollyhock?' +</P> + +<P> +'I have not insulted my wife's memory, Agnes. I took a fancy to call +my little girls after flowers. This is Jasmine—real name Lucy, after +my lost darling. This is Gentian—real name Margaret. This is +Rose—also Rose of the Garden, queen of all flowers. Hollyhock's +baptismal name is Jacqueline; and Delphinium, my youngest'—his voice +shook a little—'is Dorothy.' +</P> + +<P> +'The one for whom your wife laid down her life,' said Miss Delacour. +'Well, to be sure, I always knew that men were bad, but I did <I>not</I> +think they were fools as well.—Understand, you five girls, that while +I am here—and I shall probably stay for a long time—you will be Lucy, +Margaret, Jacqueline, Rose, and Dorothy to me. I don't care what your +silly father calls you.' +</P> + +<P> +'He's not silly,' said Hollyhock. 'He's the best of old ducksy dumps; +and if you don't want to learn somersaulting, perhaps you 'd like a +hand-to-hand fight. <I>I'm</I> quite ready;' and Hollyhock stamped up to +the good lady with clenched fists and angry, black eyes. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, preserve me from this little terror of a girl!' said Miss +Delacour. 'I perceive that the Divine Providence has sent me here just +in time.' +</P> + +<P> +'You haven't met the <I>Precious Stones</I> yet,' said Hollyhock. 'Flowers +are a bit soft, except roses, which have thorns; but when you meet +Jasper and Sapphire and Garnet and Opal and Emerald, I can tell you you +'ll have to mind your p's and q's. <I>They</I> won't stand any nonsense; +they won't endure any silly speeches, but they 'll just go for you +hammer and tongs. They 're boys, every one of them—and—and—we 're +expecting them any minute.' +</P> + +<P> +'Jacqueline, you must behave yourself,' said her father. 'You 're +trying your aunt very much indeed.—Jasmine, or, rather, my sweet Lucy, +will you take your aunt to her bedroom, and order the tea to be got +ready a little earlier than usual in the hall to-day?' +</P> + +<P> +Jasmine, otherwise Lucy, obeyed her father's command at a glance, and +the old lady and the young girl went up the low broad stairs side by +side. Miss Delacour gasped once or twice. +</P> + +<P> +'What a terrible creature your sister is!' she remarked. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh no, she's not really; she only wants her bit of fun.' +</P> + +<P> +'But to be rude to an elderly lady!' continued Miss Delacour. +</P> + +<P> +'She did not mean it for rudeness. She just wanted you to enjoy +yourself. You see, we are accustomed to a great deal of freedom, and +there <I>never</I> was a man like daddy, and we are so happy with him.' +</P> + +<P> +'Lucy—your name is Lucy, isn't it?' +</P> + +<P> +'I am called Jasmine, but my name is Lucy,' said the girl, with a sigh. +</P> + +<P> +'That was your mother's name,' continued Miss Agnes. 'You remind me of +her a little, without having her great beauty. You are a plain child, +Lucy, but you ought to be thankful, seeing that such is the will of the +Almighty.' +</P> + +<P> +'Jasper says I am exceedingly handsome,' replied Lucy. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, that awful boy! What a man your father must be to allow such +talk!' +</P> + +<P> +'Please, please, auntie, don't speak against him. He's an angel, if +ever there was one. I want to make you happy, auntie; but if you speak +against father, I greatly fear I can't. Please, for the sake of my +mother, be nice to father.' +</P> + +<P> +'I mean to be nice to every one, child. I have come here for the +purpose. You certainly have a look of your mother. You have got her +eyes, for instance.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh yes, her eyes and her chin and the roses in the cheeks,' said +Jasmine. 'Father calls me the comfort of his life. No one ever, ever +said I was ugly before, Aunt Agnes.' +</P> + +<P> +'I perceive that you are an exceedingly vain little girl; but that will +be soon knocked out of you.' +</P> + +<P> +'How?' asked Jasmine. +</P> + +<P> +'When my dear friend, Mrs Macintyre, starts her noble school.' +</P> + +<P> +'School!' said Jasmine, turning a little pale. 'But father says he +will never allow any of us to go to school.' +</P> + +<P> +'He will do what <I>I</I> wish in this matter. Dear, dear, what a dreary +room, so large, and only half-furnished! No wonder poor Lucy died +here. She was a timid little thing. She probably died in the very bed +that you are putting me into—so thoughtless—so unkind.' +</P> + +<P> +'It isn't thoughtless or unkind, Aunt Agnes, for father sleeps in the +bed where mother died, and in the room where she died. But now I hear +the boys all arriving. The water in this jug is nice and hot, and here +are fresh towels, and Magsie'—— +</P> + +<P> +'Who is Magsie?' +</P> + +<P> +'She's a maid; if you ring that bell just there, she 'll come to you, +and unpack your trunks. By the way, what a lot of trunks you have +brought, Aunt Agnes! I thought you were only coming for a couple of +days.' +</P> + +<P> +'Polite, I must say,' remarked Miss Delacour. +</P> + +<P> +'We all thought it,' remarked Jasmine, 'for, you see, you would not +come to darling mother's funeral—that <I>did</I> hurt father so awfully.' +</P> + +<P> +'I could not get away. I was helping the sick. It was a case of +cataract,' said Miss Delacour. 'I had to hold her hand while the +operation went on, otherwise she might have been blind for life. Would +you take away a living, breathing person's sight because of senseless +clay?' +</P> + +<P> +Jasmine marched out of the room. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap03"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER III. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +AUNT AGNES'S WAY. +</H4> + +<P> +If there was a person with a determined will, with a heart set upon +certain actions which must and <I>should</I> be carried out, that was the +elderly lady known as Agnes Delacour. She never went back on her word. +She never relaxed in her charities. She herself lived in a small house +in Chelsea, and, being a rich woman, could thereby spend large sums on +the poor and the needy. She was a wise woman in her generation, and +never gave help when help was not needed. No begging letters appealed +to her, no pretended woes took her in; but the real sufferers in life! +these she attended to, these she helped, these she comforted. Her +universal plan was to get the sorrowful and the poor in a very great +measure to help themselves. She had no idea of encouraging what she +called idleness. Thrift was her motto. If a person needed money, that +person must work for it. Agnes would help her to work, but she +certainly would not have anything whatsoever to do with those whom she +called the <I>wasters</I> of life. +</P> + +<P> +In consequence, Agnes Delacour did a vast amount of good. She never by +any chance gave injudiciously. Her present protégée was Mrs Macintyre. +Mrs Macintyre was the sort of woman to whom the heart of Agnes Delacour +went out in a great wave of pity. In the first place, she was Scots, +and Miss Delacour loved the Scots. In the next place, she was very +proud, and would not eat the bread of charity. Mrs Macintyre was a +highly educated woman. She had lost both husband and children, and was +therefore stranded on the shores of life. There was little or no hope +for her, unless her friend Agnes took her up. Now, therefore, was the +time for Agnes Delacour to attack that strange being, her +brother-in-law, whom she had neglected so long. +</P> + +<P> +She hardly knew his sister, Cecilia Constable, but she meant to become +acquainted with her soon, to plead for her help, and in so great a +cause to overlook the fact that this brother and this sister were a +pair of faddists. Faddists they should not remain long, if <I>she</I> could +help it. She, Agnes Delacour, strong-minded and determined, would see +to that. The children of this most silly pair required education. Who +more suitable for the purpose than gentle, kind, clever Mrs Macintyre? +If George Lennox paid down the rent for Ardshiel, or, in other words, +for the Palace of the Kings, and if Mrs Constable put down five hundred +pounds for the redecorating of the grounds, and if the great Duke +allowed them to keep the old, magnificent furniture, which had lain +unused within those walls for over twenty years—and this he had +practically promised to do, drawn thereto by Mrs Macintyre's sweet, +pathetic smile and face—why, the deed was done, and she, Agnes, the +noble and generous, need only add a few extra hundred pounds for the +purchase of beds and school furniture. Thus the greatest school in the +whole of Scotland would be opened under wonderfully noble auspices. +Yes, all was going well, and the good woman felt better than pleased. +Her great fame would spread wider and faster than ever. She lived to +do good; she was doing good—good on a very considerable +scale—supported by the highest nobility in the land. +</P> + +<P> +Miss Delacour was not quite sure whether the school should be a mixed +school or not. She waited for circumstances to settle that point. +Mixed schools were becoming the fashion, and to a certain extent she +approved of them; but she would not give her vote in that direction +until she had a talk with her brother-in-law, and with Mrs Constable. +Ardshiel was within easy reach of Edinburgh and Glasgow, but Miss +Delacour made up her mind that the school, when established, should be +a boarding-school. The very most she would permit would be the return +of the children who lived within a convenient distance to their homes +for week-end visits. But on that point also she was by no means sure. +Providence must decide, she said softly to herself. She came, +therefore, to The Garden determined to leave the matter, as she said, +to Providence; whereas, in reality, she left it to George Lennox and +his sister, Mrs Constable. +</P> + +<P> +At any cost these people must do their parts. Be they faddists, or be +they not, their children must be saved. Could there in all the world +be a more horrible girl than Hollyhock—or, as her real name was, +Jacqueline? Even Lucy (always called Jasmine) was an impertinent +little thing; but what <I>could</I> you expect from such a man as George +Lennox? +</P> + +<P> +Miss Delacour was, however, the sort of person who held her soul in +great patience. After Jasmine had left her she stood and looked out of +the window, observed the lake on which those silly little girls were +rowing, noticed those absurd boys who were called after precious +stones, forsooth! and made up her mind to be pleasant with Cecilia and +her family, and to say nothing of her designs to her brother-in-law +until the children had gone to bed. She presumed at least that they +went to bed early. A little creature like Dorothy ought to be in her +warm nest not later than half-past seven. Lucy and Margaret might be +permitted to sit up till nine. Afterwards she, Miss Delacour, could +have a good talk with George Lennox. She invariably spoke of him as +George Lennox, ignoring the Honourable, for she had no respect for the +semblance of a title. +</P> + +<P> +By opening her window very wide, she was able to get a distant glimpse +of the much-neglected Palace. She observed, with approval, the vast +size of the house, the abundance of trees, the glass-houses, the +hothouses, the remains of ancient splendour. Then she looked at the +lake, which shone and gleamed in all its summer glory; but she turned +her thoughts from the sad history of that lake. She was not a woman to +romance over things. She was a woman to go straight forward in a +matter-of-fact, downright fashion. +</P> + +<P> +Happening to meet one of the girls at an hour between tea and dinner, +she inquired at what time their father dined. +</P> + +<P> +'We all dine at half-past seven,' replied Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'You <I>all</I> dine at half-past seven? How old are you, Jacqueline?' +</P> + +<P> +'Nearly thirteen, Auntie Agnes,' replied the girl, tossing her black +mane of lovely, thick hair. +</P> + +<P> +'And do you mean to tell me that little Dorothy, who cannot be more +than eight or nine years old, takes her last heavy meal at half-past +seven in the evening? Such folly is really past believing.' +</P> + +<P> +'Auntie, you must believe it, for wee Delphy always dines with the rest +of us. And why shouldn't she?' +</P> + +<P> +'Now, my dear child, as to your father's strange conduct, it is not my +place to speak of it before his unhappy and ill-bred child, but I have +one request to make. It is this—that you do not again in my presence +call your sister by that sickening name.' +</P> + +<P> +'But, auntie, <I>we</I> think it a very lovely name. We like our flower +names so much. Auntie, I do wish that you'd go. We were so happy +without you, auntie. Do go and leave us in peace.' +</P> + +<P> +'You certainly are the most impertinent little girl I ever met in my +life; but times, thank the good God, are changing.' +</P> + +<P> +'Are they? How, may I ask?' inquired Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'That I am not going to tell you quite yet, but changing they are.' +</P> + +<P> +'And I say they are <I>not</I>,' repeated Hollyhock with great zeal. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh! what a bad, wicked little girl you are! What an awful trial to my +poor brother-in-law!' +</P> + +<P> +'And I say I 'm not. I say that I 'm the joy of his life, the poor +dear! Auntie, you 'd best not try me too far.' +</P> + +<P> +'May God grant me patience,' muttered Miss Delacour under her breath. +</P> + +<P> +She went upstairs to the room where her sister had not died, and made +up her mind that as, of course, this wild family would not know +anything whatsoever of dressing for dinner, she need not trouble to +change her clothes. That being the case, she need not ring for the +objectionable young person called Magsie. 'Such a name for a maid!' +thought Miss Delacour. 'I'll just wear my old brown dress; it will +save the dresses which I have to keep for proper occasions in London. +Dear, dear, what an <I>awful</I> house this is!' +</P> + +<P> +She sank into a chair, saying to herself how much, how very much, Mrs +Macintyre would have to thank her for by-and-by! She looked at the +watch she wore in a leather wristlet, and decided that she might rest +for at least a quarter of an hour. She was really tired as well as +appalled at the state of things at The Garden. Presently, however, +seated in her easy-chair—and a very easy and comfortable chair it +was—she observed that all her trunks had been unpacked; not only +unpacked, but removed bodily from the large apartment. She felt a +sense of anger. That girl, Magsie, had taken a liberty in unpacking +her trunks. She should not have done so without asking permission. It +is true that she herself had left the keys of the said trunks on her +dressing-table, for most maids did unpack for her, but that was no +excuse for such a creature as Magsie. +</P> + +<P> +Just then there came a tap at her door. She was beginning to feel +drowsy and comfortable, and said, in a cross voice, for she preened +herself on her French, '<I>Entrez!</I>' +</P> + +<P> +Magsie had never heard '<I>Entrez</I>' before, but concluded that it was the +strange woman's way of saying, 'Come in.' She accordingly entered, +carrying a large brass can of boiling water. +</P> + +<P> +'It has come to the bile, miss,' remarked Magsie, as she entered the +room, 'but ye can cool it down wi' cold water.' +</P> + +<P> +'Thank you. You can leave it,' said Miss Delacour. +</P> + +<P> +'What dress would ye be likin' to array yerself in?' asked Magsie. +</P> + +<P> +'I'm not going to dress for dinner.' +</P> + +<P> +'Not goin' to dress for dinner! But the master, he dresses like most +people i' the evenin', and the young leddies and gentlemen and Mrs +Constable, they sit down at the table—ah, weel! as them as is +accustomed to respec' their station in life. I was thinkin', miss, +that your purple gown, which I have put away in the big cupboard, might +do for to-night. Ye 're a well-formed woman, miss—out in the back, +out in the front—and I jalouse all your bones are covered. It 'll +look queer your not dressin'—more particular when every one else does.' +</P> + +<P> +'I never heard of anything quite so ridiculous,' said Miss Delacour; +'but as those silly children are going to dress, I suppose I had better +put on the gown which I call my thistle gown. The thistle is the +emblem of Scotland. I suppose you know that, Margaret?' +</P> + +<P> +'No me,' said Margaret. 'It's an ugly, prickly thing, is a thistle.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, you have learnt something from me to-night. You ought to be +very glad when I instruct you, Margaret.' +</P> + +<P> +'I 'd rather be called Magsie,' returned Margaret. +</P> + +<P> +'I intend to call you just what I please.' +</P> + +<P> +'Very weel, miss; but may I make bold to ask which <I>is</I> the thistle +gown?' +</P> + +<P> +'It is a rich, white silk, patterned over with thistles of the natural +colour of the emblem of Scotland. Open the wardrobe and I shall show +it to you. But you took a liberty when you unpacked my clothes without +asking my permission, Margaret.' +</P> + +<P> +'Leeberty—did I? I thocht ye'd be pleased, bein' an auld leddy, no +less; but catch me doin' it again. Ay, but this thistle gown is gran', +to be sure.' +</P> + +<P> +'Can you dress hair?' inquired Miss Delacour. +</P> + +<P> +'Naething special,' was Magsie's answer. 'Is it a wig ye wear or no? +It looks gey unnatural, sae I tak' it to be a wig; but if it's yer ain +hair, I beg yer humble pardon. There's nae harm dune in makin' the +remark.' +</P> + +<P> +'You are a very impertinent girl; but as my dress happens to fasten +behind, and the people in this house are all foolish, I suppose I had +better get you to help me. No, my hair is my own. You must make it +look as well as you can. Do you understand back-combing?' +</P> + +<P> +'Lawk a mercy, ma'am! I never heard tell o' such a thing; and speakin' +o' my master and his family as fules is beyond a'. However, Miss +Jasmine, the darlin', she comes to me and she says in her coaxin' way, +"Mak' the auld leddy comfy, Magsie;" and I 'd risk mony a danger to +please Miss Jasmine.' +</P> + +<P> +'There isn't any Miss Jasmine. Her name is Lucy.' +</P> + +<P> +'Ah, weel, ma'am, ca' the bonnie lass what ye like. Now stand up and +let me at ye. That's the gown. My word! thae thistles are fine. +Hoots! ye needna mind wearin' that gown, auld as ye be. The thistle +'ll do its part.' +</P> + +<P> +'I do wish, girl, you'd atop talking,' said Miss Delacour, and Magsie +of the black hair and black eyes and glowing complexion glanced at her +new mistress and thought it prudent to obey. +</P> + +<P> +She did manage to arrange Miss Delacour's hair 'brawly,' as she called +it, for, as it proved, she had a real talent for hairdressing, and the +good lady inwardly resolved to train this ignorant Margaret for the +school. +</P> + +<P> +She went downstairs presently in her thistle dress. The five little +girls were clad very simply all in white. The five boys wore Eton +jackets, and looked what they were, most gentlemanly young fellows. +Mrs Constable, in a pale shade of gray, was altogether charming; and +nothing could excel the courteous manners of George Lennox. +</P> + +<P> +Every one was inclined to be kind to the stranger, and as it was the +stranger's intention to make a good impression on account of her +scheme, she led the conversation at dinner, ignoring the ten children, +and devoting herself to her brother-in-law and Mrs Constable. +</P> + +<P> +When Miss Delacour was not present there were always wild games, not to +say romps, after dinner, but she seemed in some extraordinary way to +put an extinguisher on the candle of their fun. So deeply was this +manifest that Mrs Constable went back to The Paddock with her five boys +shortly after dinner; and Mr Lennox, seeing that he must make the best +of things, gave a hint to Jasmine that they had better leave him alone +with their mother's half-sister. +</P> + +<P> +The boys had groaned audibly at this ending of their evening's fun. +Hollyhock looked defiant and even wicked; but when daddy whispered to +her, 'The sooner she lets out her scheme, the sooner I can get rid of +her,' the little girls ran upstairs hand-in-hand, all of them singing +at the top of their voices: +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +And fare thee weel, my only Luve,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">And fare thee weel a while!</SPAN><BR> +And I will come again, my Luve,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Tho' it were ten thousand mile.'</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap04"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IV. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE PALACE OF THE KINGS. +</H4> + +<P> +Miss Agnes Delacour was the last person to let the grass grow under her +feet. She, as she expressed it to herself, 'cornered' her +brother-in-law as soon as the five little girls tripped off to bed. +There was nothing, she said inwardly, like taking the bull by the +horns. Accordingly she attacked that ferocious beast in the form of +quiet, courteous Mr Lennox with her usual energy. +</P> + +<P> +'George,' she said, 'you are angry with your poor sister.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, not at all,' he replied. 'Pray take a seat. This chair I can +recommend as most comfortable.' +</P> + +<P> +Miss Agnes accepted the chair, but pursued her own course of reasoning. +</P> + +<P> +'You 're angry,' she continued, 'because I did not go to poor Lucy's +funeral.' +</P> + +<P> +'We will let that matter drop,' said Lennox, his very refined face +turning slightly pale. +</P> + +<P> +'But, my dear brother, we must <I>not</I> let it drop. It is my duty to +protest, and to defend myself. There was a woman with cataract.' +</P> + +<P> +'Dear Agnes, I know that story so well. I am glad the woman recovered +her sight.' +</P> + +<P> +'Then you are a good Christian man, George, and we are friends once +again.' +</P> + +<P> +'We were never anything else,' said Lennox. +</P> + +<P> +'That being the case,' continued Miss Delacour, 'you will of course +listen to the object of my mission here.' +</P> + +<P> +'I will listen, Agnes; but I do not say that I shall either comprehend +or take an interest in your so-called <I>mission</I>.' +</P> + +<P> +'Ah, narrow, narrow man,' said Miss Delacour, shaking her plump finger +playfully at her host as she spoke. +</P> + +<P> +'Am I narrow? I did not know it,' replied Lennox. +</P> + +<P> +'Fearfully so. Think of the way you are bringing up your girls.' +</P> + +<P> +'What is the matter with my lasses? I think them the bonniest and the +best in the world.' +</P> + +<P> +'Poor misguided man! They are nothing of the sort.' +</P> + +<P> +'If you have come here, Agnes, to abuse Lucy's children, <I>and</I> mine, I +would rather we dropped the subject. They have nothing to do with you. +You have never until the present moment taken the slightest notice of +them. They give <I>me</I> intense happiness. I think, perhaps, Agnes, +seeing that we differ and have always differed in every particular, it +might be as well for you to shorten your visit to The Garden.' +</P> + +<P> +'Thank you. That is the sort of speech a child reared by you has +already made to me. She has, in fact, impertinent little thing, +already asked me when I am going.' +</P> + +<P> +'Do you allude to Hollyhock?' +</P> + +<P> +'Now, George, is it wise—is it sensible to call those children after +the flowers of the garden and the field? I assure you your manner of +bringing up your family makes me <I>sick</I>—yes, sick!' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, don't trouble about us,' said Lennox. 'We get on uncommonly well. +They are <I>my</I> children, you know.' +</P> + +<P> +'And Lucy's,' whispered Miss Delacour, her voice slightly shaking. +</P> + +<P> +'I am very sorry to hurt you, Agnes; but Lucy herself—dear, sweet, +precious Lucy—liked the idea of each of the children being called +after a flower; not baptismally, of course, but in their home life. +One of the very last things she said to me before she died was, "Call +the little one Delphinium." Now, have we not talked enough on this, to +me, <I>most</I> painful subject? My Lucy and I were one in heart and deed.' +</P> + +<P> +'Alas, alas!' said Miss Delacour. 'How hard it is to get men to +understand! I knew Lucy longer than you. I brought her up; I trained +her. The good that was in her she owed to me. She has passed on—a +beautiful expression <I>that</I>—but I feel a voice within me saying—a +voice which is her voice—"Agnes, remember my children. Agnes, think +of my children. Do for them what is right. Remember their father's +great weakness."' +</P> + +<P> +'Thanks,' replied Lennox. 'That voice in your breast did not come from +Lucy.' +</P> + +<P> +Miss Delacour gave a short, sharp sigh. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, the ignorance of men!' she exclaimed. 'Oh, the silly, false pride +of men! They think themselves the very best in the world, whereas they +are in reality a poor, very poor lot.' +</P> + +<P> +Lennox fidgeted in his chair. +</P> + +<P> +'How long will this lecture take?' he said. 'As a rule I go to bed +early, as the children and I have a swim in the lake before breakfast +each morning.' +</P> + +<P> +'How are they taught other things besides swimming?' asked Miss +Delacour. +</P> + +<P> +'Taught?' echoed Lennox. 'For their ages they are well instructed. My +sister and I manage their education between us.' +</P> + +<P> +'George, I suppose you will end by marrying again. All men in your +class and with your disposition do so.' +</P> + +<P> +'Agnes, I forbid you to speak to me on that subject again. Once for +all, poor weak man as you consider me, I put down my foot, and will not +discuss that most painful subject. Lucy is the only wife I shall ever +have. I have, thank God, my sister and my sweet girls, and I do not +want anything more. I am a widower for life. Cecilia is a widow for +life. We rejoice in the thought of meeting the dear departed in a +happier world. Now try not to pain me any more. Good-night, Agnes. +You are a little—nay, <I>more</I> than a little—trying.' +</P> + +<P> +'I've not an idea of going to bed yet,' said Miss Delacour, 'for I have +not divulged my scheme. You have got to listen to it, George, whether +you like it or not.' +</P> + +<P> +'I suppose I have,' said George Lennox. He sat down, and made a +violent struggle to restrain his impatience. +</P> + +<P> +'I will come to the matter at once,' said Miss Delacour. 'You know, or +perhaps you do not know, how I spend my life.' +</P> + +<P> +'I do not know, Agnes. You never write, and until to-day you have +never come to The Garden.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, I have come now with a purpose. Pray don't fidget so +dreadfully, George. It is really bad style. I am noted in London for +moving in the very best society. I see the men of culture and +refinement, who are always remarked for the stillness of their +attitudes.' +</P> + +<P> +'Are they?' said George Lennox. 'Well, I can only say I am glad I +don't live there.' +</P> + +<P> +'How Lucy <I>could</I> have taken to you?' remarked Miss Delacour. +</P> + +<P> +'Say those words again, Agnes, and <I>I</I> shall go to bed. There are some +recent novels on the table, and you can read then till you feel sleepy.' +</P> + +<P> +'Thanks; I am never sleepy when I have work to do. My work is charity; +my work is philanthropy. You know quite well that I am blessed by God +with considerable means. Often and often I go to the Bank of England +and stand by the Royal Exchange and see those noble words, "<I>The earth +is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.</I>" George, those words are <I>my</I> +text. Those words exemplify my work. "The earth is the Lord's." I +therefore, George, give of my abundance to the Lord, meaning thereby +the Lord's poor. I hate the Charity Organisation Society; but when I +see a man or a woman or even a child in our rank of life struggling +with dire poverty, when, after making strict inquiries, I find out that +the poverty is real, then I help that man, woman, or child. I live, +George, in a little house in Chelsea. I keep one servant, and one +only. I do not waste money on motor-cars or gardens or antiquated +mansions like this. I give to the Lord's poor. George, I am a very +happy woman.' +</P> + +<P> +'I am glad to hear it,' said Lennox. 'Since you entered my house, I +should not have known it but for your remark.' +</P> + +<P> +'Ah, indeed, I have cause for sorrow in your ridiculous house, +surrounded by your absurd children'—— +</P> + +<P> +'Agnes!' +</P> + +<P> +'I must speak, George. I have come here for the express purpose. Dear +little Lucy wrote to me during her short married life with regard to +the Upper Glen. She wrote happily, I must confess that. She spoke of +her children as though she loved them very dearly. Would she love them +if she were alive now?' +</P> + +<P> +'Agnes!' +</P> + +<P> +'George, I say—I declare—that she would <I>not</I> love them. Brought up +without discipline, without education; called after silly flowers; told +by their father to be rude to me, their <I>aunt</I>! How could she love +them?' +</P> + +<P> +'Agnes, I try hard not to lose my temper; but if you go on much longer +in your present vein of talk, I greatly fear that it will depart.' +</P> + +<P> +'Then let it depart,' said Miss Delacour. 'Anything to rouse the man +who is going so madly, so cruelly, to work with regard to his family. +Now then, let me see. I am ever and always one who walks straight. I +am ever and always one who has an aim in view. My present aim is to +help another. There is a dear woman—a Mrs Macintyre—true Scotch. +You will like that, George. She has been left destitute. Her husband +died; her children died. She is alone, quite alone, in the world. She +has been most highly educated, and I have taken that dear thing up. +There are in the Upper Glen three houses, or, rather, palaces, I should +call them—one where you live, one where your sister, Mrs Constable, +lives. She seems a nice, sensible sort of woman, simple in her tastes +and devoted to her sons, except for the silly names she has given them. +But both The Paddock and The Garden are small in comparison with the +middle house, which has been unoccupied since before your marriage, +George. It is a spacious and beautiful place, and my intention—my +<I>firm intention</I>, remember—is to place Mrs Macintyre there and +establish a suitable school for your girls, for other girls. Your +girls can go to her as weekly boarders. I am not yet <I>quite</I> sure +whether I shall admit the young Constables; but I may. Mrs Macintyre +is a magnificent woman. She will secure for your children, for the +other children, for the Constables, if <I>I</I> permit it, the best masters +and mistresses from Edinburgh. You have a motor-car, have you not?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes.' +</P> + +<P> +'You did not send it to meet your sister.' +</P> + +<P> +'I did not.' +</P> + +<P> +'Polite, I must say; but I forgive your bad manners. I proceed in the +true Christian spirit with my scheme. The middle house in the Upper +Glen belongs, as you know well, to the great Duke of Ardshiel. It is +sometimes called Ardshiel, but more often by the title The Palace of +the Kings. Since the sad tragedy which took place there, it has stood +empty, the Duke having many other country seats and avoiding this noble +mansion because of its associations. Well, George, you know all that +story; but when Mrs Macintyre came to me in her distress and poverty I +immediately thought of Ardshiel. I thought of it as the very place in +which to start a flourishing school, of which your girls could take +full advantage. +</P> + +<P> +'Accompanied by dear Mrs Macintyre, I went to see his Grace. I was +surprisingly successful in my interview. The Duke was quite charmed +with my suggestion. He was much taken also with Mrs Macintyre. In +short, he agreed to let the Palace of the Kings to my friend. I do not +think he will ask a high rent for the lovely place, and, from a very +broad hint he threw out, I expect he will give us the present +magnificent furniture. You will be expected to pay the rent—a mere +trifle. Your sister, if I admit a mixed school, will be asked to +subscribe five hundred pounds for the rearranging of the grounds. The +Duke will put the Palace into full repair, and with our united +aid—for, of course, I shall not keep back my mite—we shall have the +most flourishing school in Scotland opened and filled with pupils by +the middle of September. In fact, I consider the scheme settled. +There will be a large and flourishing school in your midst, for his +Grace would only do things in first-rate style. Now I consider the +matter accomplished. The school will be opened in September, and as I +really cannot stand any more of your fidgeting—such shocking style!—I +will wish you good-night. Of course, not a word of <I>thanks</I> on your +part. I overlook all <I>those</I> little politenesses. The righteous look +for their reward on <I>High</I>! Good-night, good-night! No arguments +to-night, pray. I do not wish to listen to your objections to-night. +You will naturally have them, but they will be overcome. Mrs Macintyre +is a pearl amongst women. Good-night, George; good-night.' +</P> + +<P> +Miss Delacour left the room. George Lennox did not go to bed that +night until very late. +</P> + +<P> +'Well,' he said to himself at last, 'I did not know I could be snubbed +by any one; but that woman, she drives me wild. However, I will call +my own children by the names I wish, and will <I>not</I> assist her with her +school. <I>I</I> to pay the rent, forsooth! I to send my darlings to +school, when I long ago made up my mind that they should never go to +one. Dear Cecilia to be robbed of five hundred pounds and that <I>pearl +of a woman</I> established in our midst. Not quite, Agnes Delacour! We +of the Upper Glen resist. How I wish Hollyhock had been here to-night +when the woman attacked me! No wonder my Lucy could not abide her. +However, I am the master of my own money, and the father of my own +children. I must talk with Cecilia early to-morrow morning, or Agnes +will be at her. Dear Cecil, she would starve herself and her boys to +help any one, but she shall certainly get my views.' +</P> + +<P> +Alas, however, his optimism proved ill-founded, and it so happened that +Miss Delacour paid a very early call indeed on the following morning at +The Paddock, for she slept well and woke early, whereas the Honourable +George Lennox slept badly and awoke late. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs Constable was rather amazed at so early a visit from her brother's +sister-in-law. The boys rushed in, yelling the news. She was just +pouring out milk for her collection of Precious Stones when the +unabashed lady entered the spacious dining-room. +</P> + +<P> +'Ah, upon my word, a nice house!' said Miss Delacour. 'How cheerful +you make everything look, dear! As sister women we can appreciate the +little niceties of life, can we not?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, of course,' said Mrs Constable in her pleasant manner and with +her pretty, bright look. 'But what a long walk to take before +breakfast, Miss Delacour!' +</P> + +<P> +'I have come on behalf of my brother-in-law.' +</P> + +<P> +'Is George ill?' inquired Mrs Constable. +</P> + +<P> +Miss Delacour put her finger to her lip. Then she significantly +touched her brow. Going up to Mrs Constable, she begged to have a +special talk with her all alone. Mrs Constable had thought the woman +in the thistle gown very queer the night before, and the boys had +frankly detested her; but when that admirable philanthropist went up +and dropped a word into her ear she turned a little pale, and facing +her sons, said, 'Laddies, you had best go into the back dining-room and +sup your porridge. Run, laddies; run.' +</P> + +<P> +The boys gave their mother an adoring glance, scowled ferociously at +Miss Delacour, and left the room. Over their coffee, hot rolls, and +marmalade, Miss Delacour propounded her scheme—her great, her +wonderful scheme. +</P> + +<P> +It is well to be first in the field, and Miss Delacour could speak with +eloquence. She was a real philanthropist, and she appealed to the kind +heart of Mrs Constable. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap05"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER V. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE EARLY BIRD. +</H4> + +<P> +There is, after all, nothing like being first in the field. The old +proverb of the early bird that catches the worm is correct. Miss +Delacour knew her ground. Miss Delacour had gauged her woman, and +when, about eleven o'clock that day, George Lennox walked across to The +Paddock, hoping to obtain the sympathy which he had never before been +refused by his sister, he was much amazed to find that Mrs Constable +was altogether on the other side. +</P> + +<P> +'What has come over you, Cecilia?' he remarked. 'Is it possible that +you have already seen my sister-in-law? Do you understand the sort of +woman that she is?' +</P> + +<P> +'I have seen her more than two hours ago, George,' replied Mrs +Constable, 'and, to be frank with you, I admire her very much. There +is no one to me like you, George, but women can see things which men +cannot. It seems to me that Miss Delacour is a woman with a great +heart, and she has taken pains to propound to me a scheme which I +consider most noble. In fact, I fully agree with her in the matter. I +cannot help doing so. Our children, our dear children, George, require +by now to be taught the great things of the world. Hitherto you and I +have taught them all we could. I do not deny that, until now, our +instruction was sufficient; but a time has arrived when they all need +the broader life. I, for one, will certainly help Miss Delacour to the +extent of five hundred pounds. The Duke is quite in favour of the +Palace of the Kings being made use of for so worthy an object, and will +give us the furniture, if not for <I>nothing</I>, at least for a very +trifling sum. Miss Delacour will herself provide the extra furniture +required for a school, and I further understand that the Duke will let +the old house and grounds for a merely nominal rent, which I think you, +George, being his kinsman through your dear wife, ought to supply. +Miss Delacour has secured the services of a most efficient +head-mistress, and the school will be run on truly noble lines—on the +very best lines, or the Duke would have nothing to do with it. As I am +willing to help Miss Delacour, she will allow my dear sons, for a +longer or shorter period, to enter the school so as to prepare for Eton +by-and-by. Home education is not enough, George, and the children will +be educated for the broader world, at our very doors. They will be +allowed to return to the home nest each Saturday until early Monday +morning. What could by any means be more advantageous?' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh dear,' exclaimed Lennox, '<I>what</I> a woman Agnes is!' +</P> + +<P> +'What a noble woman! you mean.' +</P> + +<P> +'I do not mean that, by any means. I mean that she is clever and very +rich, and philanders with philanthropy. We know nothing, for instance, +of the proposed head-mistress, Mrs Macintyre.' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, we do, through that really excellent woman, your sister-in-law. +George, you are sadly prejudiced.' +</P> + +<P> +'Cecil, you wrong me. Was she not my Lucy's half-sister, and did not +my dearest one suffer tortures at her hands?' +</P> + +<P> +'Ah! try to forget that part of the painful past. Well do I know what +your Lucy was to you, to me, to her little girls. <I>Try</I>, my dearest +brother, to be brave, and to take to your heart the text, "Vengeance is +mine, saith the Lord," and receive Miss Delacour's magnificent scheme +with a good grace.' +</P> + +<P> +'And the loss of a considerable yearly income, to say nothing of the +far deeper pain of parting from my children. Really, Cecilia, I did +think you would show more pity to a sadly lonely man.' +</P> + +<P> +'And I, also, am a sadly lonely woman, George; but I must not think of +myself in the matter of my beloved boys.' +</P> + +<P> +'You never do, and never could, Cecil; but that woman drives me nearly +wild.' +</P> + +<P> +'Dear George, try to think more kindly of her. She spoke, oh! <I>so</I> +kindly of you; indeed, she spoke most affectionately. I could not +believe that you were inclined to be jealous, and even stingy.' +</P> + +<P> +Lennox rose. 'If being unwilling to deprive myself of several hundreds +a year for a total stranger, as well as parting from my dear little +lasses, is stingy, then I <I>am</I> stingy, Cecilia; but let the matter +drop. I bow to the decrees of two women. When two women put their +heads together, what chance has poor man?' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh George,' said Mrs Constable, 'since my beloved husband was killed, +whom have I had to look to but you, my dearest brother? Believe me, +this <I>is</I> a good cause. Your children and my children <I>need</I> to mix +with the world. Jasper must soon go to a public school, but a year in +a mixed school will do him no harm. I have been deeply puzzled of late +as to what to do with my boys' future. Then comes unexpectedly a noble +woman who opens up a plan. It seems right; it seems correct. Our +children will mix with other children. They will know the world in the +way they <I>must</I> first know it—namely, at school; and they will be, +remember, George, within a stone's-throw of us.' +</P> + +<P> +'You don't mean to say that they are to be weekly boarders?' remarked +the stricken man. +</P> + +<P> +'I do say it. That is her determination. The school will be a very +large one, and I am going to-day to meet Miss Delacour at Ardshiel in +order to see what improvements are necessary. Oh, dear, dear old boy, +if I <I>could</I> remove that frown from your brow!' +</P> + +<P> +'You can't, Cecilia; so don't try. I am worsted by two women, the fate +of most men. I am very unhappy. I don't pretend to be anything else. +My sister-in-law has stolen a march on me, but at least there is one +thing on which I am determined. You, of course, Cecilia, can do as you +please, but I positively <I>refuse</I> to send a child of mine to that place +until I have first had an interview with Mrs Macintyre.' +</P> + +<P> +'And that is most sensible of you, George. I shall wire to her and ask +her to come to The Paddock to-day. I shall be so glad to put her up +and make her happy. A woman in her case, with financial difficulties, +having lost husband and children, is so deeply to be pitied. My whole +heart aches for the poor, dear thing.' +</P> + +<P> +'Cecilia, I would not know you this morning. I must go back now to my +little girls. They at least are all my own; they at least dislike the +woman who has conquered your too kind heart.' +</P> + +<P> +'George, I have faithfully promised in your name and my own to visit +Ardshiel immediately after luncheon to-day. We have to see for +ourselves that the sad home of neglect and tragedy, which will soon be +filled with young and happy life, is in all respects suited to our +purpose.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh dear, oh dear!' said George Lennox. 'Well, if I must, I must. Two +women against one man! I suppose I may be allowed to bring Hollyhock?' +</P> + +<P> +'Best not, on the first occasion. She irritates Miss Delacour.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, bother Miss Delacour!' exclaimed the Honourable George, who was +now at last thoroughly out of humour. 'Well, I'll meet you at +half-past two at Ardshiel, and I hope by then I may feel a little +calmer than I do at present.' +</P> + +<P> +As soon as George Lennox had gone, Mrs Constable sent a telegram to the +bereaved and distracted Mrs Macintyre, inviting her to make a speedy +visit to The Paddock. This telegram had only to go as far as +Edinburgh, for Miss Delacour had put her friend up in a shabby room in +a back-street in that city of rare beauty. The address had been given, +however, to Mrs Constable; and Mrs Macintyre, who was feeling very +depressed, and wondering if anything could come of her friend's scheme, +replied instanter: 'Will be with you by next train.' +</P> + +<P> +Mrs Constable made all preparations for her guest's arrival. The best +spare room was got ready. The finest linen sheets, smelling of +lavender, were spread on the soft bed. The room was a lovely one, and +in every respect a contrast to any Mrs Macintyre had used of late. +</P> + +<P> +As has been said, it was the custom for the Constables and the Lennoxes +to dine and spend the evening together. This was the night for The +Paddock, and Mrs Macintyre would therefore see not only the Honourable +George Lennox, but a goodly number of her future pupils. Miss Delacour +was a woman who in the moment of victory was not inclined to show off. +Having gained Mrs Constable, she was merciful to George, and said +nothing whatever to him with regard to the school, or with regard to +the advent of Mrs Macintyre. She knew well that that really good woman +would be at The Paddock that evening, and considered her task +practically accomplished. +</P> + +<P> +George Lennox, feeling sad at heart, but still trusting to the +incapability of Mrs Macintyre to undertake so onerous a charge, went +with his sister-in-law to meet Mrs Constable at the appointed hour at +Ardshiel that afternoon. When they joined Mrs Constable at the lodge +gate, he did not hear the one lady say to the other, 'The dear thing +will be with me in time for dinner.' +</P> + +<P> +'We dine at The Paddock to-night,' whispered Miss Delacour. 'How +marvellous are the ways of Providence! I can get back to London +to-morrow. Between ourselves, dear, I hate the Upper Glen, and +heartily dislike my brother-in-law.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh! you must not speak of my brother like that,' said Mrs Constable. +'With the exception of my dear husband, there never was a man like my +brother George.' +</P> + +<P> +'As you think so much of him, perhaps he will help you by finding +husband No. 2,' said Miss Delacour in a tone which she meant to be +playful. She chuckled over her commonplace joke, having never +succeeded herself in finding even No. 1. But Mrs Constable's gentle +and beautiful gray eyes now flashed with a sudden fire, and the colour +of amazed anger rose into her cheeks. +</P> + +<P> +'Miss Delacour, you astonish and pain me indescribably when you speak +as you have just done. Little you know of my beloved Wallace. Had you +had the good fortune to meet so noble a man, you would perceive how +impossible it is for his widow, indeed his <I>wife</I>, as I consider +myself, to marry any one else. Never speak to me on that subject +again, please, Miss Delacour.' +</P> + +<P> +Miss Delacour saw that she had gone too far, and muttered to herself, +'Dear, dear, how <I>huffy</I> these handsome widows are! But, all the same, +I doubt not that she <I>will</I> marry again. Time will prove. For me, I +have no patience with these silly airs. But I see I must change the +subject.' Accordingly she deftly did so, and even asked to see a +portrait of the late gallant major. This request was, however, +somewhat curtly refused. +</P> + +<P> +'Only my laddies and myself see the picture of their blessed father,' +was the reply; and Miss Delacour could not but respect Mrs Constable +all the more for her gentle and yet firm dignity. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile the unhappy and lonely George Lennox, hating his +sister-in-law's scheme more and more, wandered away by himself, where +he could think matters over. +</P> + +<P> +'I never <I>could</I> have believed that Cecil would abide tittle-tattle,' +he thought; 'but that woman Agnes would contaminate any one.' +</P> + +<P> +The ladies had now reached Ardshiel. It was, of course, considerably +out of repair, but was even now lovely, with the beauty of fallen +greatness. The majesty of the spacious grounds, the reflection of the +sun on the tragic lake, the fine effect of great mountains in the +distance, were as impressive as ever. It was clear that the walks, the +lawns, the terraces, the beds of neglected flowers, the great +glass-houses, could all soon be put to rights. +</P> + +<P> +Then within that house, where the footsteps of the young bride had +never been heard, were treasures innumerable and furniture which age +could only improve. The Duke had promised, if all turned out +satisfactorily, to hand over the furniture, the magnificent glass and +china, the silver even, and fine linen and napery of all sorts, as his +present to the school; but he insisted on a small rent being paid +yearly for the lovely place, and also demanded that a certain sum be +paid for the restoration of the grounds. Mrs Constable would repair +the grounds, while her brother would surely not refuse to pay the small +rent expected by the Duke for this most noble part of his property. +Miss Delacour hoped that she would establish her friend in the school +without much loss of her own property, but she was willing to add the +necessary school furniture, meaning the beds for the children and the +correct furniture for their rooms, also the downstairs school +furniture, such as desks and so forth. She expected to get them for a +sum equal to what Mrs Constable intended to spend—namely, five hundred +pounds. In this matter she thought herself most generous, and poor +George most mean. +</P> + +<P> +While the ladies were examining the interior of the great house, the +Honourable George Lennox walked through the place alone, taking good +care to keep away from the women. He walked all the time like one in a +dream. It seemed to him as though he saw ghosts all around him, not +only the ghost of his own peerless Lucy, and the other ghost of the +poor youth who early on his wedding morning was found, cold and dead, +floating on the waters of the mighty lake. Lennox spent much of the +time in the grounds of Ardshiel, and heard, to his delight, the +wrangling voices of the two women, hoping sincerely that the scheme of +having this house of almost royalty turned into a school would be +knocked on the head; for when were women, even the best of them, long +consistent in their ideas? +</P> + +<P> +Finally, however, the ladies did leave Ardshiel, the whole scheme of +turning Ardshiel into a school for lads and lasses marked out in Miss +Delacour's active mind. The attics would do for the children's +cubicles. The next floor would be devoted to class-rooms of all sorts +and descriptions, the ground floor would form the pleasure part of the +establishment, and the servants would have a wing quite apart. The +school could certainly be opened not later than September. The place +was made for a school for the upper classes. It seemed to grow under +the eyes of the two women into a delightful resort of youth, learning, +and happiness; but Mr Lennox became more opposed to the scheme each +moment. His one hope was that Mrs Macintyre might turn out to be +<I>impossible</I>, in which case these castles in the air would topple to +the ground. +</P> + +<P> +The three parted at the gates of Ardshiel, Miss Delacour and her +brother-in-law going one way, and Mrs Constable the other. +</P> + +<P> +'You won't forget, dear,' said Mrs Constable, nodding affectionately to +her new friend, 'to be in time for dinner this evening?' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh dear! I forgot that we were to dine with you, Cecilia,' said +George Lennox. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, don't forget it, George; and bring all the sweet Flowers with +you.' +</P> + +<P> +'Naturally, I should not come without them.' His tone was almost angry. +</P> + +<P> +'What a charming—what a sweet woman Mrs Constable is!' remarked his +sister-in-law. +</P> + +<P> +Lennox was silent. +</P> + +<P> +'George,' said Agnes, 'you're sulky.' +</P> + +<P> +'Doubtless I am. Most men would be who are cajoled as I have been into +paying the rent of that horrid house. Yes, you are a clever woman, +Agnes; but I can tell you once for all that not a single one of my +Flowers of the Garden shall enter that school if I do not approve of +the head-mistress.' +</P> + +<P> +'I said you were sulky,' repeated Miss Delacour. 'A sulky man is +almost as unpleasant as a fidgety man.' +</P> + +<P> +'To tell you frankly, Agnes, I keenly dislike being played the fool +with. You saw Cecilia Constable this morning. You won her round to +your views when I was asleep.' +</P> + +<P> +'Ha, ha!' laughed Miss Delacour. 'I repeat, she is a sweet woman, and +her boys shall go to the school.' +</P> + +<P> +'I thought it was a girls' school.' +</P> + +<P> +'For her dear sake,' replied Miss Delacour, 'it will be a mixed school. +Oh, I feel happy! The Lord is directing me.' +</P> + +<P> +They arrived at The Garden, where five gloomy little girls gazed +gloomily at their aunt. +</P> + +<P> +'I do wonder when she 'll go,' whispered Hollyhock. 'Look at Dumpy +Dad; he's perfectly miserable. If she does not clear out soon, I 'll +turn her out, that I will.' +</P> + +<P> +When tea was over, the children and their father went into the spacious +grounds, rowed on the lake, and were happy once more, their peals of +merriment reaching Miss Delacour as she drew up plans in furtherance of +her scheme. +</P> + +<P> +By-and-by the children went upstairs to dress for dinner. Their dress +was very simple, sometimes white washing silk, sometimes pink silk, +equally soft, sometimes very pale-blue silk. To-night they chose to +appear in their pink dresses. +</P> + +<P> +'It will annoy the old crab,' thought Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +They always walked the short distance between The Garden and The +Paddock. +</P> + +<P> +Miss Delacour put on her 'thistle' gown, assisted by Magsie, who +ingratiatingly declared that she looked 'that weel ye hardly kent her.' +</P> + +<P> +'You are a good girl, Margaret,' answered Miss Delacour, 'and if I can +I will help you in life.' +</P> + +<P> +'Thank ye, my leddy; thank ye.' +</P> + +<P> +The entire family started off for The Paddock, and on arrival there, to +the amazement and indeed sickening surprise of the Honourable George +Lennox, were immediately introduced to Mrs Macintyre, who turned out to +be, to his intense disappointment, a quiet, sad, lady-like woman, tall +and slender, and without a trace of the Scots accent about her. She +was perfect as far as speech and manner were concerned. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs Macintyre, however, knew well the important part she had to play. +At dinner she sat next to Mr Lennox, and devoted herself to him with a +sort of humble devotion, speaking sadly of the school, but assuring him +that if he <I>could</I> induce himself to entrust his beautiful little +Flower Girls to her care, she would leave no stone unturned to educate +them according to his own wishes, and to let them see as much of their +father as possible. +</P> + +<P> +Lennox began to feel that he preferred Mrs Macintyre to his +sister-in-law or even to his sister, Mrs Constable, at that moment. +The woman undoubtedly was a lady. How great, how terrible, had been +her sorrow! And then she spoke so prettily of his girls, and said that +the flower names were altogether <I>too charming</I>, and nothing would +induce her to disturb them. +</P> + +<P> +It was on the lips of Lennox to say, 'I am not going to send my girls +to your school,' but he found, as he looked into her sad dark eyes, +that he could not dash the hopes of such a woman to the ground. He was +therefore silent, and the evening passed agreeably. +</P> + +<P> +Immediately after dinner Mrs Macintyre sat at the piano and sang one +Scots song after another. She had a really exquisite voice, and when +'Robin Adair' and 'Ye Banks and Braes' and 'Annie Laurie' rang through +the old hall, the man gave himself up to the delight of listening. He +stood by her and turned the pages of music, while the two ladies, Mrs +Constable and Miss Delacour, looked on with smiling faces. Miss +Delacour knew that her cause was won, and that she might with safety +leave the precincts of the horrible Garden to-morrow. How miserable +she was in that spot! Yes, her friend's future was assured, and she +herself must go to Edinburgh and to London to secure sufficiently +aristocratic pupils for the new school. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap06"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VI. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE HEAD-MISTRESS. +</H4> + +<P> +It was, after all, Mrs Macintyre who made the school a great success. +Her gentleness, her sweet and noble character, overcame every +prejudice, even of Mr Lennox. When she said that she thought his +children and their flower names beautiful, the heart of the good man +was won. Later in the evening, when the lively little party of +Lennoxes, accompanied, of course, by Miss Delacour, went back to The +Garden, his sister-in-law called him aside, and informed him somewhat +brusquely of the fact that she was leaving for London on the following +day. +</P> + +<P> +'Mrs Macintyre will remain behind,' she said. 'I gave her at parting +five hundred pounds. You will do your part, of course, George, unless +you are an utter fool.' +</P> + +<P> +George Lennox felt so glad at the thought of parting from Miss Delacour +that he almost forgave her for calling him a possibly utter fool; nay, +more, in his joy at her departure, he nearly, but not <I>quite</I>, kissed +his sister-in-law. +</P> + +<P> +Every attention was now paid to this good lady. At a very early hour +on the following morning the motor-car conveyed her to Edinburgh. It +seemed to the Lennoxes, children and father alike, that when Aunt Agnes +departed the birds sang a particularly delightful song, the roses in +the garden gave out their rarest perfume, the sweet-peas were a glory +to behold, the sky was more blue than it had ever been before; in +short, there was a happy man in The Garden, a happy man with five +little Flower Girls. How <I>could</I> he ever bring himself to call his +Jasmine, Lucy; his Gentian, Margaret; his Hollyhock, Jacqueline; his +Rose of the Garden, mere Rose; and his Delphinium, Dorothy? +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, isn't it good that she's gone?' cried Jasmine. +</P> + +<P> +'Your aunt has left us, and we mustn't talk about her any more,' said +Lennox, whose relief of mind was so vast that he could not help +whistling and singing. +</P> + +<P> +'Why, Daddy Dumps, you <I>do</I> look jolly,' said Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'We are all jolly—it is a lovely day,' said Mr Lennox. +</P> + +<P> +So they had a very happy breakfast together, and joked and laughed, and +forgot Aunt Agnes and her queer ways. The only person who slightly +missed her was Magsie, on whom she had bestowed a whole sovereign, +informing her at the same time that she, Margaret, might expect good +tidings before long. +</P> + +<P> +'Whatever does she mean?' thought Magsie. 'She has plenty to say. I +didn't tak' to her at first, but pieces o' gold are no to be had every +day o' the week, and she has a generous heart, although I can see the +master is not much taken wi' her.' +</P> + +<P> +The Flower Girls and their father were rowing on the lake, when a shout +from the shore called them to stop. There stood Mrs Constable; there +stood Mrs Macintyre; there also stood in a group Jasper, Garnet, +Emerald, Sapphire, and Opal. +</P> + +<P> +'Come ashore, come ashore,' called Jasper; and the boat was quickly +pulled toward the little landing-stage. +</P> + +<P> +The ten happy children romped away together. +</P> + +<P> +'Isn't it good that she's gone?' said Hollyhock. 'Isn't she a +downright horror?' +</P> + +<P> +'But mother says she means well,' said Jasper; 'and who could be nicer +than Mrs Macintyre?' +</P> + +<P> +'I suppose not,' said Hollyhock. 'Is she going to stay with Aunt Cecil +long, Jasper?' +</P> + +<P> +'Long? Why, don't you know the news?' +</P> + +<P> +'What? Oh, do tell us!' cried Delphinium. +</P> + +<P> +'She's going to stay for ever,' said Jasper, 'except of course in the +holidays. She has taken Ardshiel, and she is going to turn it into a +great school, a great, monstrous, magnificent school; and we are <I>all</I> +going—we, and you, and heaps more children besides; and mother is +nearly off her head with delight. Of course, as far as I am concerned, +I shall only be able to stay at such a school for one year, for I must +then go on to a public school. But Mrs Macintyre has been talking to +mother, and says she can prepare me for Eton with perfect ease in a +year from now.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, bother!' said Jasmine. 'We don't want other boys and girls. We +are quite happy by ourselves.' +</P> + +<P> +'But mother thinks we must mix with the world, girls; and so does Mrs +Macintyre,' continued Jasper. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, I'm not going to school, anyhow,' said Hollyhock. 'You and your +mother may go into raptures over Mrs Macintyre as much as ever you +please, but I stay at home with Dumpy Dad. Why should <I>he</I> be left out +in the cold? He is the dearest Dump in the world, and I 'm not going +to have him slighted. You are very fond of romancing, Jasper, and I +don't believe a word of your story.' +</P> + +<P> +'All right,' said Jasper, looking with his honest, Scots face full into +the eyes of Hollyhock. 'There they are—the principals, I mean.' +</P> + +<P> +'Principals! What nonsense you do talk!' +</P> + +<P> +'I mean my mother, your father, and Mrs Macintyre.' +</P> + +<P> +'And what are they principals of?' asked the angry girl. +</P> + +<P> +'Why, the school, of course.' +</P> + +<P> +'The school? There's no school.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, let's run and ask them. Hearing is believing, surely.' +</P> + +<P> +The ten children raced after Mrs Macintyre, Mr Lennox, and Mrs +Constable. +</P> + +<P> +'Daddy,' exclaimed Hollyhock, 'there's not going to be a school set up +near here? You are not going to send your Flower Girls to school?' +</P> + +<P> +'Wouldn't you like me to help you a little, darling?' said Mrs +Macintyre in her gentle voice. 'You look such an intelligent, pleasant +girl, and I would do all in my power for you; and although your father +and Mrs Constable are quite wonderful in educating you so far, I think +a little outside life, outside teaching, and the meeting with outside +boys and girls would be for your benefit, dear child. I do, really! I +don't think you'll oppose me, Hollyhock, when your father wishes it.' +</P> + +<P> +'Dumpy Dad, do you wish it?' +</P> + +<P> +'Well—ah, <I>yes</I>, I think it would be a good plan,' said George Lennox. +</P> + +<P> +'Then I'm done,' said Hollyhock. 'Where's Magsie? She's the only bit +of comfort left to me. Let me seek her out and put a stop to this +madness.' Hollyhock really felt very, very angry. She was not yet +under Mrs Macintyre's charm. 'Where's my brave Magsie?' she cried, and +presently she heard an answering voice. +</P> + +<P> +'Eh, but is that you, Miss Hollyhock? Why, lassie, you look pale. +Your eyes waver. I don't like ye to look so white in the complexion. +What may ye be wantin' wi' me, my lass?' +</P> + +<P> +'They are trying to whip me off to school,' said Hollyhock; 'that's +what they are after. That's what that horrid Aunt Agnes came about.' +</P> + +<P> +'Eh, but she is a fine gentlewoman,' replied Magsie. 'She gave me a +whole sovereign. What <I>I</I> ken o' her, I ken weel, and I ken kind. Eh, +but ye 'll hae to soople your backbone, Miss Hollyhock, and think a +pickle less o' your dainty self. It 'll be guid for ye to go to that +schule.' +</P> + +<P> +'<I>You</I> are no good at all,' cried Hollyhock. 'I 'm the most miserable +girl in the world, and I hate Mrs Macintyre.' +</P> + +<P> +'I haven't set eyes on her yet,' said Magsie. 'Suppose I go out and +tak' a squint. I can always tell when women are good or the other +thing. Why, Miss Hollyhock, you look for all the world as though you +were scared by bogles; but I 'll soon see what sort the leddy is, and I +'ll bring ye word; for folks canna tak' in Magsie Dawe.' +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock sat down, feeling very queer and stupid. She had not long to +wait before Magsie dashed into her bedroom. +</P> + +<P> +'Hoots, now, and what a fuss ye mak' o' nothing at a'! A kinder leddy +never walked. What ails her? says I. Indeed, I think ye 'll enjoy +schule, and muckle fun ye 'll hae there. Ye canna go on as ye are +goin'. Hech! I wouldna be you, stayin' at hame, for a guid deal. +It's richt for ye to gang; that's what I think, havin' seen the leddy +and glowerin' at her as I did; but not one thocht but o' love could +rise in my breast for her. I'd gie a guid deal for her to teach <I>me</I>, +that I would. I wouldna sit down and greet like a bairn.' +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile Miss Delacour, having thoroughly propounded her scheme, +returned first to Edinburgh, where she made known her plan of the great +school, which was to be opened in September for the young sons and the +daughters of the highest gentry and nobility. She was a woman who +could speak well when she pleased. She said the terms for the school +education would be high, as was to be expected where such excellent +teaching would be given. +</P> + +<P> +She spoke of Mrs Macintyre with tears in her eyes. 'That noble woman +would win any heart,' she said. She then described her +brother-in-law's daughters, and the sons of her brother-in-law's +sister. She spoke of these ten children with enthusiasm. She spoke of +the mother of the boys with delight. She was a little sad when she +mentioned her brother-in-law. It was really necessary to save his +pretty girls. He was a man who meant well, but acted foolishly. The +school would be superb—the very first of its kind in Scotland. She +wanted English children to come to it. She wanted it for a short time +to be a mixed school, but that scheme would probably die out +eventually. Her great object at the present moment was to secure +worthy pupils for her dear friend, and to introduce the very best boys +and girls into the Palace of the Kings, one of the most beautiful homes +of the great Duke of Ardshiel. The terms for weekly pupils would +necessarily be high—namely, two hundred pounds a year; while the terms +for those boys and girls who spent all their time, excluding the +holidays, at the great school would be still higher, even as much as +two hundred and fifty pounds a year. But the education was worth the +price, for where was there another school in the whole of the United +Kingdom to compare with the Palace of the Kings? The very best +teachers from Edinburgh would come, if necessary, to the school; and +what centre so great as Edinburgh for learning? The best foreign +governesses were to be employed. An elderly tutor or two were also to +live in the house. These were to be clergymen and married men. +</P> + +<P> +Having done her work in Edinburgh, Miss Delacour proceeded to London, +and soon had the happiness of securing Master Henry de Courcy Anstel, +the Lady Leucha Villiers, the Lady Barbara Fraser, the Lady Dorothy +Fraser, the Hon. Daisy Watson, Miss Augusta Fane, Miss +Featherstonhaugh, Miss Margaret Drummond, Master Roger Carden, Master +Ivor Chetwode, Miss Mary Barton, Miss Nancy Greenfield, Miss Isabella +Macneale, and Miss Jane Calvert. There were many more to follow, but +she felt that she had done well for her friend with this number, and +that the noble old Palace was well started. +</P> + +<P> +After a few days spent first with Mrs Constable and then with Mr +Lennox, and having heard the good news from her friend Miss Delacour, +Mrs Macintyre went to London to select suitable teachers. The school +was put into the hands of the best decorators, upholsterers, and +builders. The furniture was polished; the gardens were remade; in +short, all was in readiness for that happy day in September when the +greatest private school in Scotland was to be opened, and opened with +éclat. +</P> + +<P> +The parents of the children were all invited to see the great school +the day before lessons began, and they could not help expressing their +delight with the lovely place. The gentlemanly little Constables and +the charming little Flower Girls were present, and gave a delightful +effect. Even Hollyhock condescended to go to the school on this one +occasion to see what it was like, more particularly as that horrid +Magsie was going there as one of the maids. As for the rest of the +Lennoxes, they were simply wild to go to school, and Mr Lennox was now +as keen to see them there as he had at first been opposed to the whole +idea. But he was the sort of man who would force none of his children, +and if Hollyhock preferred to stay at home with him—why, she might. +He rather suspected that she would soon come round. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap07"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VII. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE OPENING OF THE GREAT SCHOOL. +</H4> + +<P> +The parents of the pupils were more than delighted at the thought of +their children being educated in such a home of beauty and romance. +</P> + +<P> +Now Ardshiel, by means of Miss Delacour and Mrs Macintyre, had been +very much spoken of before the opening day. Those English girls and +boys who were to go there, and the girls and boys from Edinburgh, were +all wild with delight; and, in truth, it would be difficult to find a +more lovely place than that which Ardshiel had been turned into. The +story of the drowned man and the deep lake and the mourning bride was +carefully buried in oblivion. Magsie of course knew the story, but +Magsie wisely kept these things to herself; and even Mrs Macintyre, the +mistress of the school, had not been told the story. +</P> + +<P> +On a Monday in the middle of September Ardshiel looked gay of the gay. +The sun shone with great brilliancy. The French mesdemoiselles, the +Swiss fräuleins, and the gentle Italian signorinas were all present. +In addition there were English mistresses and some teachers who had +taken high degrees at Edinburgh University. Certainly the place was +charming. The trees which hung over the tranquil lake, the lovely +walks where girls and boys alike could pace up and down, the +tennis-courts, the hockey-field, the football-ground reserved for the +boys, and the lacrosse-field designed for both girls and boys, gave +promise of intense enjoyment; and when the guests sat down to +lunch—such a lunch as only Mrs Macintyre could prepare—they felt that +they were indeed happy in having secured such a home for the education +and delight of their darlings. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock and her sisters sat in a little group at one side of the long +table, and a lady, the mother of Master Roger Carden, spoke to +Hollyhock, congratulating her on her rare good luck in going to such a +school. +</P> + +<P> +'I'm not going to this stupid old Palace,' said Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'Why, my dear, are you not going? Besides, I thought the name of the +place was Ardshiel.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, they re-called it,' replied Hollyhock, tossing her mane of black +hair from her head. 'Anyhow, one name is as good as another, I 'm +going to stay with my Dumpy Dad.' +</P> + +<P> +'Who is "Dumpy Dad"?' asked Lady Jane Carden. +</P> + +<P> +'Don't you dare to call him by that name,' said the indignant +Hollyhock. 'He's my father; he's the Honourable George Lennox. I'm +not going to leave him for any Ardshiel that was ever made.' +</P> + +<P> +'What a pity!' said Lady Jane. 'My boy Roger will be so disappointed. +He 's coming to the school, you know.' +</P> + +<P> +'Is he? I don't think much of boys coming to girls' schools.' +</P> + +<P> +'I'm afraid, my dear little girl,' said Lady Jane, 'that you yourself +want school more than most. You don't know how to behave to a lady.' +</P> + +<P> +'I know how to behave to Dumpy Dad, and that's all I care about.' +</P> + +<P> +Nothing further was said to Hollyhock, but she noticed that Lady Jane +Carden was speaking to another friend of hers, and glancing at +Hollyhock with scant approval as she did so. It seemed to Hollyhock +that she was saying, 'That's not at all a nice or polite little girl.' +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock was vexed, because she had a great pride, and did not wish +even insignificant people like Lady Jane Carden to speak against her. +</P> + +<P> +The great inspection of the school came to an end, and the children +were to assemble there as soon as possible on the morrow. Mrs +Macintyre, however, declared that there would be no lessons until the +following day. This greatly delighted the four Flower Girls and the +five Precious Stones, and they all started off in the highest spirits +to their new school next morning. Oh, was it not fun, glorious fun, to +go to Ardshiel and yet be close to mummy and daddy all the time? Their +father had specially forbidden his Flower Girls to make any remarks to +Hollyhock about her not going with the others to school. +</P> + +<P> +'Leave her alone, children, and she 'll come round,' was his remark. +'Do the reverse, and we'll have trouble with her.' +</P> + +<P> +As soon as the children had departed to Ardshiel, Hollyhock and her +father found themselves alone. She looked wildly round her for a +minute; then she dashed into the pine-wood, flung herself on the ground +among the pine-needles, and gave vent to a few choking sobs. Oh, why +was she so fearfully lonely; why was this horrid Ardshiel invented; why +were her sisters taken from her, and her brothers, as she called the +Precious Stones? Of course she still had Dumpy Dad, and he was a host +in himself. She brushed violently away some fast-flowing tears, and +then dashed into the hall. As a rule the hall was a very lively place. +If it was at all cold weather there was a great fire in the ingle-nook, +and a girl was sure to be found in the hall playing on the grand piano +or on the beautiful organ, or singing in her sweet voice; but now all +was deadly silence. Even the dogs, Curfew and Tocsin, were nowhere to +be seen. There was no Magsie to talk to. Magsie had gone over to the +enemy. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock ran up to her own room, for each Flower Girl had a room to +herself in the great house. She brushed back her jet-black hair; she +tidied her little blouse as well as she could, and even tied a crimson +ribbon on one side of her hair; and then, feeling that she looked at +least a little bewitching, and that Ardshiel mattered nothing at all to +her, and that if her sisters chose to be fools—well, let them be +fools, she flew down to her father's study. +</P> + +<P> +Now this was the hour when George Lennox devoted himself, as a rule, to +his accounts; this was the hour when, formerly, Mrs Constable came over +to fetch the children for their lessons. But there was no sign of Mrs +Constable coming to-day, and Dumpy Dad only raised his head, glanced at +his miserable child, and said sharply, 'I can't be interrupted now, +Hollyhock. You'd better go out and play in the garden.' +</P> + +<P> +'But I 've no one to play with,' said Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'You must leave me, my dear child. I shall be particularly busy for +the next couple of hours. In the afternoon we can go for a ride +together. It's rather cold to row on the lake to-day. Now go, +Hollyhock. You are interrupting me.' +</P> + +<P> +'Dumpy Dad!' faltered Hollyhock, her usually happy voice quavering with +sadness. +</P> + +<P> +Lennox took not the slightest notice, but went on with his accounts. +</P> + +<P> +'This is unbearable,' thought Hollyhock. 'If dad chooses to spend his +mornings over horrid arithmetic instead of looking after me, when I 've +given up so much for his sake, I'll just run away, that I will; but as +to going to Ardshiel, to be crowed over by Magsie, catch <I>me</I>!' +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock pulled the crimson bow out of her dark hair, let the said +hair blow wildly in the breeze, stuck on her oldest and shabbiest hat, +which she knew well did not become her in the least, and went to The +Paddock. She was quite longing to do her usual lessons with Aunt +Cecil. In order to reach The Paddock she had, however, to pass +Ardshiel, and the shrieks of laughter and merriment that reached her as +she hurried by were anything but agreeable to her ears. +</P> + +<P> +'Jasmine <I>might</I> have more feeling,' thought the angry girl. 'Gentian +might think of her poor lonely sister. Delphinium ought by rights to +be sobbing instead of laughing. We were always such friends; but +there, if this goes on, Scotland won't see much more of me. I used to +be all for the bonnie Highlands, but I 'm not that any more. I 'll go +to cold London and take a place as kitchen-maid. I won't be treated as +though I were a nobody, I 'll earn my own bread, I will, and then +perhaps Dump will be sorry. To do so much for a man, and for that man +to absorb himself in arithmetic, is more than a girl can stand.' +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock reached The Paddock between eleven and twelve o'clock. She +marched in boldly to see Mrs Constable employed over some needlework, +which she was doing in a very perfect manner. +</P> + +<P> +'I thought you were coming to teach me this morning, Aunt Cecilia,' +said the girl in a tone of reproach. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs Constable raised her soft gray eyes. 'My dear child,' she said, +'didn't you know that your father and I are not going to teach you any +more? All the teaching in this place will be at Ardshiel.' +</P> + +<P> +'Then how am I to learn?' said Hollyhock, in a tone of frightened +amazement. +</P> + +<P> +'Naturally,' replied Mrs Constable, 'by going to Ardshiel.' +</P> + +<P> +'Never!' replied the angry girl. 'I 'm not wanted. I can make my own +plans. Good-bye. I <I>hate</I> every one.' +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock made a dash toward the door, but Mrs Constable called her +back. +</P> + +<P> +'Won't you help me with this needlework, dear? I should enjoy your +company. I miss my Precious Stones so much.' +</P> + +<P> +'Fudge!' replied Hollyhock. 'I 'm not going to comfort you for your +Precious Stones. Great boobies, I call them, going to a mixed school.' +</P> + +<P> +She dashed away from The Paddock. Again, on her way home, Hollyhock +was entertained by the sounds of mirth at Ardshiel. On this occasion a +number of girls were playing tennis, and her own sisters, Jasmine and +Gentian, blew rapturous kisses to her. This seemed to the unhappy +child to be the last straw. +</P> + +<P> +'Who is that girl?' asked Ivor Chetwode. +</P> + +<P> +'She <I>is</I> my sister,' replied Jasmine. +</P> + +<P> +'Your sister! Then whyever doesn't she come to this splendid school?' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, we 'll get her yet, Ivor.' +</P> + +<P> +'We must,' said Ivor. 'I can see by her face that she 'll be no end of +fun.' +</P> + +<P> +'Fun!' replied Jasmine. 'She 's the very life of The Garden.' +</P> + +<P> +'The Garden? What do you mean by The Garden?' +</P> + +<P> +'That's where we happen to live,' replied Jasmine. +</P> + +<P> +'You are not a weekly pupil, are you, Ivor?' +</P> + +<P> +'No, alas! I 'm not. My home's too far away.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well,' said Jasmine, 'I 'll beg Mrs Macintyre to let me invite you to +dine with us at The Garden on Sunday.' +</P> + +<P> +'But will your sister scowl at me, the same as when you kissed hands to +her just now?' asked Ivor. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh no; but you must be very polite to her. You must try to coax her +in your manly way to become a pupil at the school.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, I 'll do my best,' said Ivor Chetwode. 'She is certainly +handsome, but she has a scowl that I don't like.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, try not to speak against her, Ivor. Remember she is my sister.' +</P> + +<P> +'I am awfully sorry, Jasmine, and I do think you 're a ripping kind of +girl.' +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock sat down to the midday meal at The Garden in exceedingly low +spirits, but her father had now got through what she called his +arithmetic, and was full of mirth. He ate heartily and laughed +heartily, and said in his most cheery voice, 'Well, my pet Hollyhock, +you and your Dumpy Dad must make the best of each other.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh Dumps, do you <I>want</I> me to stay with you?' +</P> + +<P> +'Why not? What do you think?' +</P> + +<P> +'Dumpy, I've had a miserable morning.' +</P> + +<P> +'I 'm sorry for that, my little Flower; but it need not happen again. +You ought not to be unhappy. You 'll have holidays always from now +onwards.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh daddy, am I never to learn anything more?' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, I don't exactly know how you can. The teaching goes on at +Ardshiel, and as you naturally wish to stay with your father, and as I +naturally wish to keep you, and as the expense of sending my other +Flowers to such a costly school is very great, I have undertaken some +estate work, which must occupy a good deal of my time. Your aunt, too, +dear woman, has secured a post as kindergarten teacher at the great +school. Therefore, my little Hollyhock will have holidays for ever. +She will be our little dunce. Think how jolly that will be!' +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock felt a dreadful lump in her throat. She managed, however, to +eat, and she struggled hard to hide her great chagrin. +</P> + +<P> +'For the rest of the afternoon I am entirely at your service, my +child,' said Mr Lennox. 'I think it is just precisely the day for a +good long ride on Lightning Speed and Ardshiel. There's a fine, +bright, fresh air about, and it will put roses into your bonnie cheeks. +Get on your habit and we 'll go for a long ride.' +</P> + +<P> +This was better; this was reviving. The horses were led out by the +groom. Hollyhock, who could ride splendidly, was soon seated on the +back of her glorious Arab, Lightning Speed. Her father looked +magnificent beside her on Ardshiel, and away they started riding fast +across country. +</P> + +<P> +They returned home after an hour or two with ravenous appetites, to +find that Duncan, the old serving-man, had lit a great fire of logs in +the hall, and that Tocsin and Curfew were in their usual places, +enjoying the blaze. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock tossed off her little cap and sat down to enjoy tea and +scones to her heart's delight. She now felt that she had done right +not to go to Ardshiel. Her voice rang with merriment, and her father +joined her in her mirth. +</P> + +<P> +But when tea came to an end Lord Ian Douglas, the gentleman of vast +estates whom Mr Lennox was to help as agent, appeared on the scene, and +Hollyhock was forgotten. She was introduced to Lord Ian, who gave her +a very distant bow, and began immediately to talk to his new agent +about crops and manures, turnips, cattle, pigs, all sorts of impossible +and disgusting subjects, according to the angry little Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +Lord Ian did not go away for some hours, and when at last he departed +it was time to dress for dinner. But how Hollyhock did miss the +Precious Stones and The Garden girls! How dull, how gloomy, was the +house! She tried in vain to eat her dinner with appetite, but she saw +that her father looked full of preoccupation, that he hardly regarded +her; in fact, the one and only speech that he made to her was this: +'Douglas is a good sort, and he has given me a vast lot to do. It will +help to pay for the Flowers' education; but I greatly fear, my +Hollyhock, that you will be a great deal alone. In fact, the whole of +to-morrow I have to spend at Dundree, Lord Ian's place. I wish I could +take you with me, my darling; but that is impossible, and I must leave +you now, for I have to look over certain accounts which Lord Ian +brought with him. This is a very lucky stroke of business for me. +Your Dumpy Dad can do a great deal for his Flower Girls by means of +Lord Ian.' +</P> + +<P> +'I hate the man!' burst from Hollyhock's lips. +</P> + +<P> +If her father heard, he took no notice. He calmly left the room. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap08"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VIII. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +HOLLYHOCK LEFT IN THE COLD. +</H4> + +<P> +The fire burned brightly in the ingle-nook, and the dogs, Tocsin and +Curfew, slept in perfect peace in close proximity to its grateful heat; +but Hollyhock was alone—utterly alone. She felt more miserable than +she had ever believed it possible to be in her hitherto joyous life. +She drew up a chair near the hearth, and the dogs came and sniffed at +her; but what were they, compared to Jasmine, Delphinium, and the +Precious Stones? As to Dumpy Dad, she could never have believed that +he would treat his little girl in such a heartless manner. Had she not +given up all for him, and was this her reward? +</P> + +<P> +She felt a great lump in her throat, and a very fierce anger burned +within her breast. What right had Dumpy Dad and Aunt Cecilia to +forsake the only child who was true to them? The others were off and +away at their learning and their fun, perchance; but she, Hollyhock, +the faithful and the true, had remained at home when the others had +deserted it. She had been firm and decided, and here was her +reward—the reward of utter desolation. +</P> + +<P> +'Get away, Curfew,' she said, as the faithful greyhound pushed his long +nose into her hand. +</P> + +<P> +Curfew raised gentle, pleading brown eyes to her face; but being of the +sort that never retorts, he lay down again, with a sigh of +disappointment, close to Tocsin. He, too, was feeling the change, for +he was a very human dog, and missed the Flower Girls and the Precious +Stones, and the dear, dear master and Mrs Constable, just as Hollyhock +did. +</P> + +<P> +But what was the use of making a fuss? According to Curfew's creed, it +was wrong to grumble. Hollyhock did not want him. He lay down with +his long tail on Hollyhock's frock, and his beautiful head pressed +against Tocsin's neck. Tocsin was a magnificent bloodhound, and he was +the greatest support and comfort to Curfew at the present crisis. +</P> + +<P> +By-and-by Mr Lennox passed hurriedly through the hall. He was going +into his special library to get some books. He saw the melancholy +figure of Hollyhock seated not far from the great fire, and the +faithful dogs lying at her feet. He said in his most cheerful tone, +'Hallo, my little girl! you and the dogs do make a pretty picture; but +why don't you play the organ or sing something at the piano?' +</P> + +<P> +'You know, daddy, I have no real love for music,' said Hollyhock in a +cross voice. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, well, then, take a book, my child. Here 's a nice story I can +recommend you—<I>Treasure Island</I>, by Louis Stevenson.' +</P> + +<P> +'I hate reading,' she said. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, I'm afraid I can't help you, dear. I'm frightfully busy, and +shall not get to bed until past midnight. Taking up this new work +means a great deal, and you know, my Flower Girl, your Dumpy Dad, as +you like to call him, is the very last person in the world to do a +thing by halves. If I have to sit up till morning, I must do so in +order to be prepared for Dundree and Lord Ian to-morrow. Perhaps, +dear, you had best kiss me and say good-night.' +</P> + +<P> +'Daddy—daddy—I 'm so—miserable!' +</P> + +<P> +'Sorry, my child; but I can't see why you should be. You have all the +comforts that love and sympathy can bestow upon you.' +</P> + +<P> +'No, no; I am alone,' half sobbed Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'Don't get hysterical, my child. That is really very bad for you; but, +anyhow, I 've no time to waste now over a little girl who is surrounded +by blessings.' +</P> + +<P> +'If Daddy Dumps goes on much longer in that strain I shall absolutely +begin to hate him,' thought the furious child. 'The bare idea of his +<I>thinking</I> of talking to me as he has done.—No, Curfew, <I>don't</I>! Put +your cold nose away.' +</P> + +<P> +Curfew heaved another heavy sigh and lay closer to Tocsin, and with a +smaller portion of his tail on Hollyhock's dress. +</P> + +<P> +Now the olden custom at The Garden and The Paddock—that lovely custom +which had suddenly ceased—was music, dancing, games, fun, shrieks of +laughter from Precious Stones and Flower Girls, the hearty peal of a +man's voice when he was thoroughly enjoying himself, the gentle, +restrained merriment of a lady. This lady was Mrs Constable, who was +now going to be a kindergarten teacher, forsooth! And this man was +Dumpy Dad, who was going to be an agent, indeed! No wonder the girl +and the dogs felt lonely. The end of the happy evenings had arrived. +One evening used to be spent at The Garden, the next at The Paddock; +and then the delightful good-byes, the cheerful talk about the early +meeting on the morrow, and if it was the evening for The Paddock, the +lively and merry walk home with Daddy Dumps and the other Flower Girls. +</P> + +<P> +Oh, how things were changed! What an unbearable woman Aunt Agnes was! +What a horror was Mrs Macintyre! Had not those two between them simply +swept four of the Flower Girls out of sight, and <I>all</I> the Precious +Stones; and, in addition, had not Dumpy Dad and Aunt Cecilia undertaken +some kind of menial work with regard to Dundree and Ardshiel? It was +solely and entirely because of Ardshiel that Dumpy Dad was going to be +an agent. It was entirely on account of Ardshiel that Aunt Cecilia was +going to stoop to be a sort of nursery-governess. Well and cleverly +had those wicked women, Aunt Agnes and Mrs Macintyre, laid their plans. +'But the plans o' the de'il never prosper,' thought Hollyhock. +'They'll come to their senses yet; but meanwhile what am <I>I</I> to do? +How ever am I to stand this awful loneliness?' Hollyhock was not a +specially clever child. She was passionate, fierce, and loving; but +she was also rebellious and very determined. There was a great deal in +her which might make her a fine woman by-and-by; but, on the other +hand, there was much in her which showed that she could be, and might +be, utterly ruined. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly a wild and naughty idea entered her brain. Nothing, not all +the coaxing, not all the petting, not all the language in all the +world, would get her to go to Ardshiel as a pupil; but might she not go +there now, and peep in at the windows and see for herself what was +going on, what awful process was transforming the Flower Girls and the +Precious Stones into other and different beings? +</P> + +<P> +Her father had said good-night to her, but it was still quite +early—between eight and nine o'clock. The Ardshielites, those wicked +ones, would still be up. She would have time to go there, to look in +and see for herself what was going on. +</P> + +<P> +She was the sort of girl who did nothing by halves. The servants had +no occasion to come into the hall again that night. Ah yes, here was +Duncan; she had better say something to him in order to lull his +suspicions. +</P> + +<P> +The old man came in and began to close the shutters. 'Don't ye sit up +ower long, Miss Hollyhock. Ye must be feelin' a bit dowy without the +ithers, bless them.' +</P> + +<P> +'No, I don't, Duncan,' replied Hollyhock. 'But, all the same, I 'd +best go to bed, I expect.' +</P> + +<P> +'Weel, that 's exactly what I 'm thinkin',' said the old man. 'Ye 'll +gang to your rest and have a fine sleep. That's what a body wants when +she's eaten up wi' loneliness. I ken fine that ye are missin' the +ithers, lassie.' +</P> + +<P> +'I'm not missing them a bit,' replied Hollyhock. 'As if I could miss +<I>traitors</I>.' +</P> + +<P> +'Come, come, noo; don't be talkin' that way.' Here Duncan shut the +great shutters with a bang. 'Why should a young maid talk so ignorant? +Ye 'll be a' richt yet, lassie; but there, ye 're lonesome, my bonnie +dearie.' +</P> + +<P> +'Suppose, now, you had been me, Duncan, what would you have done?' said +Hollyhock suddenly. +</P> + +<P> +'Why, gone to Ardshiel, of course.' +</P> + +<P> +'Duncan, I hate you. You 're another traitor.' +</P> + +<P> +'No, I'm no,' said Duncan; 'but I ken what's richt, and I ken what's +wrang, and when a little lass chooses betwixt and between, why, I says +to myself, says I, "Halt a wee, and the cantie lass'll come round," +says I. Shall I take the dogs or no, Miss Hollyhock?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, take them; I don't want them,' said Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'The poor maister, he's that loaded wi' work.— Come away, doggies; +come away.— Guid-nicht to ye, missie; guid-nicht. Bed's the richt +place for ye. I 'm sorry that Magsie 's no here to cuddle ye a bit.' +</P> + +<P> +'Thanks; I'm glad she's gone. I hate her,' said Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'Ay,' said the old man, coming close to the child and looking into her +eyes. 'Isn't it a wee bit o' the de'il ye hae in ye the nicht, wi' +your talkin' o' hatin' them that luves ye!—Come, doggies; come. My +poor beasties, ye 'll want your rest; and there's no place like bed for +missie hersel'.' +</P> + +<P> +'You 'd best go to your own bed, too, Duncan,' called Hollyhock after +him. 'You are a very impertinent old man, and getting past your work.' +</P> + +<P> +'Past my work, am I, now? Aweel, ye 'll see! Guid-nicht, miss. I +bear no malice, although I pity the poor maister.' +</P> + +<P> +Duncan departed, taking the greyhound and the bloodhound with him. As +soon as she was quite sure that he had gone, and silence, deep and +complete, had fallen on the house, Hollyhock took down an old cloak +from where it hung in a certain part of the hall, and wrapping it +firmly round her shoulders, went out into the night. It was better out +of doors—less suffocating, less lonely—and the girl's terribly low +spirits began to rise. She was in for an adventure, and what Scots +lassie did not love an adventure? +</P> + +<P> +So she crept stealthily down the avenue, slipped through the smaller of +the gates, and presently found herself on the highroad. It was still +comparatively early, and certainly neither Lennox nor old Duncan missed +her. Duncan thought she was in bed; Lennox was too absorbed in his +heavy work to give his naughty little girl a thought. She had chosen +to stay behind. It was very troublesome and awkward of her, but he was +confident that her rebellious spirit would not last long. Accordingly +Hollyhock went the short distance which divided Ardshiel from The +Garden, entered by the great iron gates, and walked up the stately +avenue toward the beautiful mansion, where her own sisters were +traitorously and wickedly enjoying themselves. +</P> + +<P> +'But let them wait until lessons begin,' thought Hollyhock; 'let them +wait until that woman puts the birch on to them; then perhaps they 'll +see who's right—I, the faithful, noble girl, who would not desert her +father, or they, who have just gone off to Ardshiel for a bit of +excitement.' +</P> + +<P> +Ardshiel really looked remarkably pretty as Hollyhock drew near. It +was illuminated by electric light from attic to cellar, and there was +such a buzz of young voices, such an eager amount of talk, such peals +of happy, childish laughter, that Hollyhock was led thereby in the +right direction, and could peep into a very large room which was +arranged as a vast playroom on the ground floor, and where all the +children at present at Ardshiel were clustered together. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock, wearing her dark cloak, looked in. The blinds had not yet +been pulled down, and one window was partly open. She therefore saw a +sight which caused her heart to ache with furious jealousy. Her own +sister Jasmine was talking to a girl whom she addressed as Barbara. +Her own sister Rose of the Garden was chatting bravely with a girl whom +she addressed as Augusta. Hollyhock could not help observing that both +Barbara and Augusta were particularly nice-looking girls, with fair +English faces and refined English voices. All the children were +dressed for the evening. +</P> + +<P> +'So <I>affected</I> at a school,' thought Hollyhock; 'but the birch-rod +woman will be on them soon, if I 'm not mistaken.' +</P> + +<P> +There was, however, a boy present who specially drew her attention and +even forced her admiration. He was a remarkably handsome boy, and his +name was Ivor. What his surname was Hollyhock could not guess. She +only knew that she had never seen such beautiful blue eyes before; and +such a manner, too, he had—almost like a man. Why, Jasper, Garnet, +Sapphire, Opal, and Emerald could not touch him even for a moment—that +is, as far as appearance and ways went. +</P> + +<P> +While she gazed in at the window, who should come up to this boy but +her own sister Gentian! She took the boy by the arm and said, 'Now +let's sit in a circle and think out our charade for Monday night.' +</P> + +<P> +Ivor gave a smile. He looked with admiration at Gentian, whom +Hollyhock always considered very plain. Instantly chairs were drawn +into a circle, and an excited conversation began. +</P> + +<P> +The birch-rod woman was a long time in appearing! Hollyhock's black +eyes were fixed on the blue eyes of Ivor. It would certainly <I>not</I> be +unpleasant to talk to a boy of that sort; but he seemed quite devoted +to Gentian—poor, plain, little Gentian—while she, Hollyhock, the +beauty of the family, was standing out in the cold; and it <I>was</I> cold +on that September night, with a touch of frost just breathing through +the air. Hollyhock felt herself shiver; then, all of a sudden, her +patience gave way. Those children should not be so happy, while she +was so wretched. She got behind the window where no one could see her, +and shouted in a loud, cracked voice, which she assumed for the +purpose, 'Oh! the ghost! the ghost!' +</P> + +<P> +She then rushed down the avenue, fearing to be caught and discovered. +She ran so fast that her long cloak tripped her, and she suddenly fell +and cut her lip. When she came to herself she had to wipe some stains +of blood away from her injured lip with her handkerchief. +</P> + +<P> +She just reached the lodge gates in time to shout once again, 'The +ghost! the ghost!' when the woman who lived in the lodge came out, +prepared to lock up for the night. +</P> + +<P> +'Who may you be?' said the woman. +</P> + +<P> +'I'm the ghost. Let me through!' screamed Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +And she really looked so frightful, with her big black eyes, and +blood-stained face, and streaming lip, that the woman, who was a +stranger, and did not know her, called out, 'Get ye gone at once or +I'll set the dogs on you. The shortest road ye can go'll be the best. +Ye 're not a ghost, but a poor cracked body.' +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock was sincerely glad to find herself once again on the +highroad, but in some mysterious way her dislike for Ardshiel had +vanished, and she felt furiously angry with Ivor Chetwode for daring to +take notice of her plain sister, Gentian. +</P> + +<P> +She got into the house without much difficulty, bathed her swollen lip, +and retired to bed to think of Ivor's blue eyes. What a nice boy he +must be!—a real bonnie lad, one <I>worth</I> talking to. Why should a girl +be a dunce all her days, when there was such a laddie at Ardshiel? Ah, +well, she would know more about Master Ivor before long. +</P> + +<P> +She slept soundly, and forgot the troubles of her miserable day. In +her dreams she thought of the Precious Stones and Ivor, and imagined +them all fighting hard to gain the goodwill of Gentian, who was a +freckled little girl, not to be named with her, Hollyhock. If that was +the sort of thing that went on at Ardshiel, and the birch-woman did +<I>not</I> appear, it must be rather a nice place, when all was said and +done. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap09"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IX. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE WOMAN WHO INTERFERED. +</H4> + +<P> +There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; +and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience—for she had been +mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham +College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, +until her marriage, been a teacher—knew well what special difficulties +she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school. There was no +reason, however, why such schools should not exist, and do well. But +she knew they had a fight before them, and that conflict lay in her +path. She did not, however, know that this conflict was to take place +so soon. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs Macintyre was a good deal surprised by what followed Hollyhock's +stolen visit to Ardshiel. The children—boys and girls alike—were now +hard at work at their daily tasks. The first day passed splendidly. +The Precious Stones became extremely great friends with Roger Carden, +Ivor Chetwode, and Henry Anstel. There were also some other boys whose +parents were negotiating to send their sons to Mrs Macintyre, for the +fame of her school and the beauty of its surroundings were much talked +of, and the idea of a mixed school highly pleased some people, while it +equally annoyed others. +</P> + +<P> +It was on the first Saturday morning, when the Precious Stones and the +Flower Girls were to return home, that Mrs Macintyre was informed by +one of her servants (Magsie, no less) that a lady, a Mrs Maclure, had +called, and was waiting to see her in the white drawing-room. Mrs +Macintyre's husband had been Scots, and she herself was Scots. She +therefore knew many of the Edinburgh people, and had drawn upon this +knowledge in getting pupils for her school. She wondered if Mrs +Maclure was a certain Jane Scott whom she knew in her youth, and who +had married a Dr Maclure. She felt not a little surprise at this visit +at so early and important an hour. +</P> + +<P> +'The leddy kens ye are busy, but will not keep you long,' said Magsie, +who was struggling in vain to acquire an English accent. +</P> + +<P> +'I will be with her immediately,' said Mrs Macintyre, and Magsie +tripped away, her eyes very bright. She was enjoying herself +immensely. As a matter of fact she had never known real life before. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs Macintyre went at once into the drawing-room, having given +different orders to her teachers to proceed with their work, and +promising to be with them again before long. The moment she entered +the drawing-room she gave a little gasp of pleasure. +</P> + +<P> +'Why, Jane, is it indeed you?' she could not help remarking. +</P> + +<P> +'Ah, yes, Elsie, it's no other.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, sit down, Jane, won't you?' +</P> + +<P> +'I suppose I 've come at an inconvenient time, Elsie?' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, I do happen to be busy.' +</P> + +<P> +I can't help that, my dear,' said Mrs Maclure. 'The business that +hurries me to your side is too urgent and important to brook a moment's +delay.' +</P> + +<P> +'Dear me, what can be wrong?' said Mrs Macintyre. +</P> + +<P> +'I'm told that you keep a mixed school.' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, I do. I have a few small boys here.' +</P> + +<P> +'Shocking!' said Mrs Maclure. +</P> + +<P> +'What do you mean, Jane? Why shouldn't the boys be here?' +</P> + +<P> +'This is a costly place,' said Mrs Maclure, looking round her. 'The +laying out of it must have cost a deal of money.' +</P> + +<P> +'It did; but generous friends helped, and the Duke was not stingy with +his purse.' +</P> + +<P> +'I don't want to know any of the financial particulars,' continued Mrs +Maclure. 'But tell me one thing, Elsie. Do you want your school to +pay?' +</P> + +<P> +'Of course I do.' +</P> + +<P> +'Ah, I thought as much. Now, I 'll tell you what it is, Elsie. I have +come here with a scheme, and if you see your way to carry it out, why, +the school will pay, and pay again and again; but there must be no +mixing in it. I mean by that, the eggs must be in one basket and the +butter in another.' +</P> + +<P> +'You puzzle me very much, Jane.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, I was always outspoken, my dear, and I heard of your trials, and +your noble courage, and the fact that you 'd got hold of one of the +bonniest bits of land in the whole of Scotland. Why, Ardshiel could be +full over and over again if it wasn't mixed. But mixed it must not be.' +</P> + +<P> +'I 'm very sorry to displease you, Jane,' said Mrs Macintyre; 'but the +thing cannot be altered now. I have, after all, at the present moment +only got eight boys in my school, although others will probably arrive. +I cannot turn those dear little fellows out.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, then, the girls must go.' +</P> + +<P> +'No; I mean to keep my girls.' +</P> + +<P> +'Elsie, you were always obstinacy personified. You've got a good +school in a lovely spot, within easy reach of Glasgow and Edinburgh, +and also capable of receiving children from different parts of England. +The establishment is in working order. Now pray tell me how many you +have got in the school?' +</P> + +<P> +Mrs Macintyre said, 'Reckoning the boys first, I have got eight, as I +said; but I have had letters this morning from several parents who wish +to send their sons to my school.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, we 'll say eight boys,' said Mrs Maclure. 'I suppose they are +quite babies?' +</P> + +<P> +'Not at all. Jasper is fifteen. He is the eldest boy in the school, +but will only stay for a year, as he has been very well taught by his +gifted mother and by Mr Lennox, the father of my sweet little Flower +Girls, as I call them.' +</P> + +<P> +'Elsie, you are becoming sadly romantic. It runs in the blood. You +must be careful. Fancy a big boy of fifteen in a girls' school.' +</P> + +<P> +'He's a gentleman and my right hand,' said Mrs Macintyre. +</P> + +<P> +'That has nothing whatsoever to do with it. He's fifteen, and ought to +be in a public school.' +</P> + +<P> +'He wants a year's training before he can go to Eton. He is a +singularly gifted lad, and is the life of the house.' +</P> + +<P> +'He must be the life of some other house. Now, then, for the girls. +How many of them have you got?' +</P> + +<P> +'To begin with, I've got Lucy, Margaret, Rose, and Dorothy Lennox; +their father is the Honourable George Lennox, who lives in a house +called The Garden close by.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, go on. I suppose you have more girls than that. That makes +four. Now proceed with the rest.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, there's Lady Leucha Villiers.' +</P> + +<P> +'You don't say so!' +</P> + +<P> +'I do, my friend. Her mother, the Countess of Crossways, has entrusted +her to my care.' +</P> + +<P> +'You amaze me!' +</P> + +<P> +'Perhaps I shall amaze you further. I have also got the Ladies Barbara +and Dorothy Fraser, daughters of the Marquis of Killin.' +</P> + +<P> +'You astound me!' +</P> + +<P> +'Then I have the Honourable Daisy Watson. In addition I have Miss +Augusta Fane, Miss Agnes Featherstonhaugh'—— +</P> + +<P> +'Good name that,' muttered Mrs Maclure. +</P> + +<P> +'Miss Margaret Drummond.' +</P> + +<P> +'I know them well—Scots to the backbone,' said Mrs Maclure. +</P> + +<P> +'Miss Mary Barton,' continued Mrs Macintyre, 'Miss Nancy Greenfield, +Miss Isabella Macneale, Miss Jane Calvert.' +</P> + +<P> +'Now let 's count how many you have got in the school,' said Mrs +Maclure. 'Everything <I>sounds</I> well, but the boys will ruin the whole +affair.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, nonsense, Jane. If only you were not so narrow-minded.' +</P> + +<P> +'I know the world, my dear friend, and I don't want the best school in +Scotland to be spoiled for the lack of a little care—care bestowed +upon it at the right moment. Your girls, counting the Lennoxes, make +fifteen. Altogether in the school you have therefore twenty-three +children. How many teachers, pray?' +</P> + +<P> +Mrs Macintyre was never known to be angry, but she felt almost inclined +to be so now. She mentioned the number of her tutors, her foreign +governesses, and her English teachers—the best-trained teachers from +her own beloved Cheltenham. +</P> + +<P> +'How many servants?' was Mrs Maclure's next query. +</P> + +<P> +'Really, Jane, you are keeping me from my duties; but as you have come +all the way from Edinburgh to question me so closely, I will confess +that I have got ten indoor servants; that, of course, includes the +housekeeper and a trained nurse in case of illness.' +</P> + +<P> +'Dear, dear!' exclaimed Mrs Maclure. 'Prodigious! And then, I +presume, you get special masters and mistresses from Glasgow and +Edinburgh.' +</P> + +<P> +'I certainly do. The school is a first-rate one.' +</P> + +<P> +'My poor Elsie, it won't be first-rate long. You are taking all this +enormous expense and trouble for twenty-three children. How many can +your school hold?' +</P> + +<P> +'My school could hold quite seventy pupils,' said Mrs Macintyre; 'but +you must remember that it was only opened last Tuesday. Really, I +greatly fear that I shall have to leave you, Jane. This is a +half-holiday, and I have a special class to attend to.' +</P> + +<P> +'Let your special class go. Listen to the words of wisdom. The fame +of your school has spread to Edinburgh; it has been talked about; it +has been commented on. It is for that reason, and that reason alone, +that I have come here to-day. Put the boys into an annex, and provide +them with the necessary teachers—men, of course, if possible. Keep +the girls, and I'll engage to get you ten fresh pupils from Edinburgh +early next week, twenty from London—that's thirty—and several more +from Glasgow, also Liverpool, Manchester, and different parts of +England; and when I say I <I>can</I> engage to do this, and fill your school +to the necessary number of seventy, I speak with confidence, <I>for I +know</I>. The ladies are dying to send their lassies to you, but the +mixed school prohibits it. I have no wish or desire to stop the +co-education of girls and boys, but to have those of the upper classes +mixing in the same boarding school won't go down in this country, Elsie +Macintyre. No, it won't do. Now, let me think. You speak of five +boys from the neighbourhood—who are their parents?' +</P> + +<P> +'They are the sons of my dear friend Mrs Constable, whose husband, +Major Constable, fell in the late war in South Africa.' +</P> + +<P> +'And the eldest is fifteen?' +</P> + +<P> +Yes.' +</P> + +<P> +'Where does Mrs Constable live?' +</P> + +<P> +'A very short way from here, at a place called The Paddock.' +</P> + +<P> +'And you think well of the woman?' +</P> + +<P> +'Cecilia Constable! She is delightful. Why, the dear soul has sent +her boys to my school, and comes here herself daily to undertake +kindergarten work in order to help her to pay the expenses of her +children.' +</P> + +<P> +'Bravo!' said Mrs Maclure. 'Why, of course, she can take them all. Is +her house a good size? Has it a respectable appearance?' +</P> + +<P> +'It is a beautiful house, the home of a true lady.' +</P> + +<P> +'So much the better. The thing is as right as rain. Is she here now?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, and very busy.' +</P> + +<P> +'I must see her. I cannot lose this golden chance for you, Elsie. Her +own five sons, and Master Henry de Courcy Anstel, Roger Carden, and +Ivor Chetwode, shall all move to The Paddock on Monday next. She will, +of course, be the head of the house, and tutors will be provided for +the instruction of the boys. I can assure you, Elsie, that neither I +nor my friends will have the least objection to your girls and her boys +playing games together and meeting at each other's homes. And now I +think I have done you a good turn. I have saved Ardshiel from ruin, +and The Paddock, or, if you prefer it, the Annex, will hold the boys, +old or young, who may wish to go there. Please send Mrs Constable to +see me, for I must immediately communicate with my friends. Ardshiel +will be packed by this day week, if Mrs Constable proves satisfactory.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, really, I don't know what to think,' said Mrs Macintyre. +'Perhaps you are right, and I know dear Cecilia would like to have her +boys back with her again. I 'll send her to you.' +</P> + +<P> +Nobody could look into the gentle, gray eyes of Cecilia Constable +without feeling an instinctive trust in her, which was quickly, very +quickly, to ripen into love. All those who knew her loved her, for she +was made for love and self-sacrifice. Forgetting herself, she thought +ever and always of others; and when, in her quiet, Quaker-like dress, +she entered the room, Mrs Maclure said, under her breath, 'Good +gracious, what a beautiful creature! How admirably she will manage the +Annex!' +</P> + +<P> +It was not likely that Mrs Constable had parted with her five boys with +any sense of joy, and it was not lightly that she had undertaken the +duties of kindergarten mistress at Ardshiel; but right to her was +right, and it seemed the only way to pay expenses. As Mrs Maclure +unfolded her scheme the gray eyes grew bright and the lips trembled. +</P> + +<P> +'But does Mrs Macintyre consent?' she said at last. 'Your proposal +truly amazes me; but, oh, am I worthy?' +</P> + +<P> +'I feel you <I>are worthy</I>. Mrs Macintyre was loath at first to lose the +boys, but the lads cannot stay in a mixed school. If you agree, you +have only to say the word, and your sons will return to you. But +please understand that they must look on you as their <I>mother, not</I> as +their teacher. The Reverend James Cadell of the neighbouring parish +will come to you every morning to instruct them in Latin and Greek. I +will get other teachers for you from Mrs Macintyre's, and there is no +earthly reason for keeping the boys and the girls apart. Only I +protest that they shall not live in the same school. Why, now, there's +Alan Anderson, and there's Davie Maclure, my own first cousin. Alan +Anderson and Davie can live in the house, and Mr Cadell will come over +every morning. He 'll ride his bicycle and be with you in good time. +If you know of anything better, which I doubt, you have but to say the +word. Now, then, I have my motor-car at the door. We 'll drive right +away to The Paddock and see the rooms for the lads and teachers. Don't +you fear, my dear; I'll help you with your Annex as heartily as I'll +help Elsie Macintyre with her great school.' +</P> + +<P> +'I must go and ask Mrs Macintyre's leave,' said Mrs Constable. 'This +sounds like a wonderful and delightful dream.' +</P> + +<P> +'My only dread,' thought Mrs Maclure to herself whilst waiting for Mrs +Constable to join her, 'is that that good man, James Cadell, will lose +his heart to her. I must give her a word of warning. He is a bit +susceptible, and she's a rare and beautiful woman.' +</P> + +<P> +On their way to The Paddock Mrs Maclure did impart her fears to Mrs +Constable, but that dear lady's sweetest and gravest of eyes looked at +her so reproachfully that she felt sorry she had spoken, and only +pressed her hand. +</P> + +<P> +The Paddock was large and roomy, and all arrangements for the Annex +school could quickly be made. The boys were to be informed that they +were not going home, but to an adjacent school; only the school was to +be, for five of them, <I>mother's house</I>. Oh, was not that delightful? +</P> + +<P> +So it came about that the Annex was established, and Cecilia Constable +knelt down and thanked God most earnestly for His great mercies. Oh, +how more than happy she would be once again! Now there was only one +little black sheep to be put right. Poor, lonely, prickly Holly! She +would see to it that the child entered Ardshiel, when her boys and the +three strange boys left the Palace of the Kings. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap10"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER X. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +A MISERABLE GIRL. +</H4> + +<P> +Whether or not Hollyhock took a chill on that night when she peeped in +at the gay group at Ardshiel can never be quite established, but +certain it is that when her four sisters—those beloved and yet +traitorous sisters—rushed wildly back to The Garden on the following +Saturday afternoon, they found Hollyhock lying in bed, perhaps cross, +perhaps ill; anyhow, to all appearance, quite indifferent to their +presence. +</P> + +<P> +Jasmine stood and stared at her sister in amazement. So also did +Gentian and Rose and Delphinium. What could be the matter with their +flower maid, their darling? +</P> + +<P> +On their return home they were greeted by the information that the +master was away on business, and that Miss Hollyhock was upstairs. +</P> + +<P> +'In bed, I take it,' said old Duncan. 'It seems a pity for her not to +be down to greet ye, my dearies, but I do declare I canna make out what +ails her. She's poorly, the dear lass; but she 'll no say that she's +ill.' +</P> + +<P> +'But where is father, Duncan?' asked Jasmine in a dazed sort of voice. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, the maister! He is weel enough, but he is that taken up wi' the +work o' Lord Ian Douglas that he canna gie much time to his lonesome +child. You must get her to school, Miss Jasmine; you must get her to +school, Miss Gentian.' +</P> + +<P> +'Of course we must, Duncan,' said Jasmine; 'and, oh! it is a right +splendid school.' +</P> + +<P> +'I'm thinkin' that mysel',' said Duncan, 'for Magsie, she came ower one +nicht and declared that there was not the like o' Ardshiel in the +length and breadth o' bonnie Scotland. But dear, dear, I was like to +forget. The maister, guid man, gave me a letter which he wrote this +mornin' to you, Miss Jasmine, and you was to have it at once.' +</P> + +<P> +'Thank you, Duncan. I 'll take the letter and go at once to Hollyhock.' +</P> + +<P> +The letter in question was read by all four girls at once, and was +simply to the effect that the young Precious Stones would dine with +them on the morrow, as well as Master Ivor Chetwode. In fact, Mr +Lennox had already written a letter to Mrs Macintyre, acquainting her +with his desire. +</P> + +<P> +'Then that's all right,' said Jasmine. 'Dad did get my letter. I was +a bit surprised at his being so long in answering it. Well, we 'll go +to Hollyhock now. Poor Ivor would have been terribly disappointed if +he had been left out of The Garden treat.' +</P> + +<P> +While this conversation was taking place Hollyhock was listening +intently from her small bed. She would not for the world let the girls +think that she missed school, and the only chance of keeping up this +deception was by retiring to bed and feigning illness. Not that she +felt <I>quite</I> well; she was altogether too lonely and miserable for +that. She had not a book to read; she had not a thing to do. The dogs +were off with their master, and she had hardly even an animal to speak +to, with the exception of the kitchen cat, which came up and lay on her +bed, until she shooed her off with quick, angry words. +</P> + +<P> +Well, Saturday had come, and the girls had come, and she must keep up +her supposed illness at any cost, or they would suspect that she was +regretting her decision. But what a time they did take havering with +old Duncan! Tiresome man, Duncan! He was nearly as tiresome as the +dogs, Tocsin and Curfew, and the kitchen cat, Jean. +</P> + +<P> +When the children burst into the room, Hollyhock looked at them out of +her black eyes with a dismal stare. +</P> + +<P> +'Here we are back again,' said Jasmine. 'Haven't you a word of welcome +for us, Holly?' +</P> + +<P> +'Why should I?' replied Hollyhock. 'I 'm suffering from a reeling +head, and can't stand any noise at all.' +</P> + +<P> +'Dear, dear!' exclaimed Gentian. +</P> + +<P> +'I don't want any of <I>your</I> fondling,' said Hollyhock in an angry tone, +for was not Gentian the girl whom the beautiful blue-eyed boy had paid +so much attention to? +</P> + +<P> +'Whatever have <I>I</I> done?' said Gentian in amazement. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, I'll leave it to your conscience. I'm not going to enlighten you.' +</P> + +<P> +'Dear, dear, what <I>can</I> the matter be?' said Delphy. +</P> + +<P> +'Don't talk so loud. Keep your school manners for your school,' said +Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'Dear, deary me!' cried Jasmine in an anxious tone, 'I think we ought +to get the doctor to see her. There's Dr Maguire, and Duncan will +fetch him. He 'll soon put you right, Hollyhock.' +</P> + +<P> +'He won't, for I won't see him,' said Hollyhock. 'Don't you bring him +to this room. I suppose, if I am faithful to my own Daddy Dumps, and +my own dear home, I may at least have my own way with regard to a +doctor. I 'm not ill <I>exactly</I>, but I 'm reeling in the head, and no +one can force me to have a doctor except Daddy Dumps, and he's away +with Lord Ian at Dundree until dinner-time.' +</P> + +<P> +'All the Precious Stones are coming over for dinner,' said Rose, as +softly as she could speak. +</P> + +<P> +'Are they? I don't want them.' +</P> + +<P> +'But they are coming all the same, Hollyhock, and so is Aunt Cecilia; +and to-morrow they are coming again with that dear boy Ivor Chetwode.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, is that his name?' said Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'How can you know anything about his name?' said Jasmine in +astonishment. +</P> + +<P> +'Ask Gentian; perhaps <I>she'll</I> tell you,' said Hollyhock with a wicked +glance out of her black eyes at her sister's pale-gray ones. +</P> + +<P> +But Gentian shook her head in bewilderment. 'She ought to see a +doctor,' was her remark. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh yes,' cried Hollyhock; 'but though she <I>ought</I>, she <I>won't</I>; and +neither you nor that old Duncan can force me to; and I don't wish to +hear a thing about your precious school, so for goodness' sake don't +begin. You know the old proverb that new brooms sweep clean. Well, +the school is a very new one, and the brooms are very new also. I +expect you won't be in such <I>pretended</I> raptures after another week or +two, while I, the faithful one, remain at home, to do my duty.' +</P> + +<P> +The four Flower Girls gazed in consternation at one another. They were +certainly distressed when Hollyhock refused to go to school with them, +but her behaviour on the first day of their return altogether upset +them; and as for poor little Delphy, it was with difficulty that she +could keep the tears back from her eyes. +</P> + +<P> +'There! Shoo! Get the cat out,' cried Hollyhock, as Jean was again +putting in an appearance. +</P> + +<P> +'Why, poor old darling!' exclaimed Gentian, 'she sha'n't be scolded, +that she sha'n't. I 'll take her away to my room and pet her.' +</P> + +<P> +'No, you won't; you'll do nothing of the sort. She's the only thing +that now clings to me, and I 'm not going to have <I>you</I> sneaking round +and winning her affections.' +</P> + +<P> +'Why, you wanted her to go, Hollyhock. Really, I don't know you,' +cried Gentian. +</P> + +<P> +'I dare say you don't. You have "other fish to fry."' +</P> + +<P> +The four girls felt for the first time in their lives really angry with +their favourite sister. Hollyhock, simply to spite Gentian, called in +a coaxing tone to Jean, who now jumped on the bed and purred loudly, +while Hollyhock stroked her fur, doing it, however, very often the +wrong way, which form of endearment tries all cats, even a kitchen cat. +</P> + +<P> +'There, you see for yourselves, she 's the only one left to love me,' +said Hollyhock. 'Oh, for goodness' sake, don't rush at me with your +sham kisses! I can't abide them, or you. Get away, will you, and +leave me in peace!—Jean, poor beastie! And do you love your little +mistress? You are the only one I have got, Jean, my bonnie pussie; the +only one who, like myself, is faithful and true.' +</P> + +<P> +It was just at that moment, when Jean had sunk into placid slumber and +the Flower Girls were intending to leave the room, that there came a +gentle, very gentle, knock at the door. +</P> + +<P> +'Who can be there now?' said Hollyhock. 'Whoever it is will wake the +cat.— There, my bonnie beastie, sleep away. Don't you know that you +and I are the two lonely ones of the family?' +</P> + +<P> +The amazed Jean cuddled up closer than ever to Hollyhock, and the next +minute the door was quietly opened by Mrs Constable. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, children,' she said, 'the boys are downstairs, so I thought you +might like to see them. I 'm very sorry to perceive that our little +Hollyhock isn't well. This is a sad blow, when one has a rare holiday +and has looked forward to it. But I want to have a talk with Hollyhock +all by myself.' +</P> + +<P> +'You won't bring me round, so don't think it,' said Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +But Mrs Constable, taking no notice of these words, motioned to the +other four Flower Girls to leave the room. She then proceeded to make +up the fire brightly and to straighten Hollyhock's disordered bed. +</P> + +<P> +'Now, my child, what 's wrong with you?' she said in that voice so +melting and so sweet that few could resist it. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, Aunt Cecil, I'm so unhappy—I'm alone. I have no one to love me +now but Jean.' +</P> + +<P> +'Poor little Jean! She seems very happy,' said Mrs Constable; 'but I'm +afraid she'll make dirty marks on your white counterpane, child.' +</P> + +<P> +'As if I cared. I'd stand more than that for love.' +</P> + +<P> +'Now, Hollyhock,' replied Mrs Constable, 'I must get to the bottom of +this. You are my own dear little girl, remember, and I must find out +whether you are ill or not.' +</P> + +<P> +'Of course I 'm ill; that is, I 'm a little ill.' +</P> + +<P> +'I have a thermometer with me. I'll take your temperature,' said Mrs +Constable. +</P> + +<P> +'Auntie, I would so much rather you didn't.' +</P> + +<P> +'I 'm afraid I must, child; for if you have a temperature, I must send +for Dr Maguire.' +</P> + +<P> +'I won't see him!' +</P> + +<P> +'You need not, my child, if you have no temperature. Now, let me try; +for afterwards I have some very exciting news to tell you. None of the +other girls know it yet.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, auntie, you do excite me! Yes, I 'll put the little thermometer +into my mouth. I hope I sha'n't break it, though.' +</P> + +<P> +'You must be careful, Hollyhock; for were you to swallow all that +mercury, it would kill you.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, auntie, what dreadful things you say! Well, stick it in, and then +tell me the news that none of the others know.' +</P> + +<P> +The thermometer was inserted. Hollyhock's temperature was perfectly +normal, and she was then questioned with regard to her throat and her +health generally. In the end Aunt Cecilia pronounced the girl quite +well, and desired her to get up and dress. +</P> + +<P> +'But I—the reeling in my head,' said Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'That will pass, after you have had a nice warm bath and put on one of +your pretty frocks.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, but, auntie, I do want to hear the news.' +</P> + +<P> +'You shall hear it after you are dressed. I don't tell exciting news +to little girls who lie in bed. The effect might be bad for them and +bring on fever.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, auntie, I don't want the servants to come near me.' +</P> + +<P> +'They needn't, child. I'll turn on the hot water in the bath, and then +help you to put on your prettiest dress. Why, Jasper is just pining to +see you. Now, then, no more talk. The hours are passing, and quick 's +the word.' +</P> + +<P> +'Auntie, you have a nice way of saying things.' +</P> + +<P> +'I 'm glad you think so, child.' +</P> + +<P> +'Although you are only a governess at that horrid Ardshiel.' +</P> + +<P> +Mrs Constable was silent. +</P> + +<P> +In a very short time Hollyhock had had her bath. She dressed +luxuriously by the fire in her bedroom, Aunt Cecilia brushing out her +masses of black hair and fastening it back with a large crimson bow. +Aunt Cecilia chose a very pretty dress of softest gray for the little +maid, and then, when the last touch connected with the toilet had been +given, there came a mysterious knock at the door. +</P> + +<P> +'Who can that be?' said Hollyhock, who felt discontented once again. +</P> + +<P> +'Only some one bringing a little food, dear, which I have ordered for +you. You need not see the person who brings it. I will fetch it +myself.' +</P> + +<P> +Accordingly, tea in a lovely old Queen Anne teapot, accompanied by +cream and sugar, hot buttered toast, and an egg, new laid and very +lightly boiled, was placed before Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'But I haven't touched food for nearly twenty-four hours,' said the +wilful child. +</P> + +<P> +'Which accounts for the reeling in your head, my love. Now, then, set +to work and eat.' +</P> + +<P> +'But your news, auntie—your news.' +</P> + +<P> +'After you have eaten, my child—after you have finished all the +contents of this little tray, but not before.' +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock suddenly found herself furiously hungry. She attacked the +toast and egg, and wondered at the sunshiny feeling which had crept +into her heart. +</P> + +<P> +'Now, remember that you are perfectly well, Hollyhock.' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, auntie dear, of course.' +</P> + +<P> +'And there 'll be no more malingering.' +</P> + +<P> +'Whatever's that, Aunt Cecilia?' +</P> + +<P> +'Why, doing what you did—<I>pretending</I> to be ill, and keeping your +family in a state of misery.' +</P> + +<P> +'I won't do it again. Now for your news.' +</P> + +<P> +'I want to make one last condition, Hollyhock.' +</P> + +<P> +'What do you mean?' +</P> + +<P> +'A lonely life does not suit you, my child. When you are forced to +have recourse to the kitchen cat, that proves the case. Now I want you +to go back to Ardshiel with the other girls on Monday.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, oh, <I>auntie</I>!' +</P> + +<P> +'No one wishes for you here, child, and you certainly won't get my +great piece of news unless you make me that promise. You will be as +happy as the day is long at that school.' +</P> + +<P> +'They certainly do <I>look</I> happy,' said Hollyhock, 'and I should like to +see the boy with the blue eyes.' +</P> + +<P> +'The boy with the blue eyes'—— +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, nothing, auntie; nothing. I'll agree. The kitchen cat is poor +company. Now, then, out with your news.' +</P> + +<P> +'You shall have it, dear. God bless you, darling! You have done a +brave thing. And I cannot describe to you the joys of that lovely +school, which you have wilfully absented yourself from. Now sit quite +close to me, and listen to my news.' +</P> + +<P> +Certainly Aunt Cecilia <I>had</I> a winning way. She was always remarkable +for that. She could fight her cause with any one—with man, woman, or +child; and she could fight it in the best possible way, by not fighting +it at all, by simply leaving the matter in the hands of Almighty Love, +by just breathing a gentle prayer for Divine guidance and then going +bravely forward. +</P> + +<P> +This plan of hers had supported her when her beloved husband was killed +in battle; when her bonnie laddies, her Precious Stones, were sent to +Mrs Macintyre's school; and would support her when, according to the +arrangement made between herself and her husband, Major Constable, the +time came for her Precious Stones to go to Eton. +</P> + +<P> +Major Constable had been an Eton boy, and he knew well the spirit of +the gallant words: +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +It's not for the sake of a ribboned coat,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Or the selfish hope of a season's fame,</SPAN><BR> +But his captain's hand on his shoulder smote,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Play up! play up! and play the game!'</SPAN><BR> +This is the word that year by year,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">While in her place the School is set,</SPAN><BR> +Every one of her sons must hear,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">And none that hears it dare forget.</SPAN><BR> +This they all with a joyful mind<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Bear through life like a torch in flame,</SPAN><BR> +And, falling, fling to the host behind—<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">'Play up! play up! and play the game!'</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +Mrs Constable, as she repeated these words to Hollyhock, noticed the +flame in her cheeks and the radiance in her black glorious eyes; knew +only too well that this fearless girl would play her part—yes, to the +very letter. For one like Hollyhock there would most certainly be a +conflict, and also most assuredly a victory. She would 'play up! play +up! and play the game!' Her own heart beat as she watched the child. +Eton, that princely school, would be the first training-ground for +Major Constable's young sons; but for Hollyhock there would be both at +school and afterwards in the world the greater battlefield. Her heart +went out to the child, and she pressed her close for a moment to her +heart. Mrs Constable felt very happy to-night. She knew well that she +herself was a very efficient teacher; she was also a very persuasive +teacher, and Mrs Macintyre had eagerly agreed to her suggestion that +she should be her kindergarten mistress, thus helping Mrs Constable to +pay in part for the enormous expense of sending five boys to Ardshiel. +But, after all, this sum of money was but a drop in the ocean; and her +delight was intense, her thanksgiving to Almighty God extreme, when she +was told that she <I>herself</I> might get her laddies back and start an +Annex School for the boys, who were really too old to be at Ardshiel. +The departure of one would mean the departure of all; and now, as she +sat by Hollyhock's side, holding her little brown hand, she had already +secured for herself quite fourteen boys, who were all to arrive at the +Annex, or the dear Paddock, as she loved to call it, on the following +Monday morning. But this apparent breaking up of Mrs Macintyre's +school had not been mentioned as yet to any of the children. Mr +Lennox, of course, knew and approved, and Hollyhock was really the +first of the Flower Girls to whom the news was broken. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, my dear,' said Mrs Constable, 'I have news for you, which I +expect will please you. What do you say to two schools in this +neighbourhood?' +</P> + +<P> +'Two schools!' said Hollyhock, looking with amazement at gentle Mrs +Constable. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, my love, that's my news. And I 'm to be at the head of one, +though by no manner of means the teacher. That wouldn't do. But I 'm +to superintend, and guide, and influence, and what you may call +"mother." I'm getting my own brave laddies back.' +</P> + +<P> +'But'—— said Hollyhock, a startled look coming into her dark eyes. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, my dear, and more than that. I 'm getting a boy called Henry de +Courcy Anstel from the big school; and another one, Roger Carden.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, oh!' said Hollyhock, turning first white and then red, 'has he +blue eyes—<I>has</I> he blue eyes?' +</P> + +<P> +'That is more than I can tell you. The colour of the eyes does <I>not</I> +trouble me, and they ought not to trouble a lass of your tender years. +There 's another boy called Ivor Chetwode also coming. These with my +own five make eight. In addition, I have got Andrew MacPen from +Edinburgh, and Archie MacPen, his brother, and four little orphan boys, +who are coming all the way from London. Their names are Johnnie and +Georgie and Alec and Murray. I call them orphans because their father +and mother have gone to India, and have had to leave them behind. So +on Monday my little Annex will open with fourteen boys. They'll have +the advantage of the fräuleins and mesdemoiselles from Ardshiel to give +them lessons two or three times a week; and in addition, being manly +boys, I have made arrangements that they shall be taught by the +Reverend James Cadell and two resident tutors. So you see now for +yourself, Hollyhock, that after your insisting so often that nothing +would make you go to a mixed school, the thing has been taken out of +your hands, my love. Mrs Macintyre has a large and flourishing school +for girls, and I hope to do well with my boys. You must congratulate +me, Hollyhock.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well,' said Hollyhock haltingly, 'I—somehow—it seems hard on Mrs +Macintyre, doesn't it?' +</P> + +<P> +'Not a bit of it, dear. Why, it's the making of her school. She has +got so many applications for girlies like yourself to go to Ardshiel +that she soon will have to close her lists. Now that you have decided +to go there, Hollyhock, it will bring the number of her pupils in the +course of next week up to nearly seventy.' +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock sat very cold and still. +</P> + +<P> +'You don't look pleased, my child, and yet you were so strong against a +mixed school.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, yes, I was, and I am still. For that matter, I hate all +schools.' +</P> + +<P> +'But you faithfully promised me to go to Ardshiel, Hollyhock.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh yes, I 'll keep my word. I expect I 'm a bit of a dare-devil; +there is something very wicked in me, Auntie Cecilia.' +</P> + +<P> +'I know there is, child. You need Divine guidance.' +</P> + +<P> +'I won't be lectured,' said Hollyhock, getting very cross all at once. +'Oh, auntie, those blue eyes!' and the excited, hysterical girl burst +into tears. +</P> + +<P> +'There must be something at the back of this, Hollyhock.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, nothing—nothing indeed.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, I won't press for your confidence, dear. Little girls and +little boys should be friends and nothing more for long years to come; +and although I at first quite hoped that Mrs Macintyre's mixed school +would be a great success, I now see that it is best for me to have my +little corner in the Lord's vineyard alone. But don't for a moment +imagine, Hollyhock, that you girls of Ardshiel and my boys of the Annex +won't be the best of friends, meeting constantly and enjoying life and +fun together. Think of your Saturday to Monday, Hollyhock! Think of +my Precious Stones meeting you Flower Girls! Think of the old life +being brought back again!' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, I suppose it is best,' said Hollyhock, but she heaved a sigh as +she spoke. Her sigh was mostly caused by the fact that she had given +in. She, who had made such a grand and noble stand, was going to +Ardshiel after all. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap11"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XI. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +SOFT AND LOW. +</H4> + +<P> +But when Hollyhock went downstairs, dressed so charmingly and with a +rich colour in her cheeks, with the sparkle of excitement in her eyes, +and when she saw Jasper, Garnet, and the other boys, who all rushed +toward her with a cry of delight, she began to enjoy herself once more. +</P> + +<P> +Old Duncan was moving about the great hall and whistling gently to +himself. 'Soft and low, soft and low. It 's that that does it,' +whispered the old man. Then he broke out again in his cracked old +tones, 'And for bonnie Annie Laurie I wad lay me doun and dee!' +</P> + +<P> +'Duncan, you might remember that we are in the room,' said Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'To be sure, lassies; and don't ye like the sound o' the grand old +tunes and words? Did ye never hear me sing "Roy's Wife o' +Aldivalloch"?' +</P> + +<P> +'No; and I don't wish to,' said Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'Well,' said Duncan, who was never put out in his life, 'here are the +doggies, poor beasties, and I guess, Miss Hollyhock, you 'll be a sicht +better for a little company. I 'm reddin' up the place against the +maister's return. Ay, but we 'll hae a happy evenin'. Old times come +back again—"Should auld acquaintance be forgot"'—— +</P> + +<P> +'Duncan, you are incorrigible!' +</P> + +<P> +But Duncan deliberately winked at Jasper, then at Garnet, then at his +beloved Miss Jasmine, and finally catching Delphy in his arms, trotted +up and down the great hall with her on his shoulder, while the child +shrieked with delight and called him dear, darling old Duncan. +</P> + +<P> +At last, however, the hall was in order. The ingle-nook was a blaze of +light and cosiness. The boys and girls were chattering as they had +never chattered before; and Duncan, assisted by a boy of the name of +Rob, who wore the Lennox livery, brought in ponderous trays, which were +laid on great tables. These trays contained tea and coffee, scones to +make your mouth water, butter arranged like swans swimming in parsley, +and shortbread made by that famous cook, old Mrs Duncan, who was also +the housekeeper at The Garden. +</P> + +<P> +The trays were followed, alas! by the kitchen cat, Jean, who smelt the +good things and walked in with her tail very erect, and a look on her +face as much as to say, 'I 'm monarch of all I survey!' +</P> + +<P> +'Out you go, Jean!' cried Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'No, Hollyhock, don't be unkind to poor Jean,' said Mrs Constable. +'You were very glad to have her when you were alone. And now listen, +my dear; I have something to whisper to you.' +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock dropped Jean, who was immediately snatched up by Gentian. +Gentian provided the kitchen cat with a rich mixture of cream, milk, +and sugar. She lapped it slowly and gracefully, as all cats will, in +front of the ingle-nook, the two great dogs watching her with envious +eyes, but not daring to interfere. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs Constable, meanwhile, continued to whisper in a distant corner to +Hollyhock, 'My darling, I was the first to tell you the great news—I +mean with regard to the boys' school, or, as we intend to call it, the +Annex. No other child knows of it at present, and no other child knows +that you are going to Ardshiel on Monday with your sisters. Now, what +I propose is this. You must have a hearty tea and enjoy yourself as +much as possible, and then you shall have the great honour of telling +the news <I>first</I> about yourself, and then about my boys and the little +school, to the others. <I>Only</I> Hollyhock shall tell. There, my pet, +kiss me. See how I love you.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, you do, and you are a darling,' said Hollyhock, who was keenly +gratified by this distinction bestowed upon her. +</P> + +<P> +The tea was disposed of with appetite. Never, surely, was there such +shortbread eaten before, never such scones partaken of. +Notwithstanding her private tea upstairs, Hollyhock was very hungry and +happy, and the marked attentions which Jasper paid her gave her intense +and unalloyed pleasure. Oh, what a pity he was leaving the school! +What a dear boy was this Precious Stone! She even forgot the boy with +the blue eyes when she looked at Jasper's honest, manly face. But the +best of good teas come to an end. +</P> + +<P> +Duncan came in with his soft whisper and gentle words in his cracked +old voice, still singing softly, 'Should auld acquaintance be forgot, +and never brought to mind?' Hollyhock gave him a haughty glance, but +he did not observe it; and Jasper suddenly said, springing to his feet, +'Hurrah, old Duncan! you are the man for me. Let's all sing the jolly +old song!' +</P> + +<P> +'But, master,' faltered Duncan, 'I canna sing as once I sang.' +</P> + +<P> +Jasper said, 'Nonsense; you forget yourself, Duncan. You lead off, and +we 'll begin.' +</P> + +<P> +All the children stood up; all the young voices, the middle-aged voice +of Mrs Constable, and the aged voice of Duncan brought out the beloved +words: +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +'Should auld acquaintance be forgot,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">And never brought to mind?</SPAN><BR> +Should auld acquaintance be forgot,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">And auld lang syne?</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +'We twa hae paidl'd in the burn<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Frae morning sun till dine;</SPAN><BR> +But seas between us braid hae roar'd<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Sin' auld lang syne.</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +For auld lang syne, my dear,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">For auld lang syne,</SPAN><BR> +We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">For auld lang syne.'</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +Just as the last words had echoed round the hall, who should enter but +the father of the Flower Girls. There was a sudden cry of rapture. +Jasmine's arms were round his neck; Delphy mounted to her accustomed +place on his shoulder. He was their own, their darling. Gentian +kissed his hand over and over again. Dark-eyed Rose of the Garden +kissed him once more. Oh, how happy they were! for his little +Hollyhock—the child who had troubled him all the week—overcome by +varied emotions, sprang to his side, pushed both Jasmine and Gentian +away, and said, 'Oh, daddy, I have been a bad, bad lassie, but I'm all +right now; and if you'll listen, daddy mine, and if the others will +hold their peace for a minute, I 'll let my great secret out.' There +was a new sound in Hollyhock's voice. Old Duncan stood in a kind of +trance of wonder. To be sure, things <I>were</I> coming round, and that +week of misery was over. 'Daddy,' said Hollyhock, 'I didn't think +you'd enjoy my absence as much as you will. I talked a lot of +nonsense, and said I'd see to you, Daddy Dumps; but what's the use? I +'m not just entirely to blame, but I have <I>not</I> been happy this last +week, so I think it is well that I should go back with Jasmine and the +others to Ardshiel on Monday morning—that is, if <I>you</I> wish it, daddy?' +</P> + +<P> +'Is the choice entirely your own, my child?' said George Lennox. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, it is. You 'll want me, perhaps, when you haven't got me, but +I'm away to school with the others. It's right—it <I>is</I> right.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, my Hollyhock, I thank you,' said her father. 'I shall miss you, +beyond a doubt; but work has set in for me to such an extent that I +have no time to attend to you, and your being in the house and +uneducated has been a sore trial to me, Holly. You 'll be a good lass +at school, my child. You must promise me that.' +</P> + +<P> +'You 'll have a right-down lovely time, Holly,' cried Jasmine. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, won't she?' echoed Gentian. +</P> + +<P> +'But I haven't told you all the story yet,' said Hollyhock. She +suddenly went up to Jasper and took his big hand. 'I was trusted by a +lady, whose name I mustn't mention, with another bit of news, Jasper, +boy—and, oh! it's sore it makes my heart. <I>You</I> have to go to the +lady, Jasper, boy, and so has Garnet, and so has Sapphire, and so have +Opal and Emerald. In addition, the boys at Ardshiel are to go to a new +Annex—under protest, no doubt; but still it has to be. You 'll be +taught by men, my bonnie Precious Stones, and we lassies will have to +do with the women folk.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, this is astounding,' said Jasper. 'Is it true?—Can you +explain, Uncle George?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, my boy; and I don't think you 'll mind when it's explained to +you. The "lady" whom my Hollyhock wouldn't mention is your <I>own</I> +mother.' +</P> + +<P> +'Mother!' cried Emerald, in a voice of rapture. 'Eh, mother, I have +missed you!' +</P> + +<P> +He was only a little fellow—the youngest of the Precious Stones—and +he suddenly burst out crying. +</P> + +<P> +'There, now, be a brave lad,' said Mrs Constable. 'No tears, my little +son, for they don't become a gentleman. They don't become the son of +Major Constable. Ho died fighting for his country, and no son of his +and mine should be seen with tears in his eyes. You all do come back +to your mummy, my children, and a lot of other boys come as well; and +The Paddock is to be partly changed, so that I can mother you, my +Emerald, but not teach you—no, no, none of that. There 'll be that +fine gentleman, the Reverend James Cadell, to put Latin and Greek into +you; and there'll be Alan Anderson to teach you games, as boys should +play them; and there 'll be young Mr Maclure to help him with your +English and your lessons all round. I 'll have my five Precious Stones +sleeping again under my roof; and your food will be prepared by that +maid of ours, Alison, of whom you have always been so fond; and old Mrs +Cheke will be the housekeeper and look after your wants. And for +foreign languages Mrs Macintyre will send over at certain hours each +day some of her governesses. Now then, children, I think we are all +going to be as happy as happy. It was decided by a wise woman that Mrs +Macintyre's mixed school would eventually prove a mistake, for a good +many mothers object to sending their girls to such places, although I +myself see no harm in them whatsoever. But, my dear boys, we must +think of Mrs Macintyre, who will have a very large school of girls. On +Monday next you will see many new faces at Ardshiel, and the +arrangement that you, my little loves, are to spend Saturday till +Monday all together is to continue. So now do let us sing a fresh song +of that wondrous bard, Robbie Burns, because I feel so absolutely Scots +of the Scots to-day that I simply cannot stand any one else. +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +'Hark, the mavis' evening sang<BR> +Sounding Clouden's woods amang;<BR> +Then a-faulding let us gang,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 2em">My bonnie Dearie.</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 2em">'Ca' the yowes to the knowes,</SPAN><BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 2em">Ca' them whare the heather grows,</SPAN><BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 2em">Ca' them whare the burnie rowes</SPAN><BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 4em">My bonnie Dearie.</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +We'll gae down by Clouden side,<BR> +Through the hazels spreading wide,<BR> +O'er the waves, that sweetly glide<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 2em">To the moon sae clearly.</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +'Yonder Clouden's silent towers,<BR> +Where at moonshine midnight hours,<BR> +O'er the dewy bending flowers,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 2em">Fairies dance sae cheery.</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +'Ghaist nor bogle shalt thou fear;<BR> +Thou 'rt to Love and Heaven sae dear,<BR> +Nocht of ill may come thee near,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 2em">My bonnie Dearie.</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +Fair and lovely as thou art,<BR> +Thou hast stown my very heart;<BR> +I can die—but canna part,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 2em">My bonnie Dearie.</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +'While waters wimple to the sea,<BR> +While day blinks i' the lift sae hie,<BR> +Till clay-cauld death shall blin' my e'e<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 2em">Ye shall be my Dearie!'</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +'Oh, mother, mother!' cried one boy after another, as they clustered +round her, 'indeed we are happy now, since <I>you</I> are the "lady."' +</P> + +<P> +'We didn't rightly understand at first,' continued Jasper.—'But come +for a walk, Hollyhock; come along; I have a lot to say to you.' +</P> + +<P> +So Hollyhock and Jasper went out together into the old grounds in the +old way, and the sweet, yet sorrowful, week—so maddening to poor +Hollyhock, so joyous to Jasper—was forgotten in the spirit of reunion. +Oh, it was perfect for the Flower Girl to be with her precious Precious +Stone again, and she even loved his dear Scots ways so much that she +told him of her little adventure as a 'great secret,' and besought of +him not to mention it to any one. +</P> + +<P> +'And so you were taken with that English boy Ivor Chetwode,' he +remarked. 'I didn't think you were so fickle. But it's all right now, +Hollyhock, and you 'll have a right jolly time at the school.' +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap12"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XII. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +UNDER PROTEST. +</H4> + +<P> +Whatever Hollyhock's feelings may have been, she went to school on the +following Monday morning with a good grace. She was the sort of girl +who, when once she put her hand to the plough, would not take it back +again. She refused, however, to listen to any of the stories which +Jasmine, Gentian, and the others longed and pined to tell her of the +great school. +</P> + +<P> +'I 'll find out for myself,' was her remark; and Mrs Constable advised +the other girls to leave this obstinate lass alone as far as possible. +</P> + +<P> +'Under protest!' exclaimed Jasmine. +</P> + +<P> +'If you think it right,' said Gentian. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, Jasmine; yes, Gentian. I do know what is really best for our +little maid. She will find her own way best in the school if she is +not interfered with. If she is in any sort of trouble, then she will +have her dear Flower sisters to go to.' +</P> + +<P> +'I doubt it myself,' said Gentian. 'That's just what Hollyhock will +not do. I know Holly; she's a queer fish. Rare courage has she; I 'm +not fit to hold a candle to her myself.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, you have plenty of courage of your own,' said Mrs Constable. 'You +can wile every girl in the place, but don't interfere with Hollyhock.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, I 'm longing to be off to school,' said Jasmine, 'and I only +trust Holly will like the dear spot as much as we do.' +</P> + +<P> +'She 's certain sure to, girlies, if you don't tell her so. If you do, +I won't answer for the consequences. She 'd love to scare you all. +There now, my darlings, let her be, let her be.' +</P> + +<P> +So the girls, who dearly loved Aunt Cecilia, and who thought a lot of +her counsel, were induced to be judicious in the matter of Hollyhock, +and to walk with her to Ardshiel as though it were an ordinary stroll +they were taking. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock was certainly a very handsome little girl. With the +exception of Rose of the Garden, she was the only one of the young +Lennoxes who was really dark. Her great deep black eyes were +surrounded by thick black lashes. Her hair grew low on her brow and +curled itself into little rings here, there, and everywhere. In +addition, it was extremely long and thick, and, when not tied up with a +ribbon, fell far below her waist. Hollyhock had pearly-white teeth, a +very short upper lip, and a certain disdainful, never-may-care +appearance, which was very fetching to most girls. +</P> + +<P> +The hour for the reassembling of the girls at Ardshiel was nine +o'clock, and Hollyhock, although her heart was beating furiously, +showed not a scrap of nervousness, but gazed dauntlessly and with a +fine defiance around her. Everywhere and in all directions she found +eyes fixed on her—blue eyes, gray eyes, brown eyes, light eyes, dark +eyes, the eyes of the pale-faced English, the glowing eyes of a few +French girls; but she felt quite assured in her own heart that there +was not one in that great group who could compare with herself. +Hollyhock, or, in other words, Jacqueline Lennox. +</P> + +<P> +She resolved quickly (and Hollyhock's resolutions, once formed, were +hard to break) that <I>she</I> would be <I>captain</I> of this great school; she +would lead, and the others would follow, no matter the colour of their +eyes, no matter the complexions, no matter the thin, pale faces, or the +fat, rosy faces. These things were all one to Hollyhock. She would +compel these girls; they would follow her willy-nilly where <I>she</I> +wished and where <I>she</I> dared to go. She knew well that she was not +clever in book-learning, but she also knew well that she had the great +gift of leadership; she would be the leader here. She rejoiced in the +fact that all the girls were staring at her. She would go carefully to +work and soon secure a band of followers, who would increase by-and-by, +becoming extremely obstreperous and doing all sorts of naughty things, +for Holly had no intention when at school to be good or to learn much. +She went solely and entirely for her own happiness, because she +preferred the girls with the blue, gray, and nondescript eyes to the +kitchen cat, Jean, and to the great loneliness which had descended on +The Garden. +</P> + +<P> +Such a girl as Hollyhock could not but attract attention, and the Lady +Barbara Fraser, Miss Agnes Featherstonhaugh, and many others became +fascinated on the very first day. But Hollyhock, on that first day, +was outwardly meek. She was good, except for her flashing eyes; she +was good, except for the sudden and very queer smile which played round +her pretty lips. +</P> + +<P> +The other Flower Girls had been liked very much indeed, but they had +not stirred a certain naughty spirit in the breasts of the girls. They +honestly, all four of them, wanted to learn hard and to repay their +beloved father for all the expense he was put to on their account; but +Hollyhock's was a totally different nature. She had come to school to +lead, and lead she would. +</P> + +<P> +On the afternoon of the first day, Lady Leucha Villiers, who was a +delicate, refined-looking girl, came up to Jasmine. 'Well, what queer +changes have taken place in the school!' +</P> + +<P> +'What do you mean exactly?' replied Jasmine. +</P> + +<P> +'Why, all those nice boys have vanished like smoke.' +</P> + +<P> +'No, they haven't. They are alive and well. They are being taught at +the Annex. It has been considered best.' +</P> + +<P> +Lady Leucha gave a sigh. 'I miss that dear Ivor,' she said, 'and I +also miss your cousin Jasper and that little chap you call Opal; but +what puzzles me most of all is the crowds and crowds of new girls who +have arrived at the school, and the newest of them all is your sister.' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' said Barbara Fraser, 'your sister, Jasmine, is very new and very +remarkable. Whyever did she not come with the rest of you last week?' +</P> + +<P> +'She did not wish it,' replied Jasmine. 'Girls, had we not better get +our French ready for Mam'selle?' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, bother Mam'selle!' said Lady Leucha. 'I am interested in your +sister. Fancy a girl not coming to school because she doesn't wish it.' +</P> + +<P> +'Father never forces any of us,' said Jasmine in her sweet voice. +'Hollyhock began by disliking the school—I mean the idea of it—and +she was a bit lonesome with no one to talk to her, so she came back +with us this morning.' +</P> + +<P> +'Hollyhock,' said Lady Leucha. 'A queer name!' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, it isn't her real name; it is her home name. Her real name is +Jacqueline.' +</P> + +<P> +'That's much prettier,' said Leucha Villiers. 'Do tell her to come and +sit with us, Jasmine. I shall always call her Jack. I have taken a +great fancy to her.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, you'd best keep your fancy to yourself,' said Jasmine, 'for no +one <I>will</I>, and no one <I>can</I>, coerce Hollyhock.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, she's not going to lord it over me,' said Lady Leucha. 'Am I not +an earl's daughter?' +</P> + +<P> +'That will have no effect on Hollyhock, I can assure you.' +</P> + +<P> +'Won't it? We'll see. My father has got a glorious mansion, and we +belong to the very greatest nobility in the whole of England. Our +cousins, the Frasers, are the daughters of the Marquis of Killin. So +you 'd better not put on airs before me, Jasmine. Oh Jasmine, I do +love you; you are such a downright dear little thing. I 'm going to +ask you up to Hans Place at Easter if daddy and mother will give me +leave.' +</P> + +<P> +'Thank you,' said Jasmine; but I couldn't afford to spend one minute +away from The Garden.' +</P> + +<P> +'How queer of you! You seem devoted to your home.' +</P> + +<P> +'I'm Scots,' replied Jasmine; 'and to the Scots there are no people +like the Scots.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, do, do watch her!' suddenly exclaimed Lady Leucha. 'Barbara, do +you see—Dorothy, do you see?—she's walking up and down on the terrace +with that ugly Mary Barton and that nobody, Agnes Featherstonhaugh. +Why, Nancy Greenfield and Jane Calvert are hopping round her just as +though they were magpies on one leg.' +</P> + +<P> +'Why should she not talk to those girls? They are very nice,' said +Jasmine. 'But, Leucha, Barbara, and Dorothy, do you not think you had +better prepare your French lessons? At least I must and will.' +</P> + +<P> +Jasmine skipped away and was soon lost to view, but the Ladies Barbara, +Dorothy, and Leucha found themselves alone—alone and somewhat +slighted. Slighted, too, by those commonplace Scots girls! They, who +were the daughters of a marquis and an earl! The thing was not to be +endured! +</P> + +<P> +Leucha whispered to her companions, and soon they got up and went out +in a little group into the grounds. They saw black-eyed Hollyhock, +surrounded by her adorers. She was talking in quite a gentle, subdued +voice, and did not take the least notice of the marquis's and the +earl's daughters. Never had Nancy Greenfield, Jane Calvert, Mary +Barton, Agnes Featherstonhaugh, and last, but not least, Margaret +Drummond felt so elated. Holly was talking in a very low, seductive +voice. Her rich curls were tumbling about her face and far down her +back. Her cheeks were like bright, soft fire, and the flash in her +glorious black eyes it would be difficult to surpass. +</P> + +<P> +'I say, Jack,' exclaimed Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +——'And, girls, as I was telling you, that poor cat, wee Jean, she +came and nestled on my bed'—— +</P> + +<P> +'I'm talking to you, Miss Lennox,' said Lady Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'Are you? I did not listen. You spoke to some one called Jack. +That's a boy. I happen to be a girl.—Well, girls, let's proceed. +I've <I>such</I> a jolly plan in my head. I 'm thinking—whisper—that +young person must not hear.' +</P> + +<P> +The whisper was to the effect that wee Jean was to be fetched from The +Garden by Holly that very night and put comfortably into Lady Leucha's +bed. A saucer of cream was to be placed in the said bed, and it was +more than likely that bonnie Jean would spill it in her fright. +</P> + +<P> +Lady Leucha, who knew nothing of this plan, said in a tone bristling +with haughtiness, 'Some little Scotch girls can be very rude!' +</P> + +<P> +'And some fair maids of England can be downright worse!' retorted +Hollyhock.—'Come along, girls, let's go down this side-walk.' +</P> + +<P> +Lady Leucha had never been spoken to in that tone before, but rudeness +to a girl who had always been pampered made her desire all the stronger +to win the fascinating Hollyhock to her side, and to deprive those +common five, Agnes Featherstonhaugh, Mary Barton, Nancy Greenfield, +Jane Calvert, and Margaret Drummond, of her company. Accordingly, +accompanied by the two Frasers, she also went down the shady walk which +led to the great lake. She began to talk in a high-pitched English +voice of the delights of her home, the wealth of her parents, and the +way in which the Marquis of Kilmarnock and his sons and daughters +adored her. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock heard each word, but <I>her</I> voice was no longer gentle. It +was loud and a little penetrating. 'You would not dare to come out at +night,' she said, looking at the devoted five. +</P> + +<P> +'And whyever not?' asked Mary. +</P> + +<P> +'You would not have the courage. It's here on moonlight nights that +the ghost walks. He drips as he walks; and he's <I>very</I> tall and very +strong, with a wild sort of light in his eyes, which are black and big +and awful to see. He was drowned here in the lake on the night before +his wedding. He's very unquiet, is that poor ghost! <I>I</I> do not mind +him one little bit, being a sort of friend, almost a relative, of his. +Many and many a night, when the moon is at the full, have I stood by +the lake and said, "Come away, my laddie. Come, poor ghostie, and I +'ll dry your wet hair." Poor fellow, he likes me to rub him dry.' +</P> + +<A NAME="img-132"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-132.jpg" ALT="'It's here on moonlight nights that the ghost walks.'" BORDER="2" WIDTH="370" HEIGHT="595"> +<H4 CLASS="h4center" STYLE="width: 370px"> +'It's here on moonlight nights that the ghost walks.' +</H4> +</CENTER> + +<P> +The daughters of the marquis and the earl were now quite silent, their +silly little hearts filled with horror. They never guessed that +Hollyhock was making up her story. +</P> + +<P> +'You <I>couldn't</I> have done that,' said Jane Calvert. +</P> + +<P> +'Whist, can't ye? I want to get those girls away, so as to talk about +the kitchen cat.' +</P> + +<P> +The girls in question certainly did go away. They did more; they went +straight to Mrs Macintyre and asked her if the awful story was true. +Mrs Macintyre, having never heard of it, declared emphatically that it +was not true; but, somehow, neither Lady Leucha nor the Fraser girls +quite believed her. There was such a ring of truth in Hollyhock's +words; and had they not all heard, on that first happy evening at the +school, the cry, so shrill, so piercing, '<I>The ghost! the ghost!</I>' +</P> + +<P> +They had tried not to think of it since, but Hollyhock seemed to +confirm the weird words, and they began to wonder if they could stay +long in this school, which, beautiful as it was, contained such an +awful ghost—a ghost who required a little girl to dry his locks for +him. Surely such a terrible thing could not happen! It was quite past +belief. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap13"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIII. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE SUMMER PARLOUR. +</H4> + +<P> +If there was a girl who was at once slightly frightened and extremely +angry, that girl was Leucha Villiers, the daughter of the Earl of +Crossways. Never, never before had any overtures on her part been +treated as Hollyhock had treated them. If this saucy black-eyed imp +intended to rule the school, she, Leucha, would show her what she +thought of her conduct. She would not be ruled by her. She would, in +short, show her once and for all her true position. Little Scotch +nobody, indeed! Well, the angry Leucha knew how to proceed. +</P> + +<P> +Leucha was considered by her friends and by her numerous acquaintances +a most charming girl, a girl with such aristocratic manners, such a +noble presence, such a gentle, firm, distinguished air. She had been, +during her first week at school, very happy on the whole, for Jasmine, +and Gentian, and Rose, and Delphinium had more or less bowed down to +her and admired her. But now there appeared on the scene a totally +different character—Hollyhock! How ridiculous to call any human being +by such a name! But then it wasn't her real name; her name was +Jacqueline. She, Lady Leucha, would certainly not call her Hollyhock, +or prickly Holly, or anything of that sort. She would call her Jack +and Jacko, and tease her as much as possible. She had certainly spoken +of the ghost in her ridiculous Scotch accent, but Leucha Villiers, +after careful consideration, determined not to be afraid of pure +nonsense. Was there ever a girl in creation who dried a ghost's +dripping hair? The whole thing was too silly. +</P> + +<P> +In accordance with Mrs Maclure's promise, a great many fresh girls had +arrived, and the full number of seventy was now nearly made up. It +would be quite made up by the end of the following week. +</P> + +<P> +Leucha liked the boy element in the school, and was exceedingly sorry +to part with it; but she perceived, to her intense satisfaction, that +the English contingent of girls at Ardshiel was very strong, and that, +notwithstanding all her audacity and daring, Jacko—of course she was +Jacko—could be kept in a minority. She felt there was no time to +lose, for Hollyhock looked at her with such flashing eyes, with such +saucy dimples round her lips, with such a very rare and personal +beauty, that Leucha felt she must get hold of her own girls at once, in +order to sustain the school against the wicked machinations of Jacko. +</P> + +<P> +Accordingly she got Lady Barbara Fraser and her sister Dorothy, also +the Honourable Daisy Watson, to meet her in what was called the Summer +Parlour, a very pretty arbour in the grounds, where materials for a +fire were laid, and where a fire could be lit in cold weather. +</P> + +<P> +Winter was approaching. It was now nearly October, and October in the +North is often accompanied by frosts and fallen leaves, and by bitter, +cold, easterly winds. Lady Leucha had, she considered, a very charming +manner. Having collected her friends round her, she went off with them +to seek for Mrs Macintyre. They found this good woman, as usual, very +busy, and very gentle and full of tact. +</P> + +<P> +'We have come with a request,' said Lady Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'And what is that, my child?' asked Mrs Macintyre. +</P> + +<P> +'Mrs Macintyre,' said Lady Leucha, 'you have in your school far more +English than Scotch girls.' +</P> + +<P> +'That is true, my dear—at least, it is true up to the present. But I +have heard to-day from my dear friend Mrs Maclure that fifteen new +Edinburgh lassies will arrive on Saturday. You'll welcome them; won't +you, Leucha?' +</P> + +<P> +'I like English girls best,' said Lady Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'That's natural enough, dear child. Well, you have a goodly number of +friends and relatives at the school.' +</P> + +<P> +'I have,' said Leucha; 'but I have come in the name of my cousins, +Dorothy and Barbara Fraser, and my great friend Daisy Watson, to say +that we do not approve of the manners of the new pupil.' +</P> + +<P> +'What new pupil, Leucha? There are a good many in the school.' +</P> + +<P> +'I know that. But I allude to that wild-looking child with black eyes +and hair, who talks the absurdest nonsense. Would you believe it, dear +Mrs Macintyre, she talks of coming here on moonlight nights and wiping +the hair of a ghost? Could you imagine anything so silly?' +</P> + +<P> +'It is a very foolish thing to say,' remarked Mrs Macintyre—'so silly +and impossible that if I were you, Leucha, I would not give it a second +thought. The child must have said it in pure fun. You are doubtless +alluding to Hollyhock, a splendid little girl.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well,' said Leucha, tossing her head, 'I don't care for girls who tell +untruths; and it is not only for that reason that I dislike her, it is +also because she has been so terribly rude to my cousins the Frasers, +and to my dear friend Daisy Watson. I can see that she intends to rule +the school, or at least to take a very leading position in it. Now +this I, for one, do not wish, and I do not intend to put up with it. I +think that I, as Earl Crossways' daughter, and the Frasers, who are +daughters of the Marquis of Killin'—— +</P> + +<P> +'And therefore Scots of the Scots,' interrupted Mrs Macintyre. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, at least their mother is English of the English, and they have +been brought up in English ways. They are <I>my</I> relatives, and I do not +choose them to be treated rudely. There is also my very great friend +Daisy Watson. We are most anxious, dear Mrs Macintyre, for you to +allow us English girls, who at present are in a majority in the school, +the entire use of the Summer Parlour, giving it out as your desire that +no Scotch girl is to come into the parlour without our express +permission.' +</P> + +<P> +'I do not quite see how I can do that, Leucha. The Summer Parlour is +for the use of all, and why should my Scots lassies be excluded? I am +sure, notwithstanding your remarks, Leucha, the children you speak of +are both good and well-bred.' +</P> + +<P> +'That horrid creature they call Hollyhock isn't well-bred,' said Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'She is a magnificent child,' said Mrs Macintyre. 'You don't know her +story or you wouldn't speak of her like that.' +</P> + +<P> +'<I>I</I> don't want to hear her story,' said Barbara Fraser. 'I dislike +her appearance too much.' +</P> + +<P> +'Barbara, my dear, I am the last to encourage vanity, but Hollyhock is +quite the handsomest girl in the school.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, Mrs Macintyre, I do wish we had never come here!' said Leucha, who +looked extremely mournful and inclined to cry. 'Of course, I suppose, +mother must give you a term's notice, but there are really <I>refined</I> +schools in England without wild Scotch girls in their midst.' +</P> + +<P> +'You must not speak against Scotland to me,' said Mrs Macintyre. +'Remember it is my native land—the land of the heather, and the lochs, +and the glorious mountains. It is the land of brave men and brave +women, and I will not have it run down by <I>any</I> impudent English girl. +I've got so many other English girls coming to the school that the loss +of you four won't affect me much, Leucha Villiers.' +</P> + +<P> +This was taking matters with a very high hand, and Leucha, who had no +great moral strength, was thoroughly subdued. +</P> + +<P> +'I didn't mean to be rude to you, of course, dear Mrs Macintyre,' she +said, nudging her cousins as she spoke. 'I only said I did not like +that black-eyed girl. She's frightfully wild and rude, and I'm +accustomed to girls of a different type. Naturally indeed, being born +as I am. However, I ask now for permission to use the Summer Parlour. +Do you refuse it?' +</P> + +<P> +'If you don't want it for hatching plots or anything of that kind,' +said Mrs Macintyre, 'you English girls can have it till Saturday—no +longer, remember; and as the weather is turning very cold, you must pay +for your own fire, and, what's more, light it. For all my maids have +plenty of work to do in the house. Now, then, are you satisfied? The +Summer Parlour will be yours, beginning from to-day.' +</P> + +<P> +'Thank you, Mrs Macintyre; we are quite satisfied,' said Leucha, who +knew well how furious her mother would be were she removed from +Ardshiel, which, as the former home of <I>kings</I>, was considered most +distinguished. +</P> + +<P> +The girls went off quite mildly and gently. The day was drawing toward +evening. Their idea was to light a great fire in the Parlour, and then +go into the house for tea; after which they would prepare their +lessons, and then go back in a body to the Parlour to discuss the +enormities of that wicked girl who called herself Hollyhock. But, +alack and alas! the daughter of the Earl of Crossways and the daughters +of the Marquis of Killin had never lit a fire in their lives, and did +not know in the least how to set about it. They were not particularly +strong girls, and did not wish to sit in the Summer Parlour hatching +mischief against their schoolfellow without the comfort of a glowing +fire. +</P> + +<P> +'How queer and cross Mrs Mac. is!' said Leucha, turning to her +companions as they rushed off to the Parlour, knowing that they would +have at least half-an-hour in which to make it ready for their evening +talk. +</P> + +<P> +'No, no; she's all right,' said Barbara Fraser; 'and mother thinks the +world of her. If we left, girls, I don't know what father and mother +would say. They've always been wild to get us into a proper Scottish +school.' +</P> + +<P> +'How are we to light the fire?' whispered Leucha. 'Do you know how +it's done, Dorothy?' +</P> + +<P> +'Not I. Who 's that singing?' +</P> + +<P> +There was a wonderfully sweet contralto voice sounding from the cosy +depths of the Summer Parlour. The words the girl sang were as follows: +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +'The great Ardshiel, he gaed before,<BR> +He gart the cannons and guns to roar.<BR> +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +'Whisper now, lassies. Do you not know that "the oak shall go over the +myrtle yet"? We will settle some of the poor English girls yet. All +the same, I like the really nice English girls <I>ever</I> so well. They +are so bonnie and so gentle, like my own sweet sister Jasmine. Where +could you see her like anywhere? And there is my own kinsman, the Duke +of Ardshiel! Ah! but I love him well!' +</P> + +<P> +The voice was undoubtedly the voice of Hollyhock, who, without rhyme or +reason, had lit a great fire in the old grate, and was comfortably +established there, with her four sisters and a number of Scots and +English girls scattered round. +</P> + +<P> +These young people were seated round the roaring fire, and Holly, with +her black locks and great glowing black eyes, was the centre of an +animated group. She was about to expand her views on the nice and +not-nice English girls, when in rushed Leucha and her friends. +</P> + +<P> +'You clear out of this,' she said. +</P> + +<P> +'Clear?' said Hollyhock. 'What is clear?' +</P> + +<P> +'There's the door,' said Leucha. 'Go!' +</P> + +<P> +'Not I,' said Holly. 'I find this little chair very comfortable.' +</P> + +<P> +She established herself with much grace and dignity, and the others +clustered round her. +</P> + +<P> +'You have got to go,' said Leucha, who was now in a towering passion. +'We have got Mrs Macintyre's permission to consecrate the Summer +Parlour to the English girls until Saturday.' +</P> + +<P> +'That seems a pity,' said Holly, 'for, you see, we <I>must</I> put out the +fire. We built it, we lassies of Scotland, and we do not leave it +except to those English girls who are on our side. I rather think you +are up to a conspiracy, and you sha'n't hatch your plot by <I>our</I> +fire.—Come, girls, she wants the Parlour and the fire, but she does +not want us. So, quick is the word. Stir yourself, Delphy; stir +yourself, Augusta; stir yourselves, all the rest. It is mighty damp +outside, so the faggots can cool themselves there. My word! I do not +think much of <I>some</I> English maids. They have no manners at all. And +I telling such a fine tale about Ardshiel and his bonnie men. Well, +the Camerons are down now, but they will soon be up again. "The +Camerons are coming," say I. Never mind, girls; we 'll find another +place for our wee conspiracy.' +</P> + +<P> +In less than two minutes the fire no longer glowed and roared. The +coal smouldered feebly under the grate; the faggots were put in the +dripping rain, for the evening happened to be a wet one; and, in order +to make all secure, Hollyhock poured a jug of water over the rapidly +expiring fire. +</P> + +<P> +'There they lie,' she cried; 'but if any of you wants a proper fire +lit, not in anger, but in the spirit of love, I can and will undertake +the job. Ay! not a word!—Come away, girls. I know a little hut where +we can light a fire for our own conspiracy—a sort of a "cubby hole," +but loved by poor ghostie, and fit for our work. Come at once, girls. +Come at once.' +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap14"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIV. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE FIRE THAT WILL NOT LIGHT. +</H4> + +<P> +The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis +of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to +relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the +kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least +acquainted with <I>something</I> of the system, it was quite outside the +powers of these ladies of high degree. +</P> + +<P> +Naughty Hollyhock's last effort before she left the Parlour had been to +pour a small jug of water over the fast-expiring coals. +</P> + +<P> +'I 'm thinking this will settle matters,' she said to her adoring +companions. 'Let them try their hardest now if they like, but we 'll +find our own cubby hole and light our fire somewhere else.' +</P> + +<P> +No sooner said than done, for Hollyhock was an adept at small manual +jobs. She had observed in her rambles over the Palace of the Kings a +small neglected hut, said to be haunted by the ghost from the +neighbouring loch. As Hollyhock had not a scrap of fear of the ghost, +knowing only too well that he did <I>not</I> appear, and knowing also that +she could use him as a valuable weapon, she entered the hut, sent +Gentian flying for some fresh faggots, and with the aid of Margaret +Drummond and her own sisters, Mary Barton, Nancy Greenfield, Isabella +Macneale, and Jane Calvert, she soon had a glowing fire. They put by +in one corner a pile of faggots to place on the fire when tea was over, +after which they would have quite an hour to work out their conspiracy. +At tea, which was served on long tables in a beautiful old room, +Hollyhock looked more brilliant and more beautiful than ever. Leucha, +on the contrary, had a pale face and seemed chilled to the bone. +</P> + +<P> +'Did you leave your fire burning well, Leucha, my hearty?' inquired +Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +Leucha, of course, refused to reply. She sat looking down at her +plate, hardly eating the good things before her, but making up her mind +to punish that horrible <I>Jack</I>, even if she herself died in the effort. +</P> + +<P> +'Couldn't you find a small hut by the burnside; couldn't you now?' +continued Hollyhock in a coaxing tone. 'The Summer Parlour's grate is +hard to light up—it has an artful way with it—but a small <I>hut</I> now, +with you sitting by the fire, could be easily managed. I 'd bring you +some faggots, if you said the word.' +</P> + +<P> +'No, thank you. I don't choose you to help me in any way.' +</P> + +<P> +'All right! I 'm not wanting to,' said Hollyhock. 'I'm very happy +without you, my Lady Leucha.' +</P> + +<P> +'Girls,' said one of the English mistresses, who felt quite certain +there was mischief ahead, 'I think you ought to take your tea, and be +quick about it. You will lose your recreation afterwards if you stop +to wrangle.' +</P> + +<P> +'What's wrangle, Miss Kent, dear?' asked Hollyhock in her sweetest +tones. 'I like well to hear your pure English words. We Scots talk +very differently, no doubt, but we are always willing to learn. So, +please, what's wrangle? And will you pass me a fresh scone, Miss Kent, +dear, for my appetite is far more than ordinary?' +</P> + +<P> +'Vulgar little glutton,' muttered Leucha to Dorothy Fraser. +</P> + +<P> +'She really <I>is</I> attractive, all the same,' answered Dorothy. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh Dolly, you are not going round to her? That <I>would</I> be the final +straw.' +</P> + +<P> +'No, I 'm not, of course; but I can't help admiring her funny ways and +her beautiful, noble sort of face.' +</P> + +<P> +'Noble!' cried Lady Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, it is noble, although it is full of mischief too. You could have +had her as a <I>great</I> friend, Leucha, and that girl is worth making a +friend of. I never saw her like before. She really haunts me.' +</P> + +<P> +'What haunts you, lassie?' cried Hollyhock. 'Is it my eyes so black, +or my cheeks so rosy-red, or my hair so curly, and black as the +blackest night? I 'm at your service. I'm willing to forgive and +forget this blessed minute if you'll all hold out the paws of +forgiveness.' +</P> + +<P> +Both Dorothy and Barbara longed to do so, but Lady Leucha put the final +extinguisher on their hopes by saying, 'No, never! Why, you are not +even a lady!' +</P> + +<P> +'Let's eat,' said Hollyhock. 'I waved the flag of peace, as the great +Ardshiel did once; but never again—don't you fear, lassies. No lady, +indeed! We 'll see who's the lady!' +</P> + +<P> +In vain Miss Kent tried to stop the angry torrent of words, but this +was the hour when the girls were allowed to talk freely. Mrs Macintyre +was not present, and all eyes in the room were fixed with admiration on +Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'First, we 'd like to know—just for a diversion—what <I>makes</I> a lady,' +continued the obstreperous lass. ''Tisn't birth—my certie! no. It +must be a sort of civilisation. It must be, to my way of thinking, a +give and a take. It must belong to the sort of person who has the +courage of her race, and will even wipe the hair of a ghost when he +comes to you in his trouble. That's what <I>I</I> call a lady. Others may +differ from me.' +</P> + +<P> +'They do,' said Leucha. 'Liars are not ladies!' +</P> + +<P> +'You 'd better not call <I>me</I> that.' +</P> + +<P> +'But I do. You never wiped the hair of a ghost.' +</P> + +<P> +'Let's drop the subject,' said Hollyhock. 'My sisters and I, and Mrs +Constable, and my father, and my five cousins, the Precious Stones, +have views that differ from yours entirely. I know your sort of lady. +I have read of her in books, but I never came across her till I met +you, Leucha.' +</P> + +<P> +'I 'd thank you to call me Lady Leucha.' +</P> + +<P> +'I won't, then. You are only Leucha to me in this school. I have +described what I call a lady. She's bountiful to the poor, and +kindness sits in her bonnie eyes, and love shimmers round her lips, and +her heart—why, it's pure gold; and she's all-forgiving, and all for +making up. There 's never a quarrel that a real lady would nurse; but +mayhap there's a different sort in England. They walk what you might +call <I>mincingly</I>, and they drop their words slow, and there's no flash +in their eyes, and no courage in them, and no daring in them. No doubt +they are very respectable, and they are very proud of their family. +Then they make their little curtsy, when their education is quite +finished, to the Sovereign on the throne; and they go to many a party, +and they dress like all the other girls—no individuality anywhere. +That would not be thought right for such an English lady. She marries +when she can get a man to have her. Many a time he's as old as her +father; but that doesn't count with <I>her</I>, she being what she is, +looking out for <I>respectability</I>. Ah, well! I 'm all for the Scots +lady. I don't care for grand parties or grand dresses; but I want my +bit of adventure, and I'll have it, too. Good-bye, Leuchy. I think I +have explained myself.—Come along, girls; we have our work cut out for +us. It would not do for that poor Leuchy to be cold this night. She +must have a living, warming thing to comfort her, poor Leuchy! Come +along; there's no time to spare.' +</P> + +<P> +The girls, headed by Hollyhock, left the room in a group, but for some +reason Jasmine remained behind. She was very much distressed by her +sister's manner of going on, and what followed would not have taken +place had she gone to the ghost's hut and joined in the 'conspiracy;' +but the other girls were now fairly mad with excitement, and Margaret +Drummond, a Scots girl, was so much in love with Hollyhock that she +would have done anything on earth for her. +</P> + +<A NAME="img-148"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-148.jpg" ALT="The Conspiracy." BORDER="2" WIDTH="376" HEIGHT="589"> +<H4 CLASS="h4center" STYLE="width: 376px"> +The Conspiracy. +</H4> +</CENTER> + +<P> +'You are splendid, lassie!' she cried. +</P> + +<P> +The fire was quite out in the Summer Parlour, but it glowed warmly in +the ghost's hut. +</P> + +<P> +'It's here I dry his hair, poor fellow,' said Hollyhock, who was now +nearly beside herself with delight. 'Listen to me, girls. You are a +goodly group, and true to the heart's core, true to the soul of the +thing; but I 'm not going to be ruled over by Leuchy, though I don't +mind Barbara, or Dorothy, or that weak little Daisy looking on. It's +Leuchy who 'll get a fright this very night. Now, then, we haven't +long to lose, for the hours for pure enjoyment are few in number. I am +much deceived if we don't find many impediments in our path. Now, +lassies, I 'll show you on the spot what we have got to do. One of us +must go to The Garden, my home, to fetch wee Jean, the kitchen cat; and +another has to beg, borrow, or steal a saucer of cream for the little +beastie. That's about all. I 'll start off at once for the cat; and +you, Gentian, had best get the cream. I have been looking round the +house—don't I know every stone of it?—and you have got to get into +the larder. You know your way to the larder, don't you, Gentian?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' said Gentian, who looked rather frightened. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, never mind, my lass. You have got to do it, and one of these +girls will help you. You were always nimble-witted, and you won't fail +your own sister-born in a conspiracy so innocent and so amusing. While +I 'm off alone for the cat, you other girls will find out the number of +Leuchy's room, and have the nice rich cream ready for poor Jean. She +can sleep with me afterwards. Well, then, off I go! Good-bye, +lassies; good-bye! Oh, I can tell you bogy stories that 'll make your +hair stand up straight; but this is the night for wee Jean.' +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock, her head in the air, rushed quickly down the avenue. There +was plenty of time still, for the gates would not be locked before nine +o'clock. She went out, therefore, boldly, and reached the dear old +Garden. She wrapped her cloak well about her, so as to disguise +herself as much as possible, and went straight to the kitchen regions, +where the housekeeper, having very little to do now that all the girls +were out and the master was dining with Lord Ian Douglas, was sound +asleep by the kitchen fire. +</P> + +<P> +On her lap reposed Jean, also in profound slumber. Hollyhock whisked +her up in a hurry, petting and cuddling her all the time. A row of +baskets hung just outside the kitchen door. Hollyhock chose one, +placed a warm bit of felt at the bottom, put in a lump of butter for +Jean to lick, fastened her down securely in the basket, and was off and +away, back to Ardshiel. +</P> + +<P> +By that time the other girls had fully carried out the commands of +their liege lady. The cream had been secured by Gentian, who had +scraped her shins a little in climbing in at the window. She had put +the cream into a small jug, and had further procured a saucer. +</P> + +<P> +'That'll do fine,' said Hollyhock. 'Poor Jean, poor beastie, we +mustn't frighten her, or she 'll be off like a flash. Have you got the +number of the English lady's room?' +</P> + +<P> +Yes, Leucha Villiers's room had been discovered. Hollyhock went boldly +upstairs. The little room looked most luxurious. There were +eider-down quilts on every bed in the house, and a particularly pretty +silk one was on the bed of Leucha. Under the eiderdown was a snowy +light counterpane. The room had been already arranged for the night, +and would not be touched again by any one. Although the weather was +beginning to get cold, Mrs Macintyre did not consider it necessary to +have fires in the bedrooms just yet; but wee Jean, cuddled up in +Hollyhock's arms, purred into Hollyhock's face, and presently lay +contentedly down just under the eider-down. +</P> + +<P> +It did not take her long to fall into a deep sleep, and, this done, +Hollyhock placed the saucer brimfull of cream also under the +eider-down, but she slightly raised the latter by means of a little +pile of Lady Leucha's favourite books. When the cat awoke she would +drink her cream, and then sleep on until she was disturbed. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock was rejoiced to find that Lady Leucha's room was close to her +own; in fact, it was next door. She could, therefore, be on the <I>qui +vive</I>, and meant to be. +</P> + +<P> +The 'conspiracy' had begun, and she had no idea of shifting any blame +from her own shoulders. She wished to punish Leucha, and punish her +she would. Yes, the 'conspiracy' had begun. +</P> + +<P> +She went softly downstairs, followed by a trail of tittering girls, who +hardly knew how to restrain themselves. +</P> + +<P> +'Whist, can't you? Whist!' said Hollyhock. 'Do you want to spoil the +whole thing by unseemly mirth? Now, then, mum's the word. Wee Jeanie +shall sleep in my room to-night; but I somehow fancy that I have shown +Leuchy who means to be head of the school.' +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap15"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XV. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +CREAM. +</H4> + +<P> +The kitchen cat was a very gentle beastie, except in the matter of +killing birds and mice. She had the usual fascination of her species +where these small victims were concerned; and she enjoyed life in the +way cats do, eating when hungry, and sleeping the rest of her days. +She slept now with the greatest comfort under the silken eider-down +quilt. She rejoiced in the welcome warmth and purred softly to +herself, not even troubling to regard the saucer of cream until she had +had her snooze. By-and-by she would attack her cream, being partial to +that beverage; but for the present she would slumber on, a creature +without care, without fear; a gentle, admirable kitchen cat. She +brought up her families when they arrived with all a mother's rectitude +and propriety, and when they were old enough to leave her, got rid of +them as quickly as possible—which means that she took no further +notice of them. She regarded them no longer as hers; they were cats, +and she preferred them out of the way. At the present time she had +just reared and got rid of a large family, and was in that luxurious +state of bliss when the good things of life appealed to her. Her +purring went on for some time, then ceased, being followed by deep +slumber. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile Hollyhock and her chosen companions were amusing themselves +in various ways downstairs. Supper would be to the minute at a quarter +to nine. Supper was a very simple meal, a stand-up affair, consisting +in winter of hot bread-and-milk, in summer of cold milk and biscuits. +</P> + +<P> +The Lady Leucha thought her supper a very poor affair, but she was too +cold, after her vain attempts to light the fire in the Summer Parlour, +to resist the steaming-hot, delicious milk. She took it standing up +not far from Hollyhock. She resolved in her own mind to take no notice +whatever of Hollyhock. Jacko was to the Lady Leucha as one who did not +exist, but in her busy, vain little brain she was forming schemes for +the undoing of this impertinent Scots lass. +</P> + +<P> +Lady Leucha was not specially clever, but she was what might be called +'cute,' and although during her first week at school she had had no +special desire to push herself forward in any way whatsoever, yet now +that Hollyhock—or, rather, Jack—had come, she was fully determined to +crush her, if not by guile, then by other means. She, a young lady of +distinction, could not stand such impudence; she, the daughter of the +Earl of Crossways, would <I>not</I> be bullied by a mere nobody like Jacko. +But, unfortunately for herself, Leucha was not nearly so clever in +forming plans for the destruction of her enemy as was the dark-eyed, +flashing Hollyhock, who would dare and dare again until she showed by +her ways and devices that she was invincible. +</P> + +<P> +'Come, girls, it is time for you to take your supper and be off to +bed,' said Miss Kent, who observed that Leucha was seated close to the +fire in the great sitting-room, shivering not a little, and that +Hollyhock, with glowing cheeks and sparkling eyes, had established +herself at the far end of the large room, and was relating bogy tales +with great rapidity to her ever-increasing host of adorers. One by one +fresh girls crept up to join this group, and one by one, whatever their +nationality, they were heartily welcomed by Hollyhock, who called out +in her clear, sweet voice—for very clear and sweet it could +be—'Lassies, make room for the stranger. Be you English or Scots, my +lady dear, you are welcome to join my circle.' +</P> + +<P> +Thus the circle began to grow very large, and the hushed, dramatic +voice of the narrator caused her listeners to hold their breath, until +occasionally they burst into fits of hearty laughter. But the hour had +come. The bowls of bread-and-milk smoked on the sideboard, and all the +girls hurried to begin and finish their food. After supper they went +to say good-night to Mrs Macintyre, who prayed God to bless them and +give them all 'a good and peaceful night.' Then, accompanied by Miss +Kent, whose office it was to see them to their rooms, they went +upstairs. +</P> + +<P> +Leucha had slightly recovered her spirits, but not absolutely. As a +matter of fact, she was wild with jealousy. She had sat by the fire +with Dorothy and Barbara Fraser and Daisy Watson, but all the other +girls had gone over to the large circle, where the voice was so +mysterious and the eyes of the speaker so bright. In their heart of +hearts, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin were keenly anxious to +leave their dull friend Leucha, and join the merry, excited group at +the other end of the room. This, however, they dared not do, for their +mother would not have wished them to desert Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, I'm glad this day is over,' exclaimed that young lady, as she +reached her bedroom. 'I shall be glad to get between the sheets and +forget that horrid, noisy Jack.' +</P> + +<P> +'Ah, will you just?' thought Hollyhock, who overheard the word as she +turned into her own snug apartment. Her heart was beating hard and +fast. She was waiting for the <I>dénouement</I>. +</P> + +<P> +Lady Barbara and Lady Dorothy Fraser bade Leucha good-night, and went +much farther along the corridor. +</P> + +<P> +Leucha entered her room and turned on the light. The moment she did +this she began to sniff. What queer noise was this in the room? Was +there a clock anywhere, and had it gone wrong? She looked around her +and sniffed again. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock, prepared for all events, kept her door a little ajar, and +wee Jean, being slightly, very slightly, disturbed by the noise in the +room and the light which penetrated faintly under her eider-down quilt, +purred in a louder and more satisfied manner than ever. She thought +she might rise a trifle and begin to lap her cream. +</P> + +<P> +'What <I>can</I> be the matter?' said Lady Leucha. This sharp and angry +tone slightly startled the kitchen cat, who raised herself slowly, +making a great heave as she did so of her own body and of the +eiderdown. The cream was close to her. The cream was sweet and +luscious; the cream would suit her to perfection. +</P> + +<P> +Lap, lap, lap, went her little tongue. In a fury—a blind fury—Leucha +rushed to her bed, tore aside the eider-down, and tried to catch the +wicked cat in order to fling her out of the window; but Hollyhock stood +in the room. +</P> + +<P> +'Don't,' she said. 'Poor beastie! I put her there for fun—for a bit +of a lark. I'll take her now. Don't you <I>touch</I> my cat, or I 'll be +at you. I 'm sorry she has spilt the cream, but it hasn't had time to +get through to the blankets.—Here, come along, my pretty dear; come, +my angel Jean; you shall sleep along with your own mistress.—See, +Leuchy, the cream hasn't had time to get to the blankets, and it hasn't +touched the eider-down. I'll just whip off this white covering. Now +you see for yourself that you mustn't meddle with me. Best not. I 'm +all fire, I am; I 'm all glow, I am; I 'm all spirit, I am. There 's +no harm done, but would you like to hold the little cat while I remove +the sheet? Then you 'll be as tidy as possible, and you 'd best get to +bed, Leuchy. I 'll undress you after I have settled my cat. Here, +hold the small thing for a minute while I straighten things up.' +</P> + +<P> +But Leucha, who at first was speechless with horror, now raised her +voice to a mighty roar of indignation. +</P> + +<P> +'How dare you? How dare you? You wicked, ugly little girl! I can't +abide the sight of you! And to put a cat in my bed—a cat and cream, +forsooth! You don't get out of this scrape so easily as you think, +Miss <I>Jack</I>. I 'm going down this minute to speak to Mrs Macintyre.' +</P> + +<P> +'All right,' said Holly. 'I think you might do worse. I was willing +to be friends with you, but you wouldn't have it, so now I 'm t' other +way round, and I 'm thinking that I 'll carry most of the lassies with +me. But go, Leuchy. I meant to vex you, and I 'm not denying it. I +would have been different, but your haughty spirit forbade it; so now I +'m your chosen enemy, and you 'll have to fight me along with those in +the school who like me better than you.' +</P> + +<P> +But Leucha's fury had risen to its height. She dashed up to Hollyhock +and gave her a resounding smack on her right cheek. Hollyhock was +holding the cat, who, in the struggle, gave Leucha a savage scratch on +the hand, that lily-white hand of which she was so proud. It was a +great scratch going right across the back of the hand. In a moment +Leucha had fled from the room to seek Mrs Macintyre. Hollyhock flew +into her own chamber, put wee Jean carefully and tenderly into the +basket in which she had brought her from The Garden, stroked her for a +minute to cause her to purr again, cut a hole or two in the lid of the +basket to give the poor beast air, and then shoved cat and basket under +her bed. +</P> + +<P> +Instantly she returned to Leucha's room, took off the injured white +covering, shoved it into the soiled clothes-basket, turned down the +sheets, made the room look perfectly nice and tidy, removed the saucer, +which she carried into her own room and hid, also under the bed. +</P> + +<P> +She then sat and waited for events. They were not long in coming. +Leucha's anger was something prodigious. She forgot all about the +really frightful smack she had given Hollyhock on her rosy cheek. She +thought of nothing but her own indignities—the indignities committed +against an earl's daughter by a common Scots girl. +</P> + +<P> +She found Mrs Macintyre in her study. The good lady looked up in +amazement when the girl burst in. +</P> + +<P> +'My dear Leucha, whatever <I>is</I> the matter? Why are you not in bed?' +</P> + +<P> +'In bed, Mrs Macintyre! Is it likely that I should be in bed when a +nasty, mean Scotch girl puts a horrid, common cat into it, and also a +great saucer of cream, which the cat spilt, injuring my favourite +edition of the works of Charles Dickens, which was given me by my +father on my last birthday? Will you kindly, Mrs Macintyre, <I>expel</I> +that girl in the morning?' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, my dear, I suppose you are alluding to Hollyhock?' +</P> + +<P> +'I 'm not; I 'm alluding to ugly Jack Lennox, beneath me in station, +beneath me in manners, beneath me in everything!' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, as to that,' said Mrs Macintyre, 'I'm sorry you are annoyed, +Leucha, but another girl would take the matter as a good joke, and win +the friendship of Hollyhock by overlooking the whole affair.' +</P> + +<P> +'I'm not that sort. I'm the daughter of the Earl of Crossways, and +she—she is nothing but a mischievous cad. She 'll ruin your school, +of course, Mrs Macintyre.' +</P> + +<P> +'I don't think so, my dear. I'm delighted to have her. As she has +annoyed you, and you wish it, I <I>must</I> punish her, of course; but +whatever I do, I shall destroy neither her beauty nor her high rank.' +</P> + +<P> +'Her high rank, forsooth! What next?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes; her father is the Honourable George Lennox, whose wife was a +Cameron, a near relative of the Duke of Ardshiel. I don't think there +is much difference between you in blood, Leucha, except the other way +round. We think a great deal indeed of the Duke in our region.' +</P> + +<P> +Leucha felt slightly stunned and more angry than ever. She knew well, +too well, that the Earl of Crossways was only the second earl of his +house, and that she had better not talk quite so loudly about her grand +lineage. +</P> + +<P> +'Do you <I>wish</I> me to punish Hollyhock?' said Mrs Macintyre, fixing her +grave, gentle eyes on the angry girl's face. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, of course I do—of course I do. Look at my hand!' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, the poor cat has scratched it. I 'm sorry. I shall send Miss +Kent to you presently with a little cold cream to rub on it. You had +better keep it bandaged to-night, and it will be quite well to-morrow. +You must have frightened the cat or she would not have treated you like +that.' +</P> + +<P> +Leucha said nothing. She did not mention the fact that she had smacked +the cat's mistress. +</P> + +<P> +'I wish that young person, whatever her rank, to be punished,' she said. +</P> + +<P> +'Very well, my dear Leucha, come with me at once. I have now got to +hear <I>her</I> side of the story.' +</P> + +<P> +'But surely you believe me?' +</P> + +<P> +'In a school like this, Leucha, I like to hear both sides. Whatever +happens among my girls, I must be impartial. Now come, for it is +getting late, and I myself must retire.' +</P> + +<P> +They went first of all into Leucha's room, which looked perfectly snug +and comfortable, all trace of the cat having been removed. +</P> + +<P> +'I see nothing wrong here,' said Mrs Macintyre. +</P> + +<P> +'She is too cute; she has hidden everything,' said Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, we 'll go to her room. Her room is next to yours. I thought, +being contrasts, you would be such friends.' +</P> + +<P> +Leucha shrugged her shoulders contemptuously, then waited with a +furiously beating heart while Mrs Macintyre knocked at Holly's door. +</P> + +<P> +'May I come in, my dear child?' she said gently. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes.' Hollyhock flew to the door and flung it open. 'Yes, please do, +dear Mrs Macintyre. I know I am a bold, bad girl.—Come in, Leuchy; I +don't mind you a bit.' +</P> + +<P> +'But how swollen your cheek is, my child!' said the head-mistress. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, that's less than nothing. Poor little Jean is sleeping under my +bed, and if we talk too loud we may disturb her. I did it for +mischief. I 'm not going to deny it. I wanted to be friends with +Leuchy, but she would not have it; so then the soul of mischief got +into me, and I ran home to The Garden and fetched the cat, and put her +into Leuchy's bed. Oh! I know it was wrong of me. I 'm a bad Scots +lassie. But I love you, and I love the school, if only Leuchy there +would be friendly.' +</P> + +<P> +'Which I have no intention of being,' said Leucha. 'You see for +yourself, Mrs Macintyre, she denies nothing. She ran away without +leave to fetch that odious cat and put it in my bed.' +</P> + +<P> +'How did her cheek get so swollen?' said Mrs Macintyre. +</P> + +<P> +'Ah, well, we won't talk of that,' said Hollyhock. 'Girls that dare +must also endure. I 'm sorry Leuchy was so vexed and wouldn't make it +up.' +</P> + +<P> +'You are going to punish her, Mrs Macintyre,' said Leucha, 'are you +not?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, Leucha; but I 'm going to punish you too.— Hollyhock, my +darling, you did wrong, and this your first day at school, too. The +punishment I am going to give you I 'm afraid you will feel. You may +take the kitchen cat back yourself to The Garden in the morning. You +had better start early, so as to be here again in time for breakfast, +and then you can tell your father that you will not return with your +sisters to The Garden on Saturday. I am sorry, my love; but order must +be maintained in the school. As to Leucha here, the story of the cat +will, I am sure, be known all over the school immediately; and Leucha, +when she shows her wounded hand, will have to explain <I>how</I> she got +it—by slapping <I>you</I> so violently on the cheek, thus rousing the +temper of the faithful cat. I shall insist on her publicly telling +what I know she did. Now, both girls, take your punishments like +gentlewomen and don't make a fuss. Good-night, good-night! I 'll send +Miss Kent to put a lotion on your cheek, Hollyhock, and to bind up your +hand, Leucha. Good-night! After prayers to-morrow the story of the +cat will be told, with, alas! Leucha's sad lack of forgiveness.' +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap16"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVI. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE GIRL WITH THE WAYWARD HEART. +</H4> + +<P> +Hollyhock was a child who, with all her wildness, her insubordination, +her many faults, bore no malice. She did not know the meaning of +malice. The open look on her bonnie face alone proclaimed this fact. +She was really sorry for Leucha, and did not give her own swollen cheek +a serious thought. Of course it pained her, for Leucha had very hard, +bony little hands, and she struck, in her fury, with great violence. +But Hollyhock, as she termed it, would be but a poor thing if she +couldn't bear a scrap of pain. Nothing would induce her to grumble, +and although she bitterly regretted the punishment which lay before her +of not going home on Saturday, she would take it, as she expressed it, +'like a woman of sense.' +</P> + +<P> +Accordingly she got up early on the following morning, released poor +Jean, and carried her back to The Garden. There she put her into the +astonished arms of the old housekeeper, who said, 'Whatever ails ye, +lassie; and where did you find the cat?' +</P> + +<P> +'Here she is, and don't ask me any questions about her. Here she is, +safe and sound. She has been feeding on the richest cream, and if you +put her cosy by the fire, she 'll sleep off the effects. Is my Daddy +Dumps in, Mrs Duncan?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, my lassie; he 's at his breakfast.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, I'm glad of that,' said Hollyhock. 'I have got to speak to him +for a minute, but I won't keep him long.' +</P> + +<P> +'Richt ye are, my dear; but whatever swelled your bonnie cheek like +that?' +</P> + +<P> +'Well,' said Hollyhock, 'it wasn't me, and it wasn't the cat; so don't +ask questions, for they won't be answered. I can't stop here. I must +go at once to Daddy Dumps. I have been a bad, wicked girl, and my +swollen cheek has been sent to me as a punishment.' +</P> + +<P> +'Whoever <I>dare</I>'—— began the old retainer, who in her heart of hearts +adored Hollyhock as the most precious of all the Garden Flowers. But +Hollyhock had left her. +</P> + +<P> +The cat was already asleep in her basket by the fire. George Lennox +was enjoying his excellent breakfast, and was busily planning out his +day. Lord Ian's work was remarkably heavy, and he missed his dear +Flowers. He was startled, therefore, when Hollyhock dashed into the +room. +</P> + +<P> +'Daddy Dumps,' she exclaimed, 'do not be frightened now, and don't pass +remarks on my swollen cheek. It was sent me as a punishment, and I 'm +not going to say to any one how I got it; but I 've come here, my own +Dumpy Dad, to tell you, darling, that your Hollyhock will not return on +Saturday with the four other Flower Girls. It's right, and I 'm +content. Good-bye, daddy; good-bye. I 'm struggling at that school, +and in a fight you often get a scar. When didn't the Camerons get a +scar, and weren't they proud of it, the bonnie men?' +</P> + +<P> +Before Mr Lennox could utter a word Hollyhock had rushed out of the +room, scarcely daring to speak any further or even to kiss her father, +for, with all her bravery, tears were very near her black eyes. +</P> + +<P> +She reached the big school in time for breakfast, where her swollen +cheek caused her adorers to look at her with amazed distress and +compassion, and Leucha and Daisy Watson to chuckle inwardly, whereas +the Fraser girls were as sorry for Hollyhock as they could be. +</P> + +<P> +Prayers followed breakfast; and then Leucha, by Mrs Macintyre's +command, had to discharge her painful task. She loathed the thing +unspeakably; but Mrs Macintyre had no idea of letting her off. +</P> + +<P> +'Come, Leucha,' she said, 'you have got something to say to your +companions. You are wearing a rag on your hand. Take it off.' +</P> + +<P> +'It hurts,' said Leucha, meaning her hand, for she clung to the rag as +a sort of flag of protection. +</P> + +<P> +'Take the rag off, and we 'll see for ourselves how much it hurts,' +said Mrs Macintyre. +</P> + +<P> +The girls and teachers all stood wondering by. The only one who felt +sorry was Hollyhock. The rag was removed, and Mrs Macintyre, gazing +keenly at the scratch, said in a disdainful voice, 'I never heard such +a fuss about nothing at all. Now, then, you will have the goodness to +tell the school in as few words as possible how you got that scratch on +your hand, and how Hollyhock got her poor face so swollen.' +</P> + +<P> +'It was the cat,' muttered Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'The cat! What cat?' echoed from end to end of the long room. +</P> + +<P> +'Leucha, hold your head up and tell your story. If you don't tell it +at once, without any more shirking, I shall have you locked up for the +day in your room.' +</P> + +<P> +So Leucha, dreading this beyond anything—for a day in her room at the +present moment might mean anything—was forced to tell the story of the +previous night's adventure. She did tell it with all the venom of +which she was capable. She told it with her pale-blue eyes gleaming +spitefully. She was forced to go to the very bottom of the affair. +</P> + +<P> +'It was a silly trick, girls,' said Mrs Macintyre when the tale had +come to an end, 'and Hollyhock suffered, because the daughter of the +Earl of Crossways very nearly broke her jaw. Well, I 'm here to do my +duty. Leucha has had to explain. Another girl would have taken what +occurred simply as a joke and made nothing of it; but I grieve to say +that such is not Leucha Villiers's way; and as Hollyhock <I>did</I> do +wrong, and as Leucha particularly <I>wishes</I> it, I am forced to punish +her by not allowing her to go home on Saturday. It seems a pity; but +justice is justice, and Hollyhock is the first to think that herself.' +</P> + +<P> +'I am,' replied Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'That's a dear child; and now you will try not to get into further +mischief.' +</P> + +<P> +But to this speech of kind Mrs Macintyre's Hollyhock made no answer, +for mischief was the breath of life to her, and to live without it was +practically to live without air, without food, without consolation. +She looked round the large and wondering school, and observed that all +eyes, with the exception of one pair, were fixed on her with great +compassion. +</P> + +<P> +'Hollyhock,' said Mrs Macintyre, 'is your cheek very painful?' +</P> + +<P> +'It hurts a bit,' said Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'Then I think I must ask Dr Maguire to call round and look at it.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, don't, Mrs Macintyre! I deserved it—I did, truly.' +</P> + +<P> +But Mrs Macintyre had her way, and although she set the other girls to +their tasks, she provided Hollyhock with an amusing book, and placed +her near a great fire until Dr Maguire arrived and examined the +much-swollen cheek. +</P> + +<P> +'Why, you <I>have</I> got a nasty blow, Miss Hollyhock,' he said. 'Did you +strike yourself against a tree, or something of that sort?' +</P> + +<P> +'No; 'tis nothing,' replied Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, however it happened is your secret; but I can only say that your +jaw was very nearly broken. It isn't broken, however, and I 'll get a +soothing liniment, which you are to keep on constantly during the day. +I suppose I mustn't inquire how this occurred?' +</P> + +<P> +'Best not,' said Mrs Macintyre; 'only get the dear child well.' +</P> + +<P> +'I won't be long over that job, with one like Miss Hollyhock.' +</P> + +<P> +So Hollyhock was petted very much all day; excused, by the doctor's +express orders, from all lessons; and sat cosily by the fire, enjoying +her new and very exciting story. By evening, however, the swelling had +gone down a great deal, and her mischievous spirit awoke again. The +girls, even the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, were positively +furious with Leucha, and more than ever took the part of the brilliant, +fascinating child, who had already won their hearts. +</P> + +<P> +It was the final straw to Lady Leucha when Barbara and Dorothy Fraser +declared boldly that they could not stand such a cruel fuss about +nothing. +</P> + +<P> +'If I were to tell our father, the Marquis, I really do not know what +he 'd say,' remarked Lady Dorothy. +</P> + +<P> +'<I>Almost</I> to break a girl's jaw just for a mere joke,' added Lady +Barbara. 'Well, we intend to be friends with Hollyhock, whether you +wish it or not, Leucha.' +</P> + +<P> +So Lady Leucha felt herself to be the most desolate girl in the whole +school, the one person who clung to her side being little Daisy Watson, +whom she did not like and only put up with. +</P> + +<P> +The next morning Hollyhock was as well as ever, and told her sisters +that if Leuchy would make up with her, she was willing to extend the +hand of forgiveness. +</P> + +<P> +'You really are noble in your own funny way, Hollyhock,' said Jasmine. +She repeated Hollyhock's words to Leucha, taking care to do so when a +number of the girls were present. But Lady Leucha, whatever she was, +was obstinate. On her father's side she was well-born; but her mother +was a cross-grained lady, extremely ambitious and proud of nothing at +all, and Lady Leucha took after her mother. She wondered if it was +possible for her to get out of this odious school. +</P> + +<P> +She turned her white face, with her small, pale eyes, and fixed them on +Jasmine. 'I presume your silly sister wants an answer.' +</P> + +<P> +'She 's not silly,' replied Jasmine; 'but she would like an answer.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, tell her from me that as far as the North Pole is from the +South, so am I from her, and ever will be. There now, what do you +think of that? I don't care who hears me. I 'm accustomed to ladies, +not to common little Scotch girls who tell lies.' +</P> + +<P> +Jasmine was too gentle, too firm, too really noble to make any +response; but as she went out of the room she was followed by a crowd +of girls, a few of whom turned round and hissed at Leucha. The hisses +were very soft, but, at the same time, very distinct; and this was the +final straw in the wretched girl's misery. +</P> + +<P> +As to Hollyhock, she was, greatly owing to Leucha's conduct, now the +ruling spirit in the school, not by any means as regards lessons, but +as regards what schoolgirls treasure so much, popularity and +good-fellowship. Even Barbara and Dorothy Fraser went boldly to her +side, and congratulated her on her self-restraint, and even apologised +for their cousin's unseemly conduct. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock's fine eyes lit up with a great glow. 'I do not care,' she +said. 'Poor lassie! I pity her; I do, truly!' +</P> + +<P> +'You are a wonderful girl, Hollyhock,' said Dorothy; 'and may my sister +and I join your circle to-night? And will you tell us some bogy tales?' +</P> + +<P> +'I will that,' said Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +'And here's a hand, my trusty frien's,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">And gie's a hand o' thine.'</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +She sang the words, and they were taken up immediately by every girl in +the school, with the exception of Leucha and the miserable, depressed +Daisy. But Hollyhock knew that she had her punishment to undergo. Was +not her own mother a Cameron of the great race, and would she disgrace +herself by crying out and making a fuss? 'The de'il is in me all the +same,' she whispered under her breath; 'but he 'll not show his little +horns until the Flower Girls are back at The Garden.' +</P> + +<P> +She was a passionate little poet, and she now sang softly under her +breath: +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +The height of my disdain shall be<BR> +To laugh at him, to blush for thee;<BR> +To love thee still, but go no more<BR> +A-begging at a beggar's door.'<BR> +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +Then she burst forth in her really glorious voice with such fervour +that every girl within reach heard her: +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +The meteor flag of England<BR> +Shall yet terrific burn,<BR> +Till danger's troubled night depart,<BR> +And the star of peace return.<BR> +Then, then, ye ocean-warriors!<BR> +Our song and feast shall flow<BR> +To the fame of your name,<BR> +When the storm has ceased to blow,<BR> +When the fiery fight is heard no more,<BR> +And the storm has ceased to blow!'<BR> +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +In spite of every effort, Hollyhock could not help putting a touch of +her beloved Scots accent into the great and glorious words of Thomas +Campbell. +</P> + +<P> +'Hollyhock, you 'll promise not to do any mischief while we are away?' +said Jasmine in her most coaxing voice when the hour for departure had +arrived. She hated beyond words leaving her sister at this crisis. +</P> + +<P> +'Ah, well,' replied Hollyhock, 'I'll make no promises. I 'll tell no +stories, and if things happen, why, then, I am not to blame.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, Holly darling, you frighten me!' +</P> + +<P> +'Don't be frightened, Jasmine; I 'm learning to be <I>such</I> a good little +girl.' +</P> + +<P> +There was no help for it. The four Flower Girls departed, leaving the +fifth, and the naughty one, behind. +</P> + +<P> +Now it was as impossible for Hollyhock to keep out of mischief as it +was for the kitchen cat at The Garden to refuse to drink cream, but +Hollyhock meant at the same time to go warily to work. Some more fresh +girls were coming on this special Saturday, which made it all the +easier for her to carry out her little plan. The Fraser girls were now +devoted to her, but her slave—the one who would do anything on earth +for her—was Margaret Drummond. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock arranged, therefore, that Margaret should be her accomplice +on the present occasion. Her tales of bogies and ghosties—all of them +with a slight soupçon of truth in them—had excited the wonder and +fearful admiration of the schoolgirls, and when she suggested, as she +<I>did</I> suggest, that 'poor little Leuchy might wipe the ghostie's hair +for her,' there was a perfect chorus of delighted applause. +</P> + +<P> +'But he won't come; he won't dare to come,' said Margaret Drummond. +</P> + +<P> +'Meg, hist, dear; let's whisper. Keep it to yourself. There's no +ghost; only they think, poor things, that there is, and that I dry his +dripping locks. Well, I want you to impersonate the ghost to-night. I +'ll dress you up, and you shall cross the path of Leuchy. Why, she'll +turn deadly white when she sees you at it.' +</P> + +<P> +'But, oh! I 'm frightened. I 'll get into trouble,' said Margaret. +</P> + +<P> +'And you won't do that for me? I thought for sure you loved me.' +</P> + +<P> +'I'd give my life for you,' said Margaret; 'but this is different.' +</P> + +<P> +'It's easy to talk about giving the life, for that's not asked; but +what I want is the love, and the proof of the love is that you shall +dress as poor ghostie, and beg in a <I>mighty</I> mournful voice of Leuchy +to dry your dripping hair. I have got an old cloak and a peaked hat +that belonged to my grandmother's family, and I 'll alter your face a +wee bit, and nobody'll recognise you like that. Now come, Meg, you +won't refuse? I 'd do it myself, and do it well; only I <I>might</I> be +discovered, but you wouldn't. Who'll think of Meg Drummond turning +into the ghost? You must clasp your skeleton hands and say <I>very</I> +mournfully, "Dry my locks, sweet maid of England!" That's all. She'll +be sure to go out into the grounds, and the rest of us will be close +by, ready to catch her up if she swoons; and she 'll never guess to her +dying day but that she has seen a ghost.' +</P> + +<P> +The plot was prepared with immense care. It was the most tremendously +exciting thing that the girls had ever heard of, and even the Frasers +were drawn in, more particularly as the worst it could possibly do was +to give that naughty, proud Leucha a fright. They were very sick of +their cousin, and very angry with her; and it was finally decided that +the girl who was to come to her rescue in the moment of her terrible +extremity was to be Hollyhock herself. The others were all to fly out +of sight. Hollyhock was to desire ghostie to go, and was to support +Leucha into the house. After that—well, no one quite knew what would +come! +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap17"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVII. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE GREAT CONSPIRACY. +</H4> + +<P> +There was suppressed excitement in the school, that sort which cannot +be described, but which most assuredly must be felt. Mrs Macintyre put +it down to the advent of the fifteen girls who had just arrived from +Edinburgh. +</P> + +<P> +Leucha stirred herself and made a vain endeavour to become friends with +them; but they were Scots to the backbone, and went over instantly in a +body to Hollyhock's circle. This was so immense now that it actually +comprised the entire school, except the poor miserable Daisy and the +naughty Leucha, whose anger against Hollyhock, combined with a kind of +undefined admiration, which she would not for the life of her admit, +grew fiercer and stronger hour by hour. It was like a great flame +burning in her breast. She would <I>do</I> for Hollyhock yet, but how and +in what fashion? +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock, meanwhile, collected her forces round her. The days were +getting very short. The nights were long and cold. Winter was on the +English girls—a Scottish winter, which caused them to shiver, +notwithstanding their comforts. Leucha was, however, far too proud to +confess that she did not like the weather. She spoke of the school in +tones of rapture to the new girls, who barely looked at her and +scarcely listened. Then they wont, some of them silently, some of them +with a rush, to Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +Leucha forced herself to praise the place, and nudged Daisy to do +likewise; but her praise was feigned, and the Scots girls did not pay +this uninteresting Leucha much attention. The fact that she had now +been a fortnight at the school did not affect them at all. The further +fact that she was the daughter of the Earl of Crossways had not the +least influence on them. They were jolly, merry, everyday sort of +girls; there was nothing specially remarkable about them, but as they +themselves said, 'Did not they belong to Old Scotia, and was not that +fact sufficient for any lassie?' Hollyhock entertained them in her +swift, bright way. She was not specially impressed by them, but they +were Scots of the Scots, as she was herself. +</P> + +<P> +So Leucha and the miserable Daisy spent their time alone, Leucha +arguing and wrangling with Daisy, and saying to her once or twice, +'What earthly good are you, Daisy Watson? Can you not think of any +plan by which to defeat that mischievous Scotch brat?' +</P> + +<P> +'I know of nothing,' replied Daisy. 'How can two English girls fight +against sixty and more? It isn't to be done, Leucha dear.' +</P> + +<P> +'It shall be done; it must be done!' retorted Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, I can't see my way,' replied Daisy. 'The best plan of all would +be for you to sink your silly pride, Leucha, and to join the others.' +</P> + +<P> +'And have <I>her</I> queen it over me,' said Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, I don't see how you can help it,' answered Daisy. 'She <I>does</I> +queen it over you, for it isn't only the Scots girls who turn to her, +but the English and the French. I don't see for myself what possible +hope you have. Never yet since the world was made could two overcome +sixty-eight. And, for that matter,' continued Daisy, 'I 'm feeling so +dull that although I <I>am</I> fond of you, Leucha, I really am strongly +tempted to join that merry group, who are always singing and laughing +and making the hours go by on wings. It is very dull indeed for me to +have no one but you to talk to, and you grumbling all the time.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, I saw it would come to this,' said Leucha, rising in her rage. +'My last friend—my very last! I 'll write to mother and get her to +remove me from this school.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, I won't desert you, Leucha; only I do wish you were a little more +cheerful, and that we might join the others in their sport. You made +such a fuss just on the day Hollyhock came'—— +</P> + +<P> +'Don't mention her name; she makes me shudder!' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, I needn't; but you made such a fuss about securing the Summer +Parlour, and having a fire there, and concocting plans, and having a +lot of the girls with you—a great deal more than half the school; but +you never go near the Summer Parlour, and after to-night you won't have +any further right to it. Do come out, Leucha dear, and make another +effort to build up the fire. If the girls see us with a glowing fire, +a good many of them will come in for certain sure. I have been asking +the servants on the quiet how the thing is done, and it really seems to +be quite easy. You collect faggots, which I know I can get for you, +and small bits of coal; and I tell you what—whisper, Leucha—I have +been saving up a few candle-ends, and they are grand for making a fire +burn. Let's come along and try.' +</P> + +<P> +'No lady ought to know how to light a fire,' said Lady Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, nonsense,' replied Daisy. 'It is a very good thing to learn; and, +anyhow, you needn't spoil your dainty fingers if <I>I</I> undertake the job. +Nothing will collect the girls round us—the English girls, I +mean—like seeing us seated by the glowing fire.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, anything is better than this,' said Leucha. 'And if you have +really collected the candle-ends and the faggots and the morsels of +coal, why, perhaps we 'll succeed.' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, yes, of course we'll succeed,' said Daisy. 'What in the world is +there to hinder us? We have got our wits, I presume; and when we sit +in the Summer Parlour with a great blazing fire lighting up the place, +I shouldn't be a scrap surprised if Mary Barton, Agnes +Featherstonhaugh, and others joined us.' +</P> + +<P> +'I wouldn't have those Frasers now if they went on their bended knees,' +remarked Leucha; 'but if you will light the fire, Daisy, I don't mind +sitting by and watching you. I really, as the daughter of the Earl of +Crossways, cannot undertake so dirty a task.' +</P> + +<P> +'All right,' replied Daisy, 'if you do think so—and I'm quite as good +as you, remember—I 'll do my best. I 'll just run along now to the +Summer Parlour and see that the materials for lighting the fire are +there, Then I 'll come back and fetch you.' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' replied Leucha; 'I may as well see you at the job. You are +certain sure to fail, but conceit will have its way.' +</P> + +<P> +'Dear, dear,' thought Daisy Watson, 'what a very unpleasant girl Leucha +is becoming! I 'd leave her this blessed minute and go over to +Hollyhock, only perhaps Lady Crossways might be angry. Leucha gets +more like her mother each day—a kind of sneering look about her face, +which really gives her a most disagreeable expression. But friendship +is friendship, and I won't forsake her if I can help it.' +</P> + +<P> +So Daisy flew to the Summer Parlour, which was just perceptible in the +twilight. No place could look more cold and comfortless; but Daisy was +so madly anxious to do something that she set about her task with a +will. She had secretly purloined some faggots, bits of coal, and +candle-ends; but she had quite forgotten to ascertain whether the +faggots were dry or not; and she was equally ignorant of the fact that +as a rule even dry faggots require a small supply of paper to enable +them to 'catch' and attack the nice little black lumps of coal, which, +with the aid of the candle-ends, might yield a glowing, gleaming, +beautiful fire. She had made friends with one of the servants, and had +therefore an idea how to lay her fire. She had also secured a candle, +one solitary whole candle, which she placed in a brass candlestick. +</P> + +<P> +To all appearance everything was now ready. She felt certain that her +fire could not fail, and went back in high spirits to Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'Come,' she said, 'come. I 'm ready to set fire to the pile.' +</P> + +<P> +A good many girls saw these two go out. They had wrapped themselves up +in warm cloaks, which were quite suited to the frosty weather. +</P> + +<P> +Leucha shivered as she walked in the direction of the Summer Parlour. +The new girls were now busily engaged at a private and luxurious tea +with Mrs Macintyre, which was the invariable tribute paid to each new +pupil. They were, therefore, out of the way. +</P> + +<P> +'The hour strikes,' said Hollyhock. 'Come along, Meg.' +</P> + +<P> +Meg shrank and shivered. 'Oh, but, Holly, I'd much rather not.' +</P> + +<P> +'It is too late to change now, dear Meg. You must just think of the +ghost, and the ghost only. Come at once to the ghostie's hut, and I +'ll dress you up.— Lassies, the rest of you had best keep out of +sight, although you are welcome to linger in the shrubbery to see the +fun. But now listen. When <I>I</I> give the words, "Go, ghostie! <I>Run</I>, +ghostie, run! I cannot dry your wet hair this night, for I have a +lassie lying in a swoon across my arms," then you must scatter, scatter +with all the speed you have in you, or the sport will be spoiled.' +</P> + +<P> +So, while Leucha and Daisy were struggling in vain with the fire in the +Summer Parlour, which flared up occasionally with a woeful gleam, and +then expired, and while Leucha felt crosser and crosser each moment, +and the night fell over the land, in the ghost's hut Margaret Drummond +was being dressed up to impersonate the hapless youth who had suffered +death by drowning on the night before his wedding. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock was in the wildest excitement as she arranged Margaret +Drummond for her part. Margaret was fortunately extremely tall and +thin. Her hands were made to represent those of a skeleton by means of +a quantity of white chalk and black charcoal. Her face was likewise +covered with this ghastly mixture. She was then wrapped from head to +foot in an old Cameron cloak, which Hollyhock had secured from The +Garden during the week. On her head she wore an old-fashioned peaked +hat and a wig with long, dripping locks. Her own hair had been tied +tightly out of sight. +</P> + +<P> +'You are wonderful,' sighed Hollyhock. 'There isn't a boy in the land +that could beat you. Now, then, stay where you are until I come to +fetch you. Then, when I say, "Fly, ghostie! away, ghostie!" you can go +back to the hut and take off the disguise which turns you into so +fearsome an object. I have brought a jug of hot water, and here is a +basin, and you can wash your face and hands. Leuchy will certainly not +recognise you. And now I must be off, for the conspiracy—the best of +all—has begun.' +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock, beside herself with mirth, had, however, not forgotten to +give the poor ghostie an old-fashioned lantern, which she was to hold +in such a position as to show off her skeleton hands and ghastly face. +This was left lighted in the hut. There was little time to lose, for +soon the girls would be expected to return to the house for their +excellent Saturday supper, a special treat which was given to all those +girls who could not go home. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock rushed up to the Summer Parlour. The night was clear and +cold, but there was not a breath of wind blowing. All in vain the two +girls were bending over the fire, which refused to catch. Heaps of +girls were peeping in and watching the efforts of the two who were +trying to light the fire. +</P> + +<P> +'I never did <I>such</I> dirty work in my life before,' said Lady Leucha. +'Come back to the house, Daisy. I shall be sick if I sit and shiver +here any longer.' +</P> + +<P> +'There 's one more bit of candle,' replied Daisy. 'Perhaps that will +do the job. I never heard of a fire being so difficult to set glowing.' +</P> + +<P> +'And I never heard of a girl being so vain and silly,' remarked Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock whispered to her companions, who immediately dispersed into +different parts of the grounds. The night was perfect for her purpose. +She felt half-mad with delight. She was only sorry for Daisy, who +meant no harm, but was in leading-strings to that proud Lady Leucha. +Leucha deserved her fate richly. Daisy did not. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock whispered certain directions to her followers to try to get +Daisy out of the way. This they promised, feeling quite sure that they +could easily manage it. +</P> + +<P> +Just as Daisy's last morsel of candle expired a voice sounded from +afar: 'Daisy Watson, you are wanted in the house. Go in as fast as you +can!' +</P> + +<P> +Two or three girls boldly entered the Summer Parlour, clasped Daisy by +both arms, and dragged her toward the house. Leucha was now alone. +She was wild with rage at this final desertion. +</P> + +<P> +Wrapping her cloak round her, she prepared to step out of the Parlour. +The Scots, the English, and the French girls all hid behind trees. +Hollyhock was near, but not too near. Leucha wrapped her cloak tightly +round her. It <I>was</I> cold! She would be glad to get in out of the +bitter air. She made up her mind to write that very night to her +mother to remove her at any cost from this horrible school; but +although she made up her mind, she knew quite well that the said mother +would pay no attention to her. Was it not the aim of her life to have +her only girl educated in the Palace of the Kings? And she was the +last person to be influenced by mere girlish sadness and loneliness. +</P> + +<P> +All these thoughts flashed through Leucha's mind as she stepped into +the still, frosty night. She went a few yards; then she stood +motionless, transfixed, turned for the time being into stone. +What—what was this horror coming to meet her? A tall figure with +skeleton hands and face, wearing a very mournful expression in the +eyes—a figure that walked slowly, solemnly, such as she had certainly +<I>never</I> seen before. She felt herself alone and a long way from home, +for the Summer Parlour was quite a distance from the house. The figure +held a lantern in its skeleton hands, which was so cleverly arranged +that it lit up the worn features and revealed the dripping locks. +</P> + +<P> +'Dry my hair, my wet hair!' cried the ghost in a deep sepulchral voice. +'Kind English maid, be so kind as to dry my hair!' +</P> + +<P> +Leucha gave vent to an irrepressible shriek of horror. She had always +hitherto laughed at the bare idea of the ghost; but now most truly she +believed it. The ghost—the ghost in very truth—was there. He was +facing her; he stood before her; he stood in her very path. How +mournful, how horrible, was his voice! How more than fearful was his +appearance! Her blood ran cold; her hair seemed to stand upright on +her head. Indescribable was her horror. +</P> + +<P> +'Go, ghostie!' suddenly cried a familiar voice, 'You have no right to +torment an English maid. I 'll come out presently and dry your locks; +but be off with you now, be off! Get away, or I'll never dry your +dripping locks again!' +</P> + +<P> +The ghost gave a hollow moan. There was the sound of many feet running +in different directions, and Leucha would certainly have fainted had +not Hollyhock put her firm young arm round her. +</P> + +<P> +Oh, how she hated Hollyhock! And yet how she loved her at that moment! +The warm feeling of human flesh and blood was delicious. Lady Leucha +clung to Hollyhock and laid her head on her shoulder. +</P> + +<P> +'Come, girlie; come,' said Hollyhock in her most seductive tones. 'My +Lord Alasdair had no right to ask <I>you</I> to dry his locks. Lean on me, +lassie; lean on me. You did get an awful shock.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, oh,' sobbed Leucha, 'then I did see a ghost!' +</P> + +<P> +'You saw what you saw. Come along home now. I 'll see to you.' +</P> + +<P> +'You are—Hollyhock,' said Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes; and whyever not?' +</P> + +<P> +'Then there <I>is</I> a ghost, and you are going to dry his hair! How <I>can</I> +you—how <I>can</I> you?' +</P> + +<P> +'Poor ghost! I must do my little bit to comfort him,' said Hollyhock. +'Eh, but you are a real brave lass, that you are, Leuchy, my pet. Now +lean on me, and I 'll bring you in to the cosy house, and the warm +fire, and the good supper. There's no malice in Hollyhock. She's only +a bit wild. Oh, but won't I give it to that ghost; he had no right to +ask those services of an English girl!' +</P> + +<P> +Firmer and firmer did Hollyhock support her trembling companion, and +the girl who hated her, but who clung to her so tightly at that moment, +entered the house with Hollyhock's arms about her. +</P> + +<P> +There were a number of girls in the great hall—the most magnificent +hall in the country. +</P> + +<P> +'Poor thing!' said Hollyhock, 'the ghostie walks this night, and I must +run to dry his wet locks; but get something hot for Leuchy to drink, +and comfort her all you can, lassies. A Scots ghost—my word! he had +no right to beg for the services of a maid from England. I of +Caledonia will go out and dry his wet locks!' +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap18"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVIII. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +LEUCHA'S TERROR. +</H4> + +<P> +While Leucha was undergoing her heavy punishment, and while the +supposed ghostie was walking in the grounds of the Palace of the Kings, +a very different group had assembled at the dear old Garden. Mrs +Constable's school, her Annex, was filling fast with the bonniest boys +that England and Scotland could produce. +</P> + +<P> +Mr Lennox kept a holiday for the great occasion, and on Saturday night +there were high jinks at The Garden. The only one of that happy party +who felt, in spite of herself, a little anxious, a little nervous, was +Jasmine, for she could not help being concerned about the defiant +expression in the bright eyes of Hollyhock. She thought of Holly +notwithstanding all the fun and the merriment, but the delight of +talking again to her dear brother-cousin Jasper dispelled her fears. +She had little time for serious thought. This was surely a right good +day, and she was soon enjoying it as fully as the rest. Of course, Mrs +Constable brought her strange laddies with her, as well as her own dear +boys, and many and gay were the songs they sang and the games they +played. Two of the songs they sang were the following, from the +beloved lips of Robert Burns: +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +Ae fond kiss, and then we sever;<BR> +Ae fareweel, and then for ever!<BR> +Deep in heart-wrung tears I 'll pledge thee,<BR> +Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee.<BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +Had we never loved sae kindly!<BR> +Had we never loved sae blindly!<BR> +Never met—or never parted,<BR> +We had ne'er been broken-hearted.<BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +Fare-thee-weel, thou first and fairest!<BR> +Fare-thee-weel, thou best and dearest!<BR> +Thine be ilka joy and treasure,<BR> +Peace, enjoyment, love, and pleasure.<BR> +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +This pathetic song was immediately followed by the well-known strains +of 'Bonie Lesley:' +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +O saw ye bonie Lesley,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">As she gaed o'er the Border!</SPAN><BR> +She's gane, like Alexander,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">To spread her conquests farther!</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +To see her is to love her,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">And love but her for ever;</SPAN><BR> +For Nature made her what she is,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">And never made anither!</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +Return again, fair Lesley,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Return to Caledonie!</SPAN><BR> +That we may brag we hae a lass<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">There's nane again sae bonie!</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +'Come, children,' said Mrs Constable, 'we 'll not have any more Scots +songs at present. Some of us are not Scots, remember. I now propose a +really good game of charades. Who is agreed?' +</P> + +<P> +All went well, and better than well, and even Jasmine forgot her +undefined fears, until a little past ten o'clock, when a wild-looking, +half-scared girl rushed in and said, 'Oh, the poor thing—the poor +thing—and I meant no harm—I did not, really!' +</P> + +<P> +'What is the matter?' said Mr Lennox. +</P> + +<P> +'I am called Margaret Drummond, and there's such an awful to-do at the +Palace of the Kings that I 'm afraid to go back there!' +</P> + +<P> +'But what have <I>you</I> to do with it? What can be wrong?' said Lennox. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, I had a great deal to do with it; but, please, I 'd rather not +say, for the one I speak of bade me not to say. Oh, but there is a +fuss! It's poor Leucha. She's screaming and crying, and nothing will +help her. The doctor has been there, but he can't quiet her a bit. +She clings to Hollyhock and says, "Save me from the ghost; save me from +the ghost!" And the doctor says that if she is not quieted, she may +get really bad before the morning.' +</P> + +<P> +'Father,' said Jasmine suddenly, 'I know Margaret Drummond well, and +she's a fine girl; and if you'll allow me, I 'll go straight back with +her to the Palace of the Kings.' +</P> + +<P> +'But why should you, my love? Our Hollyhock has had nothing to do with +this!' +</P> + +<P> +'Nothing; less than nothing,' muttered Margaret Drummond. +</P> + +<P> +'She could not have had, for this girl, Leucha, or some such name, is +clinging to her. But still, if you wish to go, Jasmine, and think that +you can do any good, start away at once, my lass. You can come back +to-morrow morning.' +</P> + +<P> +So Jasmine went with Margaret, who looked really sick with terror, and +clung to her companion as Leucha had clung to Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'There now, there now, we'll soon put things right,' said Jasmine. +'It's an awful pity that you don't tell the truth, Meg!' +</P> + +<P> +'I do tell the truth—I do. I cannot go back on my word.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, then, you must leave the matter to me. The only thing I can do +is to soothe Leucha as best I can; while you must walk boldly into the +house. It's your bed-hour and past it, isn't it?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, yes; but I have no heart to eat or to sleep.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, you go straight up to your room, Meg, and get into bed as fast +as you can, and I 'll bring you up something. If you have sworn +secrecy you must keep it; but whatever happens, don't be frightened. +Leucha is very weak of nerve, and has been feeling our desertion most +cruelly, I 'm thinking.' +</P> + +<P> +'Not a bit of it,' said Meg. 'She's a perfectly horrid girl. Even +Daisy has left her now!' +</P> + +<P> +'Dear, dear, poor thing!' said Jasmine. 'Then she must be lonely!' +</P> + +<P> +'She is, I have no doubt; but she has got our Hollyhock with her now.' +</P> + +<P> +'That is altogether too remarkable,' said Jasmine. 'I fear I shall +have to look into the mystery. But get you to bed, Meg. Don't appear +at all. I 'll see that some supper reaches you soon. In the meantime +I must attend to Leuchy and her new nurse, Hollyhock! My word! +Hollyhock turned into a nurse!' +</P> + +<P> +Accordingly, the two girls entered the great hall, which was empty +except for one or two teachers, who were still sitting up with anxious +expressions on their faces. +</P> + +<P> +Meg took the opportunity to fly to her room, where presently a great +bowl of Scots gruel was brought to her. She had long ere now carefully +removed the last traces of the ghostie. There was no sign of the ghost +about this commonplace girl any longer. She was glad to get her gruel, +and tumbled into bed, trusting that Jasmine, who was so wise and +clever, would put wrong right. But, alas for Margaret Drummond! wrong +is seldom put right in this world of ours without pain, and although +she slept soundly that night, her task of confession lay before her on +the following morning. +</P> + +<P> +Jasmine, entering the house, went boldly up to her sister's room, which +she found empty. She then, without knocking, opened the door of +Leucha's bedroom. Leucha was supported in bed by Hollyhock, who was +feeding her with morsels of choice and nourishing food, and was talking +to her in the gentlest and most soothing way. +</P> + +<P> +'Who is that?' said Leucha in an angry tone. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock looked annoyed for a moment, but then the irrepressible fun +in her nature sparkled in her bold, black eyes. She sat in such a +position that the pale-eyed Leucha was resting against her shoulder. +Her soft hands were gently soothing Leucha's long, thin hair, and she +kept on saying, 'Whist, lassie; whist! He did a daring thing, but he +'ll never do it again to you, my bonnie bit of London town.' +</P> + +<P> +'Are you sure, Hollyhock? Are you certain he won't come back?' +</P> + +<P> +'Haven't I dried his hair and sent him to his rest in the bottom of the +lake, and didn't I tell him not to dare to speak to a lady again who +was not Scottish born and bred? He was frightened, was the poor ghost, +and he went away <I>so</I> humble. He would not go without my drying his +hair. No, no, you have nothing to fear!' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh Hollyhock, I hated you so much; but I love you now. I do really. +Couldn't you sleep in the bed with me?' +</P> + +<P> +'To be sure, my lassie; and whyever not? You got a nasty stroke of a +fright; but he 'll come no more. I wish with all my heart I could put +a bit of flesh on his skeleton hands and skeleton face. I do pity him +so much, so lonesome he is and so sad. But he won't trouble <I>you</I> any +more, my little lass, and I 'll sleep beside you this night.' +</P> + +<P> +'Who is that coming into the room?' said Leucha, as Jasmine appeared on +the scene. +</P> + +<P> +'I've heard a great talk about a ghost,' said Jasmine. +</P> + +<P> +'Well,' cried Hollyhock, 'we had better drop the subject. The poor +thing is so frightened, she doesn't know what she's doing. I feel, +somehow, my whole heart drawn out to her. Leave her to me, for +goodness' sake, Jasmine. I'm just quieting her off. She's too excited +to talk about the ghost any more to-night.' +</P> + +<P> +'I 've seen the ghost—the real ghost,' said Leucha, looking with +hollow eyes at Jasmine. 'He does walk, and he's very tall, and has +skeleton hands and a skeleton face; and he asked me—<I>me</I>—to dry his +wet hair!' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, do leave us alone now!' said Hollyhock. 'Am I not trying to +quieten her down, and you disturb everything?' +</P> + +<P> +'I must speak to you, Hollyhock; I really must.' +</P> + +<P> +'No, no; you mustn't leave me for a minute!' cried Leucha. 'You are +the only one with courage in the school. I 'd go mad if you were to +leave me now.' +</P> + +<P> +'I'll talk to you in the morning,' said Hollyhock. 'I cannot leave +her; see for yourself how excited she is.' +</P> + +<P> +Jasmine certainly saw that Leucha was terribly excited, that she had +got a fearful shock; and although <I>she</I> could put Leucha's mind at +rest, on the other hand, Hollyhock, for the time, had won her round. +Hollyhock, the soul of mischief, whom Leucha had so openly defied, was +now her one support, her sole comfort. Jasmine made up her mind with +some reluctance to let the matter lie over until the morning; then, of +course, it must be told, and by Hollyhock herself. She felt sorry; for +this mischievous little sister had won the coldest heart of the coldest +girl in the school, and if justice was not done, she would cling to +Hollyhock for ever. Was it necessary that justice should be done? +</P> + +<P> +Jasmine went slowly away to her own room, determined to think matters +over very gravely, wondering if she would do a wise thing, after all, +in declaring Hollyhock's guilt. +</P> + +<P> +'What a girlie she is!' thought the sister. 'There never was her +equal. She really has achieved a marvellous victory; but, oh, it was +naughty; it was wrong! I do wonder what I ought to do!' +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap19"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIX. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +JASMINE'S RESOLVE. +</H4> + +<P> +The whole circumstances of the case kept Jasmine wide awake during the +greater part of the night. She slept and woke again, and each time she +slept she saw a picture of her naughty sister Hollyhock and of that +unpleasant girl, Leucha Villiers, clinging together as though they +were, and always would be, the very greatest of friends. +</P> + +<P> +Now Leucha, in her way, was quite as troublesome an inmate of the +school as was Hollyhock; but whereas Hollyhock was the life and darling +of the school, Leucha, the uninteresting, the lonely, the proud, the +defiant, the cold, cold English girl, chose to be alone with the single +exception of a friend, who was as uninteresting as herself. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock, in the most extraordinary—yes, there is no doubt of it—in +the most <I>naughty</I> way, had brought Leucha round to her side. But if +Leucha were told the truth that a hoax had been played upon her, that +there was no real ghost, then indeed her wrath would burn fiercely; +and, in fact, to put it briefly, there would start in the school a +profound feud. Several of the girls, more especially the English +girls, would go over to Leucha's side. Yes, without the slightest +doubt, a great deal of mischief would be done if she were told. Poor +little Jasmine had never before been confronted by so great a problem. +Hitherto in her sweet, pure life right had been right and wrong wrong; +but now what was right?—what <I>was</I> wrong? +</P> + +<P> +She turned restlessly and feverishly on her pillow, and got up very +early in the morning, hoping to have a quiet talk first with Hollyhock, +then with Margaret Drummond. She was not particularly concerned about +Margaret, who naturally followed the lead of a strong character like +Hollyhock's. Nevertheless, she had left her the night before in such +stress of mind that whatever happened, whatever course they pursued, +she must be soothed and comforted. +</P> + +<P> +Jasmine was relieved to find Hollyhock standing outside Leucha's door. +Hollyhock looked quite wild and anxious. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, but it's I that have had an awful night, Jasmine!' she exclaimed. +'She has gone off into a sleep now, poor thing; but I never, never did +think that she would take this matter so to heart. We mustn't tell +her, Jasmine. It would kill her if she knew.' +</P> + +<P> +'But, Holly, you really are incorrigible. How am I to go on in the +school if you play these terrible pranks?' +</P> + +<P> +'It's the mischief in me joined to a bit o' the de'il,' retorted +Hollyhock. 'But she must <I>never</I> know—never. I have been up with her +the whole night, and she has just dropped off into slumber. I must go +back to her immediately. You won't tell, Jasmine darling? It would do +her a cruel wrong. I have brought her round to me at last, the poor, +ugly thing; but if she was to learn—to learn! Oh Jasmine, it would be +just too awful!' +</P> + +<P> +'Well,' said Jasmine, 'I do not see how we are to keep it from her; but +you have certainly won her in a most remarkable way. You must promise +me, Holly darling, that you 'll never play such a wicked prank again.' +</P> + +<P> +'Never—never to <I>her</I>, poor Leuchy! I can make no further promises, +being chock-full of mischief as an egg is full of meat.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, I 'll allow it to remain as it is at present. I doubt if I 'm +doing right; and I doubt if it can be kept from her, for so many girls +in the school know.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, I 'll manage the girls. You leave them to me, Jasmine, and go +back to The Garden.' +</P> + +<P> +'It father knew what you had done he would not allow you back to The +Garden until the end of term,' replied Jasmine. +</P> + +<P> +'What! when I have won the bit speck of a heart of the coldest girl in +the school?' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, at any rate, we will let things be at present; but I must go up +and speak to Margaret Drummond. She is fretting like anything about +the whole affair.' +</P> + +<P> +'Meg,' said Hollyhock in a tone of contempt—'let her fret; only tell +her from me to keep her tongue from wagging. Why, she was cut out for +a ghostie, so thin and tall she is. I had only to use a wee bit of +chalk and a trifle of charcoal, and the deed was done. A more +beautiful live ghost could not be seen than Meg Drummond. She did look +a fearsome thing. I have put the old cloak and the Cameron's cocked +hat in a wee oak trunk in the ghost's hut. Here is the key of the +trunk, Jasmine. You run along and lock it. Now run, run, for I hear +Leucha twisting and turning in her sleep. I must get back to her. You +manage Meg, and lock the trunk, and we are all right—that we are.' +</P> + +<P> +Jasmine felt, on the contrary, that they were all wrong; but, overcome +by Hollyhock's superior strength, she obeyed her young, wild sister to +the letter. She found, however, that her task with Meg Drummond was no +easy one. Meg had a very sensitive conscience, and now that the fun +was over, and she was no longer acting as poor ghost with his dripping +locks, she felt truly horrified at what she had done. The only road to +peace was by confession. Of course she would confess and put things +all right; there was nothing else to be done. Nevertheless, after a +vast amount of arguing on the part of Jasmine, who assured her that if +she told the simple truth <I>now</I>, Leucha might and probably would become +most alarmingly ill, and that she would certainly hate poor Hollyhock +to her dying day—for Jasmine well grasped the true character of the +English girl—Meg began to waver. +</P> + +<P> +'Still, I <I>ought</I> to confess,' said Margaret Drummond. 'I 'm willing +to accept any punishment Mrs Macintyre chooses to put upon me.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, dear Meg,' exclaimed Jasmine, 'I've been thinking the matter over +all night—backwards and forwards have I been twisting it in my +mind—and though I do think you did wrong, and Holly did <I>worse</I> than +wrong, yet she has achieved a wonderful victory. She has secured for +herself the passionate love of the coldest and most uninteresting girl +in the school.' +</P> + +<P> +'I do not care for that,' said Margaret. 'She's just nothing at all to +me; and I did wrong, and I ought to confess, for the good of my soul.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, nonsense, Meg; don't be such a little Puritan. Leucha is far from +well now, and the only person who can calm and control her is Holly. +If you take Holly away from her, which you will do by confession, you +may possibly have to answer for Leucha's very life. Be sensible, Meg +dear, and wait at any rate until I come back on Monday morning.' +</P> + +<P> +'I 'll wait till then,' said Meg; 'but it's a mighty heavy burden, and +Holly had no right to put it on to me, and then to act the part of +comforter herself. My word! she is a queer lassie.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, let things bide as they are till to-morrow at least,' said +Jasmine. 'And now I <I>must</I> go home or father will wonder what is the +matter.' +</P> + +<P> +Jasmine, having made up her mind that Leucha was not to be told, went +with her usual Scots determination to work. She visited poor ghostie's +trunk in the hut, and having secured from her favourite Magsie a large +sheet of brown paper and some string, she not only locked the trunk, +but took away all signs of the adventure of the night before. The bits +of chalk, the sticks of black charcoal, the cloak, the pointed hat, the +wig, were all removed. The hut looked as neglected as ever, and the +trunk, empty of all tell-tale contents, had its key hung on a little +hook on the wall. +</P> + +<P> +Then Jasmine returned to The Garden, bearing ghostie's belongings with +her. All this happened at so early an hour that Jasmine had time to +put away the cloak of the Camerons, the peaked hat, the wet wig, into a +certain cupboard where they were usually kept in one of the attics. +She then went downstairs, had a hot bath, put on her prettiest Sunday +frock, and joined the others at breakfast. Of course, there were +innumerable questions asked her with regard to her sudden departure the +night before, and also with regard to the distracted-looking girl who +had burst into their midst in the great hall in The Garden. But +Jasmine, having made up her mind, made it up thoroughly. +</P> + +<P> +'I did not expect it of a Scots girl,' she remarked, 'but I 'm thinking +that all is right now, and we can enjoy our Sabbath rest without let or +hindrance.' +</P> + +<P> +Sunday was a day when Cecilia Constable and her brother brought up +their children with a strictness unknown in England. Games and fairy +tales were forbidden; but when kirk was over, they were all allowed to +enjoy themselves in pleasant and friendly intercourse. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile matters were not going well at the Palace of the Kings; for +Leucha, never strong mentally, had got so serious a fright that she was +now highly feverish, and neither the doctor nor Mrs Macintyre could +make out what was the matter with her. The girls were requested to +walk softly and whisper low. The house, by Dr Maguire's order, was +kept very still, and Hollyhock took possession of the sickroom. There +she nursed Leucha as only she could, soothing her, petting her, holding +her hand, and acting, according to Dr Maguire, in the most marvellous +manner. +</P> + +<P> +'Never did I see such a lassie,' was his remark. 'She has the gift of +the real nurse in her.—But, Miss Hollyhock,' he continued, 'you must +not be tied to this sickroom all day. I must 'phone to Edinburgh and +get a nurse to attend to the young lady.' +</P> + +<P> +'I 'll have no one but Hollyhock,' almost shrieked the distracted +Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, doctor dear, I think you had best leave her to me. I 'm not a +bit tired, and we understand one another.' +</P> + +<P> +'I do believe this poor child has been up with her all night,' said Mrs +Macintyre. +</P> + +<P> +'And what if I have?' cried Holly. 'Is a friend worth anything it she +can't give up her night's rest? I 'll stay with my friend. We +understand one another.' +</P> + +<P> +So Hollyhock had her way; and although the girls whispered mysteriously +downstairs, and Meg Drummond looked ghastly and miserable, neither Mrs +Macintyre nor any of the teachers had the slightest suspicion of what +had really occurred. +</P> + +<P> +Daisy Watson, it is true, ventured to peep into Leucha's room; but the +excited girl told her, with a wild shriek, to go away and never come +near her again, and Hollyhock and Magsie managed Leucha between them. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock was now the soul of calm. She coaxed the sick girl to sleep, +and when she awoke she told her funny stories, which made her laugh; +and she herself sat during the greater part of that day with her hand +locked in the hot hand of Leucha. It was she who applied the soothing +eau de Cologne and water to Leucha's brow. It was she who swore to +Leucha that their friendship was to be henceforth great and eternal. +On one of these occasions, when Hollyhock had to go downstairs to one +of her meals, Leucha welcomed her back with beaming eyes. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh Hollyhock, I used to hate you!' +</P> + +<P> +'Don't trouble, lassie. You have taken another twist round the other +way, I 'm thinking.' +</P> + +<P> +'I have—I have. Oh Hollyhock, there never was anybody like you in the +world!' +</P> + +<P> +'I 'm bad enough when I like,' said Holly. 'Shall I sing you a bit of +a tune now? Would that comfort you?' +</P> + +<P> +'I 'm thinking of that awful ghost,' said Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'Do not be silly, Leucha, my pet. Didn't I tell you he will not try +his hand again on an English girl? Now, then, I 'm going to sing +something so soothing, so soft, that you cannot, for a moment, but love +to listen.' +</P> + +<P> +The rich contralto voice rose and fell. The girl in the bed lay +motionless, absorbed, listening. This was sweet music indeed. Could +she have believed it possible that Hollyhock could put such marvellous +tenderness into her wonderful voice? +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +'Ye Hielands and ye Lowlands,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Oh! where hae ye been!</SPAN><BR> +They hae slain the Earl o' Murray,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">And hae laid him on the green.</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +'Now wae be to thee, Huntley,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">And whairfore did ye say</SPAN><BR> +I bade ye bring him wi' you,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">But forbid you him to slay!</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +'He was a braw gallant,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">And he rid at the ring,</SPAN><BR> +And the bonnie Earl o' Murray,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Oh, he might hae been a king!</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +He was a braw gallant,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">And he played at the ba';</SPAN><BR> +And the bonnie Earl o' Murray<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Was the flower amang them a'!</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +'He was a braw gallant,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">And he played at the gluve;</SPAN><BR> +And the bonnie Earl o' Murray,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Oh, he was the Queen's luve!</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +'Oh, lang will his lady<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Look owre the Castle downe,</SPAN><BR> +Ere she see the Earl o' Murray<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Come sounding thro' the town!'</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +Leucha's eyes half closed, half opened, and she was soothed +inexpressibly by the lovely voice. Hollyhock, holding her hand, +continued: +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +'Oh, waly, waly up the bank,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">And waly, waly doun the brae,</SPAN><BR> +And waly, waly yon burnside,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Where I and my luve were wont to gae!</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +'Oh, waly, waly, gin luve be bonnie,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">A little time while it is new!</SPAN><BR> +And when 'tis auld it waxeth cauld,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">And fades awa' like mornin' dew.'</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +The voice was now so soft, so altogether enticing, that it seemed to +the feverish girl as though angels were in the room. Hollyhock dropped +her notes to a yet lower key: +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +'Over the mountains<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">And over the waves,</SPAN><BR> +Under the fountains<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">And under the graves;</SPAN><BR> +Under floods that are deepest,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Which Neptune obey,</SPAN><BR> +Over rocks that are steepest,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Love will find out the way!'</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +There was no sound at all in the room. The sick girl was sleeping +gently, peacefully—the unhappy, miserable girl—for <I>love had found +out the way</I>. +</P> + +<P> +When the doctor came in the evening, he was amazed at the change for +the better in his young patient. All the fever had left her, and she +lay very calm and quiet. Hollyhock suggested that a little camp-bed +should be put up in the room, in which she might sleep; and as her +power over Leucha was so remarkable, this suggestion was at once +acceded to both by Dr Maguire and Mrs Macintyre. They had been really +anxious about the girl in the morning; but now, owing to Hollyhock's +wonderful management, Leucha slept all night long, the beautiful sleep +of the weary and the happy. +</P> + +<P> +Once in the middle of the night Hollyhock heard her murmur to herself, +'Love will find out the way,' and she stretched out her hand +immediately, and touched that of Leucha, with a sort of divine +compassion which was part of the instinct of this extraordinary child. +</P> + +<P> +During the next few days Leucha was kept in bed and very quiet, and +Hollyhock was excused lessons, being otherwise occupied. But a girl, a +healthy girl, even though suffering from shock, quickly gets over it if +properly managed, and by the middle of the week Leucha was allowed to +go downstairs and sit in the ingle-nook, while the girls who had +hitherto detested her crowded round to congratulate their beloved +Hollyhock's friend. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, she's all that,' said Hollyhock; 'and now those who want me to +talk with them and make myself agreeable must be friends with my dear +Leuchy, for where I go, there goes Leuchy. Eh, but she's a bonnie +lass, and she was treated cruel, first by our deserting her, and then +by what will not be named. But she 's all right now.—You belong to +me, Leuchy.' +</P> + +<P> +'That I do,' replied Leucha; and so marvellously had love found out the +way that the very expression of her unpleasant little face had +completely altered. As Hollyhock's friend, she was now admitted into +the greatest secrets of the school; but the real secret of the ghost +was still kept back. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap20"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XX. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +MEG'S CONSCIENCE. +</H4> + +<P> +All went well for a time in the school, and all would have gone well +for a much longer period had it not been for Meg Drummond. Meg did not +mean to make mischief; but, alas! she was troubled by a conscience. +This she considered very virtuous and noble on her part; but she was +also troubled by something else, which was neither virtuous nor noble. +She seemed jealous—frantically jealous—of Leucha Villiers. +</P> + +<P> +Lady Crossways had spoken of her young daughter as 'my cold, +distinguished child, who never wears her heart on her sleeve.' Lady +Crossways was very proud of this trait in Leucha, and Leucha herself +was proud of it, and treasured and fostered it until she came across +Hollyhock. From the first she was attracted by Hollyhock—a queer sort +of attraction, a mingling of love and jealous hate; but now it was all +love, all devotion. As a matter of fact, she tried Hollyhock very +much, following her about like the kitchen cat when she smelt cream, +fawning upon her in a way which soon became repulsive to Hollyhock, +refusing to have any other friend, and over and over again in the day +kissing Hollyhock's hands, her brow, her cheeks, her lips. All this +sort of thing was pure torture to Hollyhock. But although she was +terribly tried, she determined to go through with her mission, and +hoped ere long to train Leucha into finer and grander ways. By their +father's permission, Leucha was invited to accompany the Flower Girls +to The Garden on a certain Saturday. The boys looked at her with +undisguised disdain, and expressed openly their astonishment at +Hollyhock's taste; but when she begged of them to be good to the poor +girlie, the Precious Stones succumbed, as they ever did, to bonnie +Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +The school had been open now for some time, and the full number of +seventy was made up. Leucha was now so infatuated with Hollyhock that +she no longer regretted her being the queen of the school. Hollyhock, +for her part, held serious conversations with her sisters about the +girl whom she had so strangely conquered. +</P> + +<P> +'We must make a woman of her,' said Hollyhock. 'She is naught in life +but a cringing kitchen cat at present, but it is our bounden duty to +turn her into something better. How shall we set to work, lassies?' +</P> + +<P> +The Flower Girls considered. Jasmine inquired anxiously if Leucha was +clever in any particular branch. +</P> + +<P> +'No,' said Hollyhock; 'she could not even make a ghostie.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, can we not pretend that she is clever?' said Gentian. +</P> + +<P> +'That's a good notion,' exclaimed Hollyhock. 'I have heard whispers +that there are big prizes to be given in the school by the Duke to the +girls that are best in different subjects. <I>We</I> don't want prizes, not +we; but that little Leuchy, she 'd be up to her eyes with joy if we +were to set her trying for a prize. I 'm thinking that Mrs Macintyre +will declare the nature of the prizes very soon. After prayers +to-morrow I 'll set Leuchy on to try for one. I 'll help her, if I +can, privately. She has got what I have not, and that's ambition. I +can work on that; and, lassies, it will be a great relief to me, for I +hate—I <I>hate</I> being purred on and kissed all day long. I must put up +with it; but it's trying, seeing my own nature is contrariwise to that.' +</P> + +<P> +The five girls talked a while of the coming prizes. +</P> + +<P> +Leucha was now under the charge of Jasper, and they got on tolerably +well, for Jasper would do anything in the world for Hollyhock, and as +Hollyhock was the only love of Leucha's life, she talked on no other +subject whatsoever to the lad. +</P> + +<P> +'Well,' he exclaimed, 'you surely don't tell me that you kiss +her—<I>kiss</I> Holly!—and she so prickly with thorns?' +</P> + +<P> +'Indeed, I do, Jasper. She loves my kisses; she would not take them +from any one else.' +</P> + +<P> +'Wonders will never cease,' said Jasper. 'I would not disgrace the +bonnie dear by stupid old kisses.' +</P> + +<P> +'But you are a boy, Jasper. You 're quite different,' said Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, I'm thinking not so very. I'm first cousin to her, remember, +which happens to be next door to brother. But there, let's talk of +something else. What mischief is the dear up to now?' +</P> + +<P> +Leucha related a few harmless little pranks, for Hollyhock did not dare +to give vent to her real spirit of mischief while Leucha clung round +her like the kitchen cat. +</P> + +<P> +The next day Leucha and the Flower Girls returned to the school, and, +as Hollyhock had predicted, Mrs Macintyre called her flock around her +and said that she had an announcement to make regarding an arrangement +winch would be a yearly feature in the school. Six prizes of great +magnificence were to be awarded at the Christmas 'break-up.' These +were as follows: +</P> + +<P> +(1) For efficiency in learning. +</P> + +<P> +(2) For those games now so well known in schools. +</P> + +<P> +(3) For the best essay of about one thousand words, the subject to be +selected by each girl herself. The only proviso was that she must not +tell the other girls who were competing what subject she had chosen; +otherwise an absolutely free choice was given, and even Mrs Macintyre +was not to know the subjects selected before the momentous day when the +papers were given in. +</P> + +<P> +(4) A prize for good conduct generally. +</P> + +<P> +(5) A prize for progress made in French, German, and Italian history +and conversation, the girls choosing, however, only one of these three +great languages. +</P> + +<P> +(6) And, greatest of all, a prize was to be given—and here the +head-mistress could not help glancing for a brief moment at her dearly +loved Hollyhock—to one of the girls who was so brave that she feared +nothing, and so kind-hearted that she won the deep affection of the +entire school. +</P> + +<P> +The prizes were the gift of the great Duke of Ardshiel, and were to +take the form of lockets with the Duke's own crest set on them in +sparkling diamonds. The girls were to choose their own subjects, and +in especial were to choose their own ordeal for the final test of +valour, no one interfering with them or influencing their choice. +</P> + +<P> +These prizes the Duke promised to present year after year. One +condition he made—that a girl who won a gold and diamond locket might +try again, but could not win a second locket; if successful, she would +receive in its place what was called 'A Scroll of Honour,' which was to +be signed by the great Ardshiel himself. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs Macintyre after this announcement requested her pupils to go at +once to their several tasks, only adding that she hoped to receive the +names of the girls who meant to try for the six lockets by the +following evening at latest. +</P> + +<P> +The great and thrilling subject of the prizes was on every one's lips, +and each and all declared that Hollyhock was certain to get the prize +for valour and good-fellowship. What the test would be nobody knew, +and Hollyhock kept her own thoughts to herself. She was deeply +concerned, however, to set Leucha to work, and had a long talk with her +friend on the evening of that day. +</P> + +<P> +'You can try for the essay, Leuchy dear,' she said. +</P> + +<P> +'No, I can't; I haven't got the gift. I have got <I>no</I> gift except my +love for you. Oh, kiss me, Hollyhock; kiss me!' +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock endured a moat fervent embrace. A voice in the distance was +heard saying, 'Little fool. <I>I</I> cannot stand that nonsense!' +</P> + +<P> +'Who is talking?' said Leucha, standing back, her face assuming its old +unpleasant expression. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, nobody worth thinking of, dear,' said Hollyhock, who knew quite +well, however, that Margaret Drummond was the speaker. Margaret had +not been friendly to her—not in the old passionate, worshipful +way—since the night of the ghostie. Hollyhock's present object, +however, was to get Leucha to put down her name for the essay, +explaining to her how great would be the glory of the happy winner of +the diamond locket. +</P> + +<P> +'You may be sure it is worth trying for,' said Hollyhock, 'for the +brave old Duke never does anything by halves.' +</P> + +<P> +'Ah, kiss me, kiss me,' said Leucha. 'I'd do anything for you; you +know that.' +</P> + +<P> +'I do; but we won't have much time for kissing when we are busy over +our different tasks. I 'll help you a good bit with your essay, +Leuchy. There's no name given to the subject, so what do you say to +calling it "The Kitchen Cat"?' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, my word! I was angry with you then,' said Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'So you were, my bonnie dearie, and I only did it out of the spirit of +mischief; but I can instruct you <I>right</I> well in the ways of the +kitchen cat.' +</P> + +<P> +'I 've always hated cats,' said Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'You cannot hate wee Jean, and I'll tell you all her bonnie ways.' +</P> + +<P> +'What subject are you going to take yourself, Holly?' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, I—I 'm in the <I>danger zone</I>,' said Hollyhock, with a light laugh. +</P> + +<P> +'It terrifies me even now to think of that ghost!' +</P> + +<P> +'Don't be frightened, Leuchy. He means no harm, and he will not +trouble you again. So don't you trouble your bonnie head, but win the +glorious prize by an essay on the kitchen cat. I can assure you no one +else will choose <I>that</I> subject, so you have the field to yourself, and +well you'll do the work. Don't I <I>know</I> that you 'll get the beauteous +prize with the Duke's crest on it, in the stones that sparkle and +shine?' +</P> + +<P> +'Mother would like that well,' said Leucha. 'She would be just +delighted.' +</P> + +<P> +'Then try for your mother's sake, as well as your own.' +</P> + +<P> +'And you <I>will</I> help me, Holly?' +</P> + +<P> +'To be sure I will. There 's no rule against one girl helping another. +I 'll show you the way it 's to be done, and with your brains, Leuchy, +you'll easily win the prize. Listen now; I 'll put my name down this +very night for the <I>danger zone</I>, and you put your name down for the +essay. Then we 'll both be all right.' +</P> + +<P> +The six subjects for competition were taken up by quite half the +school, the girls sending in their names under <I>noms de plume</I> to Mrs +Macintyre, and in sealed envelopes. Never, surely, was there such an +exciting competition before, and never was there such eagerness shown +as by the various pupils who had resolved to try for the locket and +diamond crest of Ardshiel. +</P> + +<P> +All was indeed going smoothly, and all would have gone smoothly to the +end but for the jealous temperament of Margaret Drummond. For a time +she had remained faithful to Hollyhock, but, as she said to Jasmine, +the immortal soul in her breast troubled her, and as the days went by +and jealousy grew apace that immortal soul troubled her more and more. +The final straw came in an unlooked-for and unfortunate way. Leucha +had been asked to spend from Saturday to Monday at The Garden, and on +the following Saturday Margaret Drummond was to accompany the Flower +Girls to their home. The thought of going there and arguing about her +precious soul occupied her much during the week. She was also a fairly +clever girl, and was absorbed in the contest she had entered +for—'General Attainment of Knowledge.' But on Saturday morning there +came a disappointment to her, which roused her ire extremely. It was +news to the effect that Aunt Agnes Delacour was coming to The Garden, +and that she had written a peremptory letter asking that on the +occasion of this rare visit she herself should be the only guest. +</P> + +<P> +It was impossible not to accede to this request. Holly felt both angry +and alarmed, for she was not at all sure of Margaret Drummond; but +there was no help for it. On receiving her father's letter she went at +once to Margaret, who was packing her clothes for the great event, and +begged of her most earnestly to take the matter like a good lass, and +postpone her visit to The Garden until the following Saturday, giving +the true and only reason for this delay. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh!' said Margaret, 'I don't believe you, not for a minute. No woman +would wish to keep a poor girl from her promised enjoyment.' +</P> + +<P> +'You don't know Aunt Agnes, and at least it is not my fault, Margaret,' +said Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'For that matter, I know a lot more than you think,' retorted Meg. +'But times have changed—ay, and much changed, too. I try to keep my +soul calm, but I am not a fool. You don't care for me as you did, +Hollyhock, and I imperilling my immortal soul all for you. You <I>are</I> a +queer girl, Hollyhock Lennox, to forsake one like me, and to take up +with another, and she the shabbiest-natured pupil in the school.' +</P> + +<P> +'Indeed, indeed you mistake, Margaret,' said Hollyhock. 'I did +wrong—we both did wrong that night.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, <I>you</I> did wrong, did you? You are prepared to confess, I take it?' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh Meg, to confess would be to ruin all. Have I not won her round? +Is she not better than she was?' +</P> + +<P> +'For my part,' said Meg, 'I see no change, except that she sits at your +feet and smothers you with kisses; but I have my own soul to think of, +and if you don't confess, Hollyhock Lennox, I have at least my duty to +perform.' +</P> + +<P> +'Please, please be careful, Meg. You don't know what awful mischief +you 'll do.' +</P> + +<P> +'I have to think of my soul,' replied Meg; 'but go your ways and enjoy +yourself. No, thank you, I don't want to go to your house this day +week. Perhaps I also can come round wee Leuchy. There's no saying +what you 'll see and what you 'll hear on Monday morning!' +</P> + +<P> +'Meg, you make me so wretched. Are you really going to tell her our +silly little trick?' +</P> + +<P> +'I make no promises; only I may as well say to you, Hollyhock, that my +mind is made up.' +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock felt almost sick with terror. She flew to Jasmine and got +her to talk to Margaret Drummond, but Margaret had the obstinacy of a +very jealous nature. She was obstinate now to the last degree, and the +departure of the Flower Girls gave her a clear field. +</P> + +<P> +Leucha was extremely lonely without Hollyhock. In her presence she was +cheerful and bright, but without her she was lonely. Tears stood in +her eyes as she bade Hollyhock good-bye, and Hollyhock clasped her to +her heart, feeling as she did so that all was lost, that all efforts +were in vain, that she herself would be publicly disgraced, and that +Leucha would naturally never speak to her again. These things might +come to pass at once. As it was, they did come to pass a little later +on, but on this special Saturday there was a slight reprieve both for +Leucha and for Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs Drummond drove over from Edinburgh in a luxurious motor-car and +took her daughter away, promising to send her back to the school on the +following Monday morning. +</P> + +<P> +Margaret devotedly loved her mother, and was not long in her presence +before the entire story of the ghost and her part therein was revealed. +Mrs Drummond was a most severe Calvinist, a puritan of the narrowest +type. She was shocked beyond measure with her daughter's narrative. +She sat down at once and read her a long chapter out of the Holy Book +on all liars and their awful fate. +</P> + +<P> +Margaret shivered as she listened to her mother's words. +</P> + +<P> +'My dear,' said Mrs Drummond, 'if you do not confess and get that +wicked Hollyhock—what a name!—into the trouble she deserves, you have +your share with those of whom I'm reading. I'll come with you on +Monday morning, and you 'll stand up in front of the entire school and +tell what you and Hollyhock did. Mrs Macintyre will lose her school if +such a thing is allowed.' +</P> + +<P> +'But, oh, mother, I do love Hollyhock. Is there no other way out?' +</P> + +<P> +'Having sinned,' said Mrs Drummond, 'you must repent. Having done the +wicked thing, you must tell of it. Mrs Macintyre will be very shocked, +but I think nothing of that. It is my lassie I have to think of. It +was Providence sent me to fetch you home to-day! There's no other way +out. Confession—full confession—is the only course. You must stand +up and do your part, and that wicked girl will as likely as not be +expelled.' +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap21"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXI. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THERE IS NO WAY OUT. +</H4> + +<P> +Hollyhock did not exactly know how she felt during that visit to the +dearly beloved old Garden. Besides the unwelcome presence of Aunt +Agnes, there was a fear over her which was wholly and completely moral, +for Hollyhock had, as may well be remarked, no physical fear +whatsoever. She was the sort of girl, however, to keep even moral +fears to herself, and she returned to the Palace of the Kings on Monday +morning, hoping for the best. So far everything seemed to be all right. +</P> + +<P> +Leucha rushed to her friend, clasped her and kissed her, said how +deeply she had missed her, and how she had longed beyond words during +the latter half of Saturday and on Sunday for Hollyhock's return. +</P> + +<P> +Meg, then, had been better than Hollyhock expected. When all was said +and done, Meg was good and true. Hollyhock made up her mind to be +specially good to Meg in future, to compensate her for her late +neglect—in short, to soothe her ruffled feelings and to feel for her +that love and admiration which the Scots girl had given to her in the +past. But where was Meg? +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock's quick eyes looked round the room, looked round the spacious +hall, looked round the vast breakfast parlour. There was no sign of +Meg anywhere. This puzzled her a little, but did not render her +uneasy; and as no other girl in the school said a word about Meg +Drummond—she was not a favourite by any means, and never would +be—Hollyhock came to the conclusion that the poor thing must be ill, +and must have taken to her bed, in which case she would inquire for her +tenderly when the right time came, and thank her affectionately for her +loving forbearance. +</P> + +<P> +But, alack and alas! just as breakfast was coming to an end, there was +a whir and a hoot, and a motor-car was heard rushing up the spacious +avenue and stopping before the great front-door. +</P> + +<P> +A girl who was seated next to Hollyhock said, 'That must be Meg +Drummond coming back. About an hour after you left us, Hollyhock, her +mother came and fetched her. Why, there she is, to be sure, and her +mother along with her. Whatever can be wrong?' +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock felt a fearful sinking at her heart. She longed to rush +Leucha, poor little Leucha, out of the school, to hide her, to screen +her from what was certain to follow. But she was too stunned by these +unexpected events to say a word or take any action. +</P> + +<P> +'You are a little white, Hollyhock,' said Leucha, who was seated at her +side. 'Don't you feel well?' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, Leucha darling, don't ask me. It's all up with me,' groaned +Hollyhock. 'Oh Leucha, say once again that you love me!' +</P> + +<P> +'Love you, Holly? I love no one in the world as I love you!' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, you have said it for the last time,' thought poor Hollyhock to +herself. Her little victory, her little triumph, was at an end, for +Hollyhock knew Leucha far too well to believe for an instant that she +would forgive a horrible hoax played upon her. +</P> + +<P> +If Meg Drummond was a cold, severe-looking girl, she was not nearly so +severe or so cold as her mother. Mrs Drummond, accompanied by her +daughter, entered the great hall, where prayers were to be said, with a +face of icy marble. Proud indeed was she in spirit; determined was she +in action. She would save her precious daughter's soul alive, come +what might. No other girl was of any importance to Mrs Drummond. Meg +was her all, and she was wrecked—yes, wrecked—on the ghastly rock of +sin. The Devil would claim Meg, unless she, her mother, came to the +rescue. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs Macintyre was somewhat surprised at the arrival of Mrs Drummond, a +woman to whom she did not at all take. For that matter, she had never +been enamoured of Meg herself, considering her beneath the other girls +in the school; but when Mrs Drummond whispered to her, 'I have come on +a matter of awful importance, and I'll thank you to conduct the Lord's +Prayer and the hymns and the other religious exercises, and <I>then</I> you +'ll know why I have come.' +</P> + +<P> +This was such a very remarkable speech that Mrs Macintyre bowed stiffly +and offered the good lady a chair. +</P> + +<P> +Prayers were conducted as usual, the girls singing and joining in the +Lord's Prayer. Then Mrs Macintyre made a brief petition that God +Almighty might help her and her teachers and her beloved pupils to work +harmoniously through the hours of the week just beginning. +</P> + +<P> +The moment she rose from her knees, she was about to dismiss the pupils +to their different tasks, when Mrs Drummond, tall and gaunt, stood up +and waved a menacing hand. +</P> + +<P> +'One moment, girls; I have something to say to you, or, rather, my +young daughter has something to say, which is in the nature of a black +confession. It relates principally to herself and a girl in this +school called Hollyhock. She has now to go through an awful +confession, which will hurt her more than a little; but if she holds +nothing back, her immortal soul may be saved in the Great Day. But +there is <I>another</I> who has sinned far deeper than my Meg, and I leave +it to Mrs Macintyre to settle with her by expelling her from this +school. Now then, Meg, think of the Judgment Seat and tell your tale.' +</P> + +<P> +Meg, who would be precisely like her mother at her mother's age, now +stood up, flung a vindictive glance at Hollyhock, and began her story. +</P> + +<P> +'I was drawn into it. That Hollyhock had a way with her, and I was +drawn in. I consented to an awful sin. It has lain on my conscience +until I felt nearly mad. Well, Mrs Macintyre and my dear teachers and +you girls, listen and beware. You may recall a certain night when +there was great agitation in this school, because it was said that the +poor ghostie had walked. The thought of that ghostie nearly drove an +English girl out of her mind; but I am prepared to clear up the matter. +</P> + +<P> +'Now for the true story. The ghost was no ghost. It was me, my own +self, who, ruled by Hollyhock there, went into what we call the ghost's +hut, and allowed myself to be chalked and then blackened with charcoal +on the hands and face so as to look like a skeleton, and then wrapped +in a cloak of the Camerons, and my hair tied up tight, and a peaked hat +put on me over a wig which had been flung into water. I 'm told that I +looked something <I>fearful</I>; and the one who did the deed, and drew me, +an innocent girl, into this mess, was Hollyhock Lennox. A poor English +girl went almost raving mad, and no one could tell but that a real +ghost had been about. Well, <I>I'm</I> the ghost, and the wicked one who +led me astray was Hollyhock Lennox. After that she was frightened, +seeing the effect of the ghost on poor Leucha, and she got me for a +long time not to tell, and she won the heart of Leucha, coming round +her as only she knows how. But if <I>I</I> know Leucha, she won't put up +any more with what was nothing but a hoax.— Will you, Leucha; will +you?' +</P> + +<P> +'Is it true?' said Leucha, turning a ghastly-white face and looking at +Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh Leuchy,' half-sobbed Hollyhock, 'it is true, every word of it. It +was the spirit of mischief that entered into me. But, oh, Leuchy, +Leuchy, when you were so bad my whole heart went out to you, and you +'ll forgive your own Holly? For, see for yourself, I love you, +Leuchy—see it for yourself.' +</P> + +<P> +'And I <I>don't</I> love you,' said Leucha. 'You have played on me the +vilest trick I ever heard of, and I'll never believe in you again, or +speak to you again!—Please, Mrs Macintyre, this is too much; my head +reels badly, so may I go out of the room for a few minutes?' +</P> + +<P> +'I had to save my immortal soul,' said Meg, casting down her pious +eyes, and rejoicing in the mischief which she had effectually achieved. +</P> + +<P> +'My precious one, you are safe now,' said Mrs Drummond. 'I have stood +by and listened to a full confession. But what'll you do to that bad, +black-haired girl, Mrs Macintyre? To have her publicly expelled is +what <I>I 'd</I> recommend.' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, my dear lady,' replied Mrs Macintyre; 'but you do not happen to +be the mistress of the school. I shall take my own course. You can +remove your own daughter if you wish, Mrs Drummond, whose behaviour, in +my opinion, was many degrees worse than Hollyhock's.' +</P> + +<P> +'What do you mean by that?' +</P> + +<P> +'Hollyhock certainly did wrong to allow your girl to impersonate the +ghost; but afterwards, in the most noble way, she won the affections of +the must difficult girl in the school. Now I fear, I greatly tear, we +shall have much trouble with Leucha Villiers; but nothing will induce +me to expel Hollyhock.— No, my dear little girl; you did wrong, of a +certainty, but you are too much loved in this school for us to do +without you.— Now, Mrs Drummond, do you wish to remove Margaret from +the school? Because, if so, it can easily be done, and I shall send up +my maid, Magsie, to pack her clothes.' +</P> + +<P> +'It <I>might</I> be right,' said Mrs Drummond, who was considerably amazed +at Mrs Macintyre's manner of taking the whole occurrence, 'but at the +same time I have no wish to deprive my daughter of the chance of +getting the Ardshiel diamond crest locket. It would be the kind of +thing that her father would have taken pride in. I myself have no wish +for worldly pride and precious stones and such like. Nevertheless, it +would be hard to rob my child of the chance of getting the locket.' +</P> + +<P> +'As you please,' said Mrs Macintyre with great coldness. 'Only I have +one thing to insist upon.' +</P> + +<P> +'Indeed, madam! And what may that be?' +</P> + +<P> +'It is that Margaret Drummond shall have no dealings whatsoever with +Leucha Villiers. As to Hollyhock, I can manage her myself. Now +perhaps, madam, you will return to Edinburgh and allow the routine of +the school to go on under <I>my</I> guidance, I being the head-mistress, +<I>not</I> you!' +</P> + +<P> +Mrs Drummond went away in a wild fury. She certainly would have taken +Meg with her, but the pride of having her commonplace daughter educated +in the Palace of the Kings, joined to her pride in the very great +possibility—in fact, the certainty in her imagination—of Meg's +winning one of the gold and diamond lockets, made her swallow her +indignation as best she could. She kissed Meg after her icy fashion, +and said some furious words in a low tone to the young girl. +</P> + +<P> +'You managed things badly, Meg. That dark girl ought to have been +expelled.' +</P> + +<P> +'But, mother, I should have loved to see the day,' said Meg. 'I don't +seem to have got much good out of my confession after all.' +</P> + +<P> +'Your soul, child, the salvation of your soul, is gained;' and with +these last words the self-righteous woman went away. +</P> + +<P> +Certainly that was a most confusing morning at the school. Poor Mrs +Macintyre had never felt nearer despair. The trick which had been +played she regarded with due and proper abhorrence, but the way in +which it had been declared by Meg made her feel sick, and worse than +sick, at heart. She sent for Hollyhock first, and had a long talk with +her. +</P> + +<P> +'Ah, my child, my child,' she said, 'why will you let your naughty and +mischievous spirit get the better of you?' +</P> + +<P> +'I couldn't help it,' replied Hollyhock, who felt as near to tears as a +daughter of the Camerons could be; 'but you see for your own self what +Leuchy was before I played my prank, and what she has been since. Now +I'm much afraid that all is up, and she 'll never love me any +more—poor Leuchy!' +</P> + +<P> +'Hollyhock, you really have been exceedingly naughty, but your conduct +to Leucha <I>after</I> her terrible fright has been <I>splendid</I>; and although +I greatly fear, knowing Leucha's character, that you will find it +difficult to get back her love, yet there are many others in the +school, my child, who love you, and who will love you for ever.' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes; but it was Leuchy I wanted,' said Hollyhock. 'The others were so +easy to win. I could always win love; but Leuchy, she's so cold, and +now she's frozen up, like marble, she is.' +</P> + +<P> +'You must take that as your punishment, for no other punishment will I +give you, except to ask you not to play that kind of practical joke +again.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh my!' exclaimed Hollyhock, 'but the mischief is in me. I dare not +make a promise. You would not, if you had a wild heart like mine.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, Hollyhock, I shall expect, for the honour of the school, that +you will do your <I>best</I>. And one thing I must ask of you—it is this. +Meg feels herself very superior, with the superiority of the Pharisee. +Most of the girls in the school will hate her for what she said to-day; +but I want you, as a dear friend, to take her part.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, but that 'll be hard,' said Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'The divine grace can help you, my child. I 'm not one of the "unco +guid," but I believe most fully in the all-prevailing love of the great +God and His Son, our blessed Saviour. Now kiss me, and go to your +lessons as though nothing had happened.' +</P> + +<P> +'But Leuchy!' exclaimed Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'I'll manage Leucha. I greatly fear that I shall have a difficult +task, but I shall let you know to-morrow at latest what attitude she +intends to take up. A girl of broader, nobler views would, of course, +see the joke and make fun of it; but Leucha, in her way, is as narrow +as Meg is in hers.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh dear, oh dear!' sighed Hollyhock. 'Well, at all events, I 'll get +rid of her kisses. Oh, they were <I>so</I> trying!' +</P> + +<P> +'I saw that you hated them, my child.' +</P> + +<P> +'Did you notice that, Mrs Macintyre? How wonderful you are!' +</P> + +<P> +'No, my dear baby. But I, who equally hate being kissed, saw what you +were enduring in a noble cause. It <I>may</I> come right in the end, +Hollyhock. We must hope for the best.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, but you are a darling!' said Hollyhock, flinging her arms round +the head-mistress's neck. 'Oh, but I love you!' +</P> + +<P> +'And for my sake you 'll abstain from tricks in the school?' +</P> + +<P> +'I 'll not promise; but, at the same time, I 'll do my level best.' +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock, notwithstanding Mrs Macintyre's great kindness, spent a +really wretched day. She kept her word, however, as she had promised, +with regard to Meg, and during morning recess went to her side, and +tried with all that wonderful charm she possessed to be kind to her. +She did not allude to Meg's confession, but spoke to her with all her +old affection. Meg stared at the girl whom she now considered her +enemy in haughty surprise, refused to reply to any of Hollyhock's +endearments, and walked away with her head in the air. +</P> + +<P> +'You dare,' she exclaimed at last, 'when you know too well that you +ought to be expelled!' +</P> + +<P> +Meg then turned her back on Hollyhock, but was followed in her +self-imposed exile by the laughter and jeers of most of the girls in +the school, who flocked eagerly round their favourite, telling her that +they at least would ever and always be her dearest friends. Many of +the said girls assured poor Hollyhock that they were glad that the +nasty <I>kissing</I> English girl was no longer to divide them from their +lively favourite. But Hollyhock's most loving heart was really full of +Leucha. Her nature could not by any possibility really suit Leucha's, +but Holly had taken her up, and it would be very hard now for her to +withdraw her love. Besides, she had done wrong—very wrong—and Leuchy +had a right to be angry. +</P> + +<P> +During the whole of that miserable day Leucha absented herself from the +school, and all Mrs Macintyre's words proved so far in vain. She had +no good news to give Hollyhock; therefore she told her nothing. But +toward evening she had a very grave conversation with Jasmine, who made +a proposal of her own. If this idea fell through, Mrs Macintyre felt +that the mean nature of Meg, joined to the yet meaner nature of Leucha +herself, must for the present at least win the day. She had some hope +in this plan, but meanwhile her warm heart was full of sorrow for her +bonnie Hollyhock. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap22"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXII. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE END OF LOVE. +</H4> + +<P> +The plan was carried into effect. Mr Lennox was consulted, and being +the best and most amiable of men, after talking for a short time to his +young daughter Jasmine, he went over and had a consultation with Mrs +Macintyre. Mrs Macintyre agreed most eagerly to Jasmine's suggestion, +and accordingly, two days after Meg had 'saved her immortal soul,' +Leucha and Jasmine were excused lessons—Leucha on the plea of +ill-health, Jasmine because she wished to help her darling Hollyhock's +friend. +</P> + +<P> +The two girls were excused lessons; as for preparation for the prize +competition, that they might go on with or not, as they wished. +Jasmine had no love for gems, but she would like to gain one of the +lockets containing the great crest of her mother's people, her own +ancestors. But if she lost it, she would be the last girl to fret. +She had as little ambition in her as had Hollyhock herself. Leucha, on +the other hand, was keenly anxious to get the famous crest locket, and +when Jasmine assured her that she would have ample opportunities of +studying the ways of wee Jean, she condescended to accompany Jasmine to +The Garden. +</P> + +<P> +She found The Garden, however, very dull. She found the kitchen cat, +whenever she came across her, intolerable; she scared wee Jean away +from her, saying, 'Get away, you ugly beast!' and took not the +slightest pains to make herself agreeable. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock, with tears very, very near her black eyes, had implored of +Jasper to come to her assistance and tell home truths in his plain +Scots way to the English girl. This Jasper promptly promised to do, +and his mother gave him leave to go over from the Annex to The Garden, +in order to help Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +Jasmine, with all her strength of character, was too gentle for the +task she had undertaken; but there was no gentleness about fierce young +Jasper. He naturally thought that Holly, the dear that she was, had +gone too far; but he could not stand a common-place girl like Leuchy +making such a row. +</P> + +<P> +Now the facts were simply these. Leucha hated, with a violent, +passionate, wicked hate, all the terrible past; but she still +loved—loved as she could not believe possible—that black-eyed lass +Hollyhock. Hollyhock had played a horrid trick on her; nevertheless +Leucha loved her, and mourned for her, and was perfectly wretched at +The Garden without her. +</P> + +<P> +Oh no, she would never be <I>friends</I> with her again—<I>never</I>! Such a +thing was impossible; but nevertheless she loved—she loved Hollyhock, +with a sort of craving which caused her to long to see the bright glint +in her eyes and the bonnie smile round her lips. As for Jasmine, she +was less than nothing in Leucha's eyes. Hollyhock, although she would +not say it for the world, was all in all to the miserable, proud, silly +girl. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock's heart was also aching for Leucha, and her anxiety was great +with regard to what was taking place at The Garden. Would Jasmine and +Jasper between them have any effect on Leuchy? Hollyhock felt for the +first time in her life feverish, miserable, and anxious. She could not +sleep well at nights; her nights were haunted by dreams of Leucha and +the wicked things she herself had done as a mere frolic. But there was +no news from The Garden, and she had to bear her restless suffering as +best she could. Gladly now would she have submitted to Leuchy's +kisses, if Leuchy would come back to her friend. +</P> + +<P> +Meg walked with pious mien about the grounds of Ardshiel; her +conscience was at rest. She won the affections of a certain number of +the new Scots girls, and tried her best to set them against Hollyhock; +but there was a magical influence about Hollyhock which prevented any +girl being set against her; and although the girls <I>did</I> say that Meg +had a sturdy conscience, and that she must be very happy to have made +her confession, yet as the evening hour drew on they returned, as +though spell-bound, to Hollyhock's side to listen with fascinated eyes +and half-open mouths to her tales of bogies and ghosties. +</P> + +<P> +Poor Hollyhock was feeling so restless and despairing that she threw +extra venom into her narratives, making the ghosts worse than any +ghosts that were ever heard of before, and the bogies and witches more +subtle and more vicious. Meg did not dare to come near, but she looked +with contempt at her friends who were so easily drawn to Hollyhock's +side. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile, at The Garden the days and hours were passing. Mr Lennox +was entirely absorbed with his work, and saw little or nothing of his +children. What little he did see of Leucha he disliked, and he thought +his dear Hollyhock far too kind to her. On the following Sunday he +would speak to Hollyhock, and tell her not to play those silly tricks +again. Otherwise he had no time to consider the matter. +</P> + +<P> +But, on a certain day—Thursday, to be accurate—Jasper, having been +prepared beforehand by Jasmine, had a talk alone with Leucha. He was +really sick of Leucha by this time, and meant to use plain words. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, you are a poor thing,' he began. +</P> + +<P> +'What do you mean?' said Leucha, turning white in her anger. +</P> + +<P> +'Why, here you are in one of the grandest and best houses in the +country, petted and fussed over, and just because my cousin Hollyhock +chose to play a prank on you. My word! she might play twenty pranks on +me and I 'd love her all the more.' +</P> + +<P> +'You're a boy; you are different! She nearly killed me, if that's what +you call love!' +</P> + +<P> +'Nearly killed you, indeed! Not a bit of it! I 'm thinking it would +take a lot to finish you off. Many and many a trick would have to be +played before you 'd expire.' +</P> + +<P> +'You are talking in a very rude way,' said Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'I 'm not. I know what I 'm about!' +</P> + +<P> +'Then you surely do not dare to tell me to my face that your cousin did +right in frightening me so terribly?' +</P> + +<P> +'I 'm not saying anything so silly. I know too well the kind you are +made of, Leuchy Villiers. Hollyhock did wrong, and Meg did, to my +thinking, a sight worse.' +</P> + +<P> +'Meg was really noble,' said Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'If <I>that's</I> your idea of nobleness, keep it and treasure it all your +life.' +</P> + +<P> +'Meg had to save her soul,' said Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, my word!' cried Jasper; 'and is our darling Hollyhock's soul of no +account?' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, she thinks nothing of the freak which nearly killed me.' +</P> + +<P> +'Nothing of it? Little you know! Do you forget she sat up with you +resting against her breast the whole of the first night, and had a +camp-bed put into your room by doctor's orders and your own wish, and +sang you to sleep with that voice of hers that would melt the heart of +a stone, no less? If she loved you? But it has not melted your heart. +If she was what you think her to be, would she have troubled herself as +she did about you? Would she give up her sport and her fun and her +joy, her pleasures, for one like you?' +</P> + +<P> +'I 'm the daughter of the Earl of Crossways,' said Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'Well,' answered Jasper, 'I can't say much for his daughter. I tell +you frankly and truly, Leucha, that if you were a brave lass and +well-bred, you 'd take a joke as a joke, and think no more about it; +but, being what you are, I have little hope of you. It's the best +thing that could have happened to Hollyhock to have got rid of one like +you. You are not fit to hold a candle to her. I have no liking for +you, and now I'm going back to the Annex. I cannot stand the sight of +you, with your sulks and your obstinacy. Oh! the bonnie lass, that you +think so cruel. I can only say that I hope she will get a better +friend than <I>you</I>, Leucha Villiers.' +</P> + +<P> +After this speech, Leucha was found by Jasmine in a flood of tears. +Jasper had returned to the Annex, his sole remark to his mother being +that he was wasting his precious time at The Garden over the conversion +of a hopeless girl. +</P> + +<P> +Late that evening Leucha went into Jasmine's bedroom. 'I 'm very +unhappy here and everywhere,' she said; 'but this place is worse even +than the school. At school I shall doubtless find many friends to +welcome me, so I 'm returning to the Palace of the Kings to-morrow.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, I 'm glad, for my part,' said Jasmine; 'and I hope you have made +up your mind to be nice to my sister.' +</P> + +<P> +'If that is your hope, you 're mistaken,' said Leucha. 'I wouldn't +touch her with a pair of tongs. Nasty, sinful girl, to play such a +trick on an innocent maid!' +</P> + +<P> +'Well,' said Jasmine, 'I shall be very glad to get back to school early +to-morrow.' +</P> + +<P> +'And I to my friends,' said Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'I have remarked,' said Jasmine, 'that you haven't taken much trouble +in studying the habits of the kitchen cat. I know that you have made +puss your subject for the grand essay, for Hollyhock thought it best to +tell me, in order that you might see the poor beastie. But you have +been so unkind to her, Leucha, that she'd fly now any distance at your +approach.' +</P> + +<P> +'And let her; let her,' said the angry Leucha. 'I don't want her, you +may be sure of that. And as to my essay, of course I must stick to it; +but I may as well tell you, Jasmine, that it will be from beginning to +end on the <I>vices</I> of the kitchen cat, encouraged by her deceitful and +silly mistress, Hollyhock!' +</P> + +<P> +'Have your way,' said Jasmine; 'but I don't think you'll be getting the +Duke's locket. The Duke is our kinsman and he knows us lassies, and +Hollyhock is a <I>prime</I> favourite with him, so speaking against one like +her will not please his Grace. But now let me go to bed; I 'm sleepy +and worn-out.' +</P> + +<P> +The next day the girls unexpectedly arrived at the school. Leucha was +certain that she would have the same warm welcome that she had received +when she came downstairs after her illness caused by Hollyhock's +mischievous prank, but she did not remember that she was now Holly's +enemy. She did not even recall the fact that Meg Drummond was +forbidden to have dealings with her. In short, the school received her +with extreme coldness. The only one whose eyes lit up for a moment +with pleasure was that beloved one called Hollyhock; but she soon +turned her attention to a group of girls surrounding her, and as Leucha +would not give her even the faintest ghost of a smile, she tossed her +proud little black head and absorbed herself with others, who were but +too eager to talk to her. +</P> + +<P> +Leucha, in fact, found herself in her old position in the school, and +the only one who timidly made advances towards her was Daisy Watson. +</P> + +<P> +'I don't want you; go away,' said the angry Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'I 'm going,' said Daisy. 'I have plenty of friends in the school now +myself, for Hollyhock has taken me up.' +</P> + +<P> +'What!' cried Leucha. 'How dare she?' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, she chooses to. I 'm to act in a charade to-night which she has +composed, and which will be rare fun. She's so sweet and so forgiving, +Leucha, that I think she 'd love you as much as ever, if only you +weren't so desperately jealous.' +</P> + +<P> +'I'm not jealous. I'm a terribly wronged girl. There was a trick +played on me which might have cost me my life. I'll have to tell my +poor mother that this is a very wicked school.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, please yourself,' said Daisy. 'I must be off. It's rather fun, +the part I have to play. I 'm to be called the <I>kitchen cat</I>!' +</P> + +<P> +'You—you—how dare you?' +</P> + +<P> +'We are all acting as different animals. There are twelve of us who +are taking parts in the charade, and dear Hollyhock is to be the ghost. +She 'll stalk in, in her ghostly garments, and create a great sensation +amongst the animals. We would not have done it if we had known that +you were coming back, Leuchy, being but too well aware of your terrible +nervousness about ghosts, even when the ghosts are only make-believe.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, what next?' cried Leucha. 'I never heard of anything so wicked. +I must speak at once to Mrs Macintyre, and have the horrid thing +stopped.' +</P> + +<P> +'All right. But I do not think your words will have any effect now,' +said Daisy. 'The matter is arranged, and cannot be altered. Mrs +Macintyre thinks the whole thing the greatest fun in the world. I can +tell you that I am enjoying myself vastly, although I was so miserable +at first when you and I sat all alone; but now I am having a first-rate +time. I have told you about the charade, Leucha, because I thought it +only right to warn you. If you prefer it, you need not be a spectator.' +</P> + +<P> +'What next?' repeated Leucha. 'I am to lose the fun of seeing +Hollyhock disgrace herself. I shall certainly do nothing of the kind. +I will be present, and perhaps take her down a peg. But leave me now, +Daisy; only let me inform you that you are a nasty, mean little brat.' +</P> + +<P> +'Thanks,' said Daisy; 'but I am enjoying myself mightily all the same.' +</P> + +<P> +Daisy scampered away all too willingly; and Hollyhock, advised by her +sister, took no notice of Leucha, although her heart ached very badly +for her. But she felt that the reconciliation must, at any cost, now +come from Leucha's side; otherwise there would be no hope of peace or +rest in the school. The fact was this, that Hollyhock was feeling very +wild and restless just now. She had quite got over her fit of +repentance, and was full to the brim of fresh pranks. +</P> + +<P> +'There's no saying what sin I 'll commit,' she said to herself, 'for +the de'il 's at work in me. With my rebellious nature, I cannot help +myself. I did wrong, and I owned it. I helped her and loved her; but +I could not bear her kisses. It may be that Providence has parted us, +so that I really need not be tried too far. Oh, but she is an ugly, +uninteresting lass, poor Leuchy! And yet once I loved her; and I 'd +love her again, and make her happy, if she 'd do with only two kisses a +day—<I>not</I> otherwise; no, not otherwise. They're altogether too +<I>cloying</I> for my taste!' +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap23"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXIII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE GREAT CHARADE. +</H4> + +<P> +Mrs Macintyre was more vexed, more hurt, more annoyed than she could +possibly express. She had been willing—indeed, under the +circumstances, only too glad—to send sulky Leucha to The Garden; but +Leucha's unexpected return on the evening when the animal charade was +to be acted put her out considerably. She saw at a glance that Leucha +was unrepentant; that whereas Hollyhock was more than ready to forgive, +Leucha belonged to the unforgiving of the earth. Being herself a fine, +brave woman, Mrs Macintyre had little or no sympathy for so small and +mean a nature. +</P> + +<P> +Of course, she regretted Hollyhock's practical joke; but then Hollyhock +had so abundantly made up for it by her subsequent conduct, and was +even now the soul of love and pity for the desolate, deserted, +obstinate girl. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs Macintyre felt that she could not altogether side with Hollyhock, +but she had no intention of interfering with the charade because +Leucha, in her weak obstinacy, chose to return to the school on that +special day. She determined, however, to speak to the girl, and to +tell her very plainly what she thought about her and her conduct. +</P> + +<P> +Leucha was in her pretty bedroom, where a bright fire was blazing, for +the weather was now intensely cold. She was alone, quite alone, all +the other girls in the school, both the actors and those who were to +look on, being far to busy to attend to her. She took up a book +languidly and pretended to read. She had already read the said book. +It was one of Sir Walter Scott's great novels. But Leucha hated Sir +Walter Scott; she hated his dialect, his long descriptions; she was not +interested even in this marvellous work of his, <I>Ivanhoe</I>, and lay back +in her easy-chair with her eyes half shut and her mind halt asleep. +There came a sharp, short knock at her door. It roused Leucha to say, +'Who's there?' +</P> + +<P> +'It's me, Magsie, please, miss,' replied a voice. +</P> + +<P> +Leucha muttered something which Magsie took for 'Come in.' She entered +the luxurious chamber. +</P> + +<P> +'You are called, Lady Leucha, to the mistress on business immediate and +most important. You are to go to her at once. My certie! but you are +comfortable here.' +</P> + +<P> +'Are you speaking of Mrs Macintyre?' inquired Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'I am—the head-mistress of the school herself.' +</P> + +<P> +'Say I will come, and leave my room at once yourself,' said Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'You had best no keep <I>her</I> waitin' long, I 'm thinkin'. It's no her +fashion to be kept waitin' when she gives forth her royal commands. In +the Palace of the Kings she 's like a royal lady, and you dare not keep +her waitin'.' +</P> + +<P> +Magsie had now a most violent hatred for Leucha, having helped +Hollyhock to nurse her through her illness, and being far more +concerned for her own young lady than for that miserable thing, who had +not the courage of a mouse. +</P> + +<P> +'You had best be quick,' said Magsie now; and she went out of the room +noisily, slamming the door with some violence after her. 'I don't +think I ever saw so wicked a girl,' thought Magsie to herself. +</P> + +<P> +The wicked girl in question thought, however, that prudence was the +better part of valour, and went downstairs without delay to Mrs +Macintyre's beautiful private sitting-room. She looked cross; she +looked sulky; she looked, in short, all that a poor jealous nature +could look, and there was not a trace of repentance about her. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs Macintyre heaved an inward sigh. Outwardly her manner was +exceedingly cold and at the same time determined. +</P> + +<P> +'I have sent for you, Leucha Villiers,' she said, 'to ask you if you +now intend to restore peace and harmony to the school.' +</P> + +<P> +'What do you mean, Mrs Macintyre?' said Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'My child, you know quite well what I mean. Your dear and noble young +friend'—— +</P> + +<P> +'I don't know of any such,' interrupted Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'Then you have a lamentably short memory, Leucha,' said Mrs Macintyre, +'or it could not have passed from your mind—the weary nights and long +days when that brave young girl devoted herself to you.' +</P> + +<P> +'You mean that naughty Hollyhock, of course—the one who played on me +that wicked, wicked joke. A nice school this is, indeed.' +</P> + +<P> +'Leucha, I forbid you to speak in that tone to your head-mistress. I +acknowledge that Hollyhock did wrong; but, oh, how humbly, how +thoroughly, she has repented! I fully admit that she had no right to +dress up Meg Drummond as a ghost and to frighten such a nervous, silly +girl as you are; but afterwards, when she saw the effect, who could +have been more noble than Hollyhock; who could have nursed you with +more splendid care, and—and <I>loved</I> you, Leucha—you, who are <I>not</I> +popular in the school?' +</P> + +<P> +'I don't care! I won't stay here long,' muttered Leucha. 'If you +think I am going to eat humble pie to that Hollyhock, you are mistaken, +Mrs Macintyre.' +</P> + +<P> +Mrs Macintyre was silent for a moment; then she spoke. +</P> + +<P> +'I am sorry. A nobler nature would have taken the thing as a joke; but +you, alas! are the reverse of noble. You have a small nature, Leucha, +and you must struggle against it with all your might if you are to do +any good in life.' +</P> + +<P> +'I am not accustomed to being spoken to in that strain,' said Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'Perhaps not; it would have been good for you if you had been. Oh, my +child, if I could but move your hard heart and show you the blessed +spirit of Love pleading for you, and the Holy Spirit full to the brim +with perfect forgiveness, stretched out even to <I>you</I>.' +</P> + +<P> +'You talk to me,' said Leucha, 'exactly as if <I>I</I> were the sinner. +It's Hollyhock, mean little scamp, who is the sinner, and yet you call +her brave and noble.' +</P> + +<P> +'Hollyhock has most fully repented, and therefore is noble. I intend +always to love her as she deserves to be loved.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, I don't care,' said Leucha. 'She is nothing to me in the +future. I 'll have nothing to do with her—nothing at all.' +</P> + +<P> +Again Mrs Macintyre was silent. +</P> + +<P> +After another long pause she said, 'Then you will not forgive the sweet +girl, who nursed you back to life?' +</P> + +<P> +'Never, never,' answered Leucha. 'Why should I be tortured in this +way?' +</P> + +<P> +'My dear, I must torture you for your good. You will not grant +Hollyhock forgiveness?' +</P> + +<P> +'I said before that I would <I>never</I> do so.' +</P> + +<P> +'Very well. Hollyhock is the last girl in the world who needs pleading +for; but suppose, Leucha—I don't say for a moment I shall succeed—but +<I>suppose</I> I were to go to Hollyhock, who feels that she has done her +part and has shown her sorrow for her little childish freak in every +possible way, would you, my child, accept her words of contrition, and +when I brought her to meet you, receive her as one so noble ought to be +met?' +</P> + +<P> +'No; I would turn from her with scorn. I would tell the humbug what I +think of her.' +</P> + +<P> +'Then, Leucha, I have nothing further to say. I doubt if I <I>could</I> get +Hollyhock to humble herself to this degree; but certainly, after your +last words, I shall not try. Now, you have returned to the school on +an awkward day, when a charade introducing various animals is to be +acted in the great hall. Twelve girls will play different animals, and +the crisis and crux of the whole thing will be the appearance of "poor +ghostie," which part Hollyhock will undertake herself. I warn you +beforehand that, as you are so <I>very</I> timid in the presence of false +ghosts—for, of course, I personally do not believe in real ghosts—it +would be wise for you to remain in your bedroom, and thus keep out of +the way. I believe Hollyhock is going to do the ghost very well. I +have no desire to interfere with the games of the school. The games +teacher, Miss Kent, manages these, and your unexpected and, I must add, +<I>unwished-for</I> return cannot stop to-night's programme. You had better +promise me, therefore, to go to your room, where one of the servants +will bring you up some supper. I really advise you for your own good, +my child, for I understand that ghost will look very awful to-night, +and you, being so terribly nervous, may not be able to bear the sight.' +</P> + +<P> +Don't fear for me, Mrs Macintyre,' said Leucha. 'I 'm not quite such a +fool as you think me, and I certainly will sit in the hall with the +other girls, and, if possible, put Holly to shame.' +</P> + +<P> +'That I strictly forbid,' said Mrs Macintyre. 'A game is a game; a +charade is a charade. While the acting proceeds no looker-on must +interfere except under my intense displeasure. In fact, my dear +Leucha, after what I have said, I shall write to your mother asking her +to remove you from the school, unless you promise not to make any fuss +or show any fear to-night. Go back to your room now.' +</P> + +<P> +'And you really tell me, Mrs Macintyre, that the Earl of Crossways' +daughter will be dismissed from the school?' +</P> + +<P> +'There will be no difficulty about that,' replied Mrs Macintyre. 'I +have six fresh girls anxious to be admitted. You are not popular; your +character does not suit us. The fact of your being Earl Crossways' +daughter has no effect in a school which is the gift of the Duke of +Ardshiel; so don't fancy it. Act sensibly, as you cannot bring +yourself to forgive, and stay in your bedroom. I am not talking +nonsense when I predict that the nerves of the strongest will be tested +to-night.' +</P> + +<P> +'I refuse. You can't turn me out,' said Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'Very well,' said Mrs Macintyre. 'I have put the case fully before +you, and can do no more.' +</P> + +<P> +Leucha went back to her bedroom, where she really felt very troubled +and, as a matter of fact, terribly frightened. If Meg Drummond, acting +as the ghost, had nearly sent her into the other world, what effect +could not Hollyhock produce? And Hollyhock meant to produce an effect +unknown before in the great school. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock was roused at last. Her forgiving nature had reached its +limit. She felt naughty and wilful, and with a spice, as she expressed +it, o' the de'il stirring in her breast. She was told by one of the +girls that Mrs Macintyre's intercession with Leucha had proved all in +vain, and she determined, therefore, to make poor ghostie more terrible +in appearance than he had ever been before. She rejoiced, in fact, in +her naughty little mind at the thought of Leucha insisting on being one +of the spectators, and resolved on no account whatsoever to spare her. +</P> + +<P> +The charade was to take place immediately after light supper. The +great hall was arranged for the occasion. A stage was erected at the +farther end, in the darkest and most shadowy spot. Across the stage a +great curtain was drawn, and footlights had been secured to throw up +the antics of the different animals the twelve girls were to act. One +was the kitchen cat. Daisy was to be dressed exactly to fit the part +by Miss Kent's and Hollyhock's clever contrivance. The kitchen cat +must have a poor thin body, all dressed in shabby fur of a nondescript +sort. She was to wear over her head the mask of a real cat. A long +scraggy tail was stuck on behind, which by an ingenious device could +jerk up and down and from side to side. +</P> + +<P> +Daisy Watson rejoiced in her part, and had learned the miauw, the mew, +the hiss, the dash forward, the howl of rage, and the purr to +perfection. She had stalked across the stage again and again that day +as kitchen cat, each time evoking shrieks of laughter. By her side +walked a timorous dog, who looked at the kitchen cat with awe. The dog +was purposely made to imitate Leucha, and whenever this lean and ugly +brute appeared the kitchen cat said, 'Hiss-phitz-witz!' whereupon the +lean animal retired in mortal terror, his mongrel tail tucked under his +mongrel legs. +</P> + +<P> +The resemblance to Leucha was really so marvellous as to be laughable, +and all the girls had declared that they would not have allowed this +beastie to appear if Leucha had been expected to be in the school. But +Leucha had come back unexpectedly, and her conduct to Hollyhock had so +roused the ire of that generally good-natured girl that she made up her +mind that no change should now take place in the programme. +</P> + +<P> +Besides the ordinary cat and dog, there was one ferocious-looking beast +managed with great skill, a lion. A very tall girl in the school took +this part. The lion's mane was magnificent, his growls such as to +terrify any one. These were produced in reality by a little toy +instrument concealed in the mouth. He growled and stalked about, and +looked so like the real thing that more girls than Leucha shrank back +in alarm as he approached the frail barrier which separated the actors +from the spectators. +</P> + +<P> +Who <I>was</I> this enormous beast? Could it possibly be a <I>real lion</I>? +</P> + +<P> +Then there were the wild panther, the fierce tiger, a pony, an ox, a +sheep, a goat, a pig, a long, wriggling thing to represent a snake, and +finally a most enormous cock-a-doodle-doo, who seemed to fear none of +the awful forest beasts and reptiles, but sang out his lusty crow right +heartily with all the goodwill in the world. +</P> + +<P> +But the three characters who excited most mirth or fear amongst the +spell-bound spectators were, first and foremost, the kitchen cat; +second, the timorous mongrel dog; and third, the lion with his mighty +mane and terrible roar. The mongrel dog gave faint yelps and howls of +anguish whenever he was approached by the lion or the kitchen cat. The +lion made a valiant attempt, growling savagely as he did so, to +demolish the cat; but the agile cat leaped on his back, stuck her +claws, which were really crooked pins, into his hide, and sent the king +of beasts howling to a distant part of the stage. She then proceeded +to torment the mongrel dog, and to draw out, as she well knew how, +Leucha's peculiarities in the dog. +</P> + +<P> +Leucha sat in the audience, rather far back, nearly stunned with +horror. Oh, the cruelty of the whole thing! Of course she recognised +Daisy; of course she recognised the caricature of herself. Oh! it was +a wicked, wicked thing to do, and she had no sympathy, and no friend +anywhere. She sat, it is true, amongst the girls, but she was not one +of them. They were absolutely yelling with laughter over the pranks of +the cat and the terror of the dog. They had never seen so fine a piece +of acting in their lives before. +</P> + +<P> +One girl was heard to say distinctly to another, 'Why, if that wee +doggie is not Leucha to the life, I 'm very much mistaken;' and Leucha +heard the words and knew that the mongrel dog was meant for her, and +yet she dared not do anything. She clung to her seat in abject misery. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly the lights on the stage were lowered. They were made +strangely, weirdly dim; a kind of blue light pervaded the scene; the +different animals crouched together; and ghostie, very tall, very +skeleton-like, very fearsome, with his jet-black eyes, walked calmly +on. Oh, but he was a gruesome thing to see! There was a look of +horror on his face, and when he spoke, his words were awful. +</P> + +<P> +'I have come from the bottom of the cold lake. Dry my wet locks. +Which of you all will dry my locks? The poor beasties cannot. I must +jump over the enclosure and walk among the lassies and see which of +them will dry my dripping locks!' +</P> + +<P> +The blue light now pervaded all parts of the room, and the ghost went +straight up to Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'You are brave; do this favour for poor ghostie. See how my black eyes +glitter into yours! Will not one of you come forward and dry my +sleekit locks? I thought the bravest lass in the school would do it, +so I came straight to wee Leuchy; but she has turned her head aside. +What ails the lassie? What can be coming over her, and she so brave +and so noble?' +</P> + +<P> +The intense sarcasm in these words caused the entire school to shriek +with laughter, in the midst of which Leucha flew to her room, vowing +that even the Duke's locket and crest would not keep her another day in +this fearful school. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap24"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXIV. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE WARM HEART ROUSED AT LAST. +</H4> + +<P> +Now the forgiving nature of Hollyhock Lennox has been often mentioned; +but just now she felt very nearly as angry with Leucha as Leucha was +with her. It was a strange sort of anger, an anger mingled with love, +for had Leucha said the slightest word, that warm, warm heart of the +Scots girl would have been hers once again. +</P> + +<P> +But Leucha would not say the word, although, strange as it may seem, +she also, down deep in her heart, was longing for Hollyhock, longing as +she had never longed for a human being before. She had been brought up +in a stiff, cold home, by a stiff, cold mother, and it was hard for her +to go against her nature. The girls of Ardshiel were altogether on the +side of Hollyhock, and Leucha was more lonely than ever. Her angry +boast that she would write to her mother and ask to be taken from the +school she had certainly not courage enough to carry out. Lady +Crossways would have been furious, and would have come quickly to +Ardshiel to punish her rebellious child, and as likely as not to fall +under Hollyhock's charm. +</P> + +<P> +Leucha had, therefore, to remain at the school, and as she had now +literally no friends (for even the girl who had played the kitchen cat +in the charade had completely deserted her, and her cousins, the +Frasers, had given her up long ago), she was forced to remain in +terrible isolation. +</P> + +<P> +Poor Mrs Macintyre was most unhappy about the girl; and as for +Hollyhock, she was downright wretched, but also, as she herself +described it, very wicked-like and full of a big slice o' the de'il. +The intense unhappiness of her mind caused her to be most freakish in +her behaviour, to tell impossible ghost-stories, and as she could not +sleep at nights and was really not at all well, to spend her time in +planning fresh plots for the annoyance of Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock, with all her loving nature, was also most defiant and most +daring, and there were few things she would pause at to punish the +English girl. +</P> + +<P> +How queer is life! These two girls loved each other, and yet neither +would succumb, neither would yield to the desires of the other. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock tried to forget her constant headaches, her bad nights, her +restless spirit, by employing her satellites in all sorts of +mischievous tasks. No one noticed that she was not well, for her +cheeks were apple-red with the glow of apparent health, and her lovely, +dark, affectionate eyes had never looked more brilliant than at present. +</P> + +<P> +Nevertheless, she <I>would</I> pay Leuchy out—Leuchy, who had now no one to +protect her, as even the pious Meg Drummond was not allowed to make +special friends with her. Meg, in her way, was as commonplace as +Leucha, and she thought it a fine thing to know the daughter of an +English nobleman; but Meg was strictly forbidden to show any preference +for Leucha, who would have gladly received her, and been even now +slightly comforted by her dull society. But the fiat had gone forth. +Meg had made immense mischief in the school by her confession. She was +detested by all the other girls for having made this mischief, and was +as lonely in her way as Leucha herself. The one thing that sustained +the school at this painful juncture was the hard work necessitated by +the competitions for the Duke of Ardshiel's lockets. +</P> + +<P> +Leucha had a dim hope that if she won one of these great prizes and +could bring it back at Christmas to her mother, she might be allowed to +leave this hateful school. Accordingly, she worked hard at her theme. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock's choice, as she herself expressed it, was 'The Zone of +Danger.' It seemed in some ways a strange thing for Mrs Macintyre to +suggest, and she repented it after she had done so; but Hollyhock's +dancing eyes, and her brilliant cheeks, her smiles, her fascinating way +of saying, 'I 'm not frightened,' had obliged the head-mistress to keep +to her resolve. +</P> + +<P> +The competitions were of a somewhat peculiar nature. The six prizes +were more or less open ones. For instance, the girls who chose to +compete in the essay competition might choose their own subject. The +girls who went in for foreign languages might select French, German, or +Italian. The girls who struggled to attain general knowledge had a +very wide field indeed to select from. The only thing they had to do +was carefully to select their subject and hand it under a feigned name +to Mrs Macintyre, the envelope being sealed, and the lady herself not +knowing its contents until the day before the prizes were to be given +by the Duke of Ardshiel himself to the school. +</P> + +<P> +Her idea with regard to the competition which Hollyhock called 'The +Zone of Danger' was that the Scots lassie or English girl, as the case +might be, should perform a brilliant deed, a feat demanding skill, +endurance, and nerve. But Hollyhock intended her zone of danger to be +one really great and very terrible, something that was to take place at +night. Very few girls in the school chose to compete for this prize, +as they knew only too well that Holly would beat them into 'nothing at +all,' her magnificent bravery being so well known. +</P> + +<P> +One day, about a fortnight before the general break-up at the school, +when Mrs Macintyre was preparing to have a joyful time with her friends +in Edinburgh, and the Palace of the Kings was to be shut up, a band—a +very large band—of girls were collected round the fire in the +ingle-nook in the great hall, and were listening to Hollyhock's +fascinating words. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly Agnes Featherstonhaugh spoke. She was a very reserved English +girl, and had only been won over to Hollyhock by slow degrees. But, +once she was won over, her heart was in a state of intense and +passionate devotion. She would, in short, do anything for this radiant +young creature. +</P> + +<P> +'Holly,' she said, as a slight pause in the animated conversation gave +her the chance she required, 'confession is good for the soul. Meg +knows that.— Don't you, Meg?' +</P> + +<P> +Meg shrugged her shoulders, looked sulky, and made no reply. But when +Hollyhock touched her gently on the arm, she snuggled up to her in a +kind of passionate love. She felt inclined to weep, for she knew that +she—yes, <I>she</I>—had caused the terrible discord and unhappiness which +now reigned in the school. +</P> + +<P> +'I wish to say,' continued Agnes, 'that I am following in the footsteps +of a much finer character than my own. Leucha Villiers belongs to the +school'—— +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock stirred restlessly. +</P> + +<P> +'And Leucha is alone morning, noon, and night, except when she is busy +over her essay.' +</P> + +<P> +'I—I'm <I>willing</I>'—— began Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'No, Holly darling, you are not to be put upon any more than you have +been!' +</P> + +<P> +Similar remarks were made by a chorus of girls, who were really sick of +Leucha and her ways. +</P> + +<P> +'I—I'm <I>willing</I>,' said Hollyhock, bringing out the words with a great +effort. 'But there, let things slide. I have my own troubles, and +what I do, I do alone; only you all hear me say, lassies, that I'm +<I>willing</I>.— Now, then, Agnes, go on with your speech.' +</P> + +<P> +'It's only this,' said Agnes, 'that, following in the steps of that +most noble creature, Meg Drummond, I also am confessing a little sin, a +small one at that; but I too must save my soul, girls, just as Meg had +to save hers.' +</P> + +<P> +'Go ahead,' said Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'It was this very afternoon,' continued Agnes, 'when we were all busy +in the great warm schoolroom, no teachers being present, and we were +all occupied over our different competitions, each of us, of course, +hoping to win the prize given by the great Ardshiel. Well, it so +happened that Leucha Villiers's desk was next to mine, and Leucha +suddenly went out of the room, and a temptation swift and frightful +came over me. Nobody saw me do it, and why I did it I can never tell, +but do it I did; and if you 'll believe me, girls, I opened Leucha's +desk, no one seeing me at the job, and took out her paper on the +kitchen cat. I don't myself think she 'll get a prize from his Grace +for <I>that</I> paper; and, what's more, I don't care, for venom is in the +girl, and in every word of her poor, stupid little paper. She compares +the kitchen cat to our dear Hollyhock, and abuses Hollyhock in such a +way'—— +</P> + +<P> +'Stop—say no more,' cried Hollyhock. 'You did wrong to read, and I +won't be told what was said of me. No, the daughter of a Cameron isn't +that sort.— You can go on with your talk, lassies; but I 'm for my +bed. I have a bit of a headache, and the sleep so beauteous will take +it away.' +</P> + +<P> +With these words Hollyhock left the room, and Agnes found she had done +very little good by her confession. The other girls, however, who were +less scrupulous, crowded round her and implored her to tell them what +that 'wicked one' had said. +</P> + +<P> +'No; I 'll tell no more,' said Agnes. 'Holly wouldn't wish it. But, +oh, to think of that noble girl being spoken of like that! Oh, the +cruel, cruel, angry girl! My heart bleeds for our darling!' +</P> + +<P> +'She 'll not get the prize,' said a Scots girl. 'Think you now that +Ardshiel would give a prize to one who abuses his kinswoman?' +</P> + +<P> +'She has put her foot in it by so doing,' said another. +</P> + +<P> +'We'd best let her alone, Agnes; and you keep your confession to +yourself. You had no right to read the paper,' said Meg Drummond in +her solemn voice. +</P> + +<P> +'I had not,' replied Agnes; 'but seeing that you were so troubled by a +bit of a lark on account of your poor soul, Meg, I thought I 'd follow +suit.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well,' said Meg, who came out a good deal when Hollyhock was absent, +'my mother tells me my immortal soul is safe now. I can pray again, +and I 'm happy; but yours is a different case altogether, Agnes. +Anyhow, you have done the deed, and one of the lockets will never go to +Earl Crossways' daughter.' +</P> + +<P> +The girls talked together for a little longer, all of them rejoicing in +the thought that Leucha had now no possible chance of a locket. She +was so thoroughly disliked in the school that they positively rejoiced +in this certainty, and forgave Agnes her mean trick of looking at the +essay. +</P> + +<P> +But Hollyhock, up in her room, having bluntly refused to listen to any +of the words of the naughty girl who had read a part of the essay, was +nevertheless wild with rage, and could not possibly rest. That sense +of forgiveness which she had felt when seated with her companions round +the ingle-nook had now absolutely vanished. She would not demean +herself by listening to words which were not meant for her to hear; but +for the time being at least her little heart was sore, very sore, with +anger. 'Oh Leuchy, whyever are you so spiteful, and why does my head +split, and why does my heart ache for love of one who could be so cruel +to me? Did I not repent over and over and over again? She has done +for herself; but when I go into the danger zone, I go into it now in +very truth. Perhaps when poor Hollyhock is no longer flitting about +the place you 'll think more kindly of me, Leuchy. I was willing for +your sake to make a final effort to be good, but the wish has died. I +'m a bad lass, and you 'll describe me as I am, when the essay on the +kitchen cat is read aloud. Oh Leuchy, <I>I</I> would not be so mean!' +</P> + +<P> +All night long Hollyhock tossed from side to side on her restless +couch, thinking and planning how she would perform that feat which +would stamp her as the bravest lassie in the school. +</P> + +<P> +There was one action which she could perform, one action which was so +full of danger that no other girl in the school would attempt it. It +was, in short, the following. On the night when she entered the danger +zone, she would enter it on her own Arab horse, Lightning Speed. She +could easily get this brilliant little animal over to the Palace of the +Kings by the aid of Magsie, who was more devoted to her than ever. She +would ride her horse, Lightning Speed, in the dead of night, with the +moon shining brightly, up a certain gorge which led to the source of +one of the streams that kept the great lake supplied with water. +</P> + +<P> +Lightning Speed was a high-spirited little animal, a thoroughbred Arab +no less, and Hollyhock knew that at the top of the gorge, when all +things looked so ghostly, he would start at every shadow and at the +slightest sound. He was all nerves, was Lightning Speed—all nerves +and gallant bearing, and devotion to Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +At the top of the gorge was a sudden break in the cliffs, below which +roared the mountain stream. The bold girl resolved to leap from the +rock on the one side to the opposite rock. She was determined that +Lightning Speed would and <I>should</I> obey her, for did not he love her, +the bonnie beastie? +</P> + +<P> +She would not have attempted this deed, because she loved the brave +steed; but now she had heard of Leucha's conduct to her, her mind was +made up. She and Lightning Speed would leap the gorge, and she had +little doubt that they would both land safe on the opposite side. +</P> + +<P> +But this plan of hers, meaning certain death if it failed, was to be +kept a profound secret from every one in the school except Magsie, who +would be able to confirm what Hollyhock had done when the day and hour +arrived. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock, having quite made up her mind, at last fell asleep, and next +morning went downstairs very calm and peaceful to her usual lessons. +She had the calm, heroic look of Brunhilda, the favourite of all +Wagner's great heroines. She even muttered to herself, 'If I die, I +die, and the fire spirits of the great Brunhilda will surround me. I +'ll die rejoicing; but I 'll never, never do a mean deed. No, my +bonnie Lightning Speed and I couldn't bring ourselves so low. We are +meant for better things, my good steed, and better things we 'll do. I +have no fear. Hollyhock is very happy this day of days.' +</P> + +<P> +Her chosen chums and companions couldn't help looking with fresh wonder +at her radiant and lovely face. They little knew what was before them. +She was kind and sweet to every one, but a little quiet, not quite so +restless as usual, but with a wondrous light glowing in her eyes. +</P> + +<P> +The other Flower Girls looked at her in astonishment, but no one had +any fear for Hollyhock. She was not the sort of girl to stir fear +about herself in others. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap25"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXV. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE FIRE SPIRITS. +</H4> + +<P> +A fortnight with so much excitement in the air passes very quickly. +The girls felt this excitement, although they did not talk of it one to +the other. +</P> + +<P> +Leucha sat alone when she was not engaged at her school tasks, and made +her essay on the kitchen cat as venomous as she knew how. Luckily for +poor Leucha, she had not the ability to do much in the way of sarcasm, +and although every single girl in the school must know at a glance that +this feeble caricature was meant for their beloved Hollyhock, it would +certainly not injure the dear Hollyhock in the least. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile Holly, absorbed in helping the other girls to make the time +pass as pleasantly as possible, and in doing mysterious things on +Sunday with Lightning Speed, also forgot Leucha for the time being. +Whenever she did think of her she was sorry for her; but she had not +time to think much of any single person just at present. The horse, +the darling horse, the Arab, the treasure of her life, must be trained +to the task which lay before him. Hollyhock had the knack of making +all animals love her, and the pure-bred Arab is noted for being a most +affectionate creature. He was sulky, and disinclined to obey big +grooms or any one except Hollyhock. But for her he would have given +his life. +</P> + +<P> +The eyes, so flashing black; the coat, black also and of such a silken +sheen; the tail, a little longer than that of most horses; and the +great lovely mane, all gave to the gallant animal a look of +determination and of spirit, which drew the remarks of the neighbours, +who could not imagine why Hollyhock had been presented by her father +with so much finer a horse to ride than the other Flower Girls. But +the fact was that the four other Flower Girls did not so greatly care +for riding, and although they often went out accompanied by their +father on the Saturday and Sunday afternoons, yet they preferred steeds +less spirited in nature than Lightning Speed. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock had, therefore, her own way entirely with her precious +treasure, and for his sake she would not, if possible, endanger the +life of Lightning Speed. She knew well that the leap of twelve feet +which she intended to take would be a mere nothing to Lightning Speed +in the ordinary hours of daylight; but with the moon shining +brilliantly and casting strange lights and also queer black shadows, +and with the terrific noise made by the foaming torrent below, the +horse, brave as he was, might refuse the leap at the last moment. +</P> + +<P> +'At any cost he must not do that,' thought Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'You must not disgrace me, my bonnie beastie,' she whispered into his +sensitive ear; and certainly the Arab looked as if he had no intention +of disgracing the girl he loved. +</P> + +<P> +She took him to the gorge on two Saturdays and Sundays in succession, +and gave him imperious orders to leap across, which he did without a +moment's hesitation, leaping back again with equal ease. But this was +daylight. Things looked different at night. Animals were known to see +strange, uncanny things at night; the shadows were not mere shadows to +them. They were monsters beckoning them to destruction. The light, +too, of the full moon—for it would be full moon that night—would add +to the terrors of Lightning Speed. That intense white world would be +as terrifying to him as the blackness of the gorge and the sudden awful +gap over which he was expected to leap. +</P> + +<P> +Now the prizes were to be presented to the girls of the school by the +great Duke himself, and Mrs Macintyre assumed that the three or four +young maids who were to perform their deeds of daring would choose the +daytime for the display of their courage. +</P> + +<P> +As a matter of fact, very few girls did go in for this prize—five or +six at the most—and these, so far as Mrs Macintyre could tell, chose +the broad light of day to show the stuff they were made of. It never +entered her wildest dreams that Hollyhock would perform her feat, her +daring adventure, about midnight. It was <I>then</I> that the moon would be +at the full. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock could not have carried out the design without the help of +Magsie, who had got her sweetheart, Joey Comfort, one of the grooms at +The Garden, to bring Lightning Speed to the Palace of the Kings. But +even Magsie, who knew the horse was there, had not the faintest idea +that her young mistress would take out so spirited a steed in the +uncanny hours of the night. She did, however, wonder during the day on +which the other competitors were performing their feats of bravery why +her favourite, Miss Hollyhock, was holding back. One by one the +different girls did different small things, which were brave enough in +their way, and all the time a mistress stood by and marked the girl and +her achievement. But Hollyhock had not come forward. She, who was so +extraordinarily brave, kept in the background. The girls were not +allowed to be questioned as to their intentions in this open +competition, and the teachers therefore assumed that although the +different essays had gone to the head-mistress in their sealed +envelopes under feigned names, and the other prizes had been competed +for and were waiting a judgment in Mrs Macintyre's room, Holly would +doubtless have plenty of time to perform something brilliant, and they +only hoped not too reckless, early on the following day. That would be +quite time enough for her deed of courage, and no one thought of a +midnight ride—a wild, half-despairing girl, and a horse so full at +once of timidity and courage, who would go forth to perform their feat +of all feats at the hour of midnight. +</P> + +<P> +As usual, the girls crowded round Hollyhock that evening and asked for +bogy and ghost stories. She told them with a <I>verve</I> which she had +never shown before, and they listened with awed and loving admiration. +Oh, was there ever the like of this girl before in the wide world? +thought those who loved her. Never, never had she spoken as she did +to-night. They shrank together under the spell of her words. A few of +them even wept as they listened, and the one who wept most sadly was +Meg, that pious maid, who had done such mischief to save her soul. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh Holly, but I do love you!' said Meg, laying her head for a minute +on Hollyhock's shoulder. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock, who, as is well known, could not bear kisses, gently patted +Meg's hand, and then stood up. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, girls,' she said, 'to-morrow will be the great day, the grand +day, when the Duke gives prizes to the school. I think nothing myself +of the prizes, having a right on my mother's side to the grand crest of +the Camerons; but I 'm drowsy. Most of you have done your best, and +even Leuchy will be put about if she does not get a prize. Listen to +me, lassies. I have yet to perform my feat, and no one knows what the +feat is.' +</P> + +<P> +'I suppose it will be to-morrow morning that you will do it?' said Meg. +'Please don't run into danger, Holly, for that would break the heart of +every girl in the school.' +</P> + +<P> +'<I>Me</I>—run into danger! Is it like me, now? Do you think I 'm the +sort who 'd wilfully imperil my life? No, not me! But I 'm tired of +these constant headaches, and I 'd like a wee bit of rest. You say +I'll perform my feat in the morning. Some are clever at guessing—let +that be. But whatever happens in the future—and no one can tell—I +want Leuchy to know that I bear her no malice, and that if she thinks +me like poor Jean, the kitchen cat at The Garden, why, I'm satisfied. +You are all here round me with the exception of Leuchy, and I 'm +thinking of her loneliness. Well, whatever happens—and I don't think +for a moment anything <I>will</I> happen—I'd like Leuchy to know that all +through this bitter, sad time, while Meg here was saving her soul—and +quite right you were, Meg—I have never ceased to love Leuchy—never. +She was not the sort of girl I 'd take up; but I did her a wrong, and +so I took her up; and I want her to forgive me, if indeed there is +anything to forgive. Now, good-night; I 'm off to my bed to ease my +troubled head. There's nothing like sleep for that, is there?' +</P> + +<P> +To the astonishment of the girls, Hollyhock kissed one and all, and +said, 'I'm getting sentimental. I must to bed to cure my headache. A +very good night to you!' +</P> + +<P> +She flitted out of the room, the girls looking after her in startled +amazement. +</P> + +<P> +'I don't like it, for my part,' said Meg Drummond. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, but it's all right,' said Gentian. 'It's only our Holly's way. +She's excited, that's all.' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, I expect that's about all,' said Jasmine, but she spoke with a +certain uneasiness, which was not, however, apparent in her voice. +</P> + +<P> +By-and-by the girls followed Hollyhock to their rooms. It has been +said already that Hollyhock's room and Leucha's were side by side. +Hollyhock went up to bed on this special night before nine o'clock. +She guessed well that Leucha would be in her room. In case anything +happened—<I>in case!</I> but of course nothing would happen—she had left a +message for Leuchy with the other girls of the school; but now, as she +passed her door, a desire to make one last effort to speak to her, to +be friends with her once more, came over the brave child with a +passionate force. +</P> + +<P> +She tapped at the door, and without waiting for an answer opened it +softly and went in. She had spent days in that room as sick-nurse. +How uncomfortable that camp-bed was, too; how restless and exigent was +Leucha! But the room looked tidy enough now with the camp-bed removed +and a brilliant fire blazing in the grate. Certainly the Duke's school +did not lack for luxury. +</P> + +<P> +Leucha was seated by the fire. Her face was pale, and her light, thin +hair was unbecomingly dressed. She had been forced, of course, to +dress for the evening; but she was now wearing an old tea-gown, which +had been made for her out of one of Lady Crossways' worn-out garments. +The tea-gown was of a light brown; the make was poor, but it was warm +and comfortable, although nothing could be more trying to Leucha's +appearance. Holly could have worn it, as she could wear anything with +effect; but Leucha, with her pale eyes and scanty locks, was a +different sort of being. The brown tea-gown certainly did not suit +her. Hollyhock, who was wearing a dress of soft silk and brightest +crimson in colour, looked a magnificent young figure beside the dowdy +Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +Leucha knew at once that she looked dowdy, and hated Holly all the more +for showing herself off, as she expressed it. +</P> + +<P> +'What have you come for?' she said. 'I haven't invited you.' +</P> + +<P> +'I only thought, Leuchy dear, I 'd like to say good-night,' said Holly +in her rich, gentle tones. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, good-night, good-night. But surely you are not going to bed yet?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, that I am. My head aches, and there's no place for an aching +head like bed. I thought perhaps, perhaps'—Hollyhock's voice +trembled—'you'd give me one kiss, Leuchy.' +</P> + +<P> +'Don't be such a goose,' said Leucha. 'I don't want to kiss you.' +</P> + +<P> +'Very well; good-night, Leuchy dear!' +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock went into her own room. The moment she had gone Leucha +became possessed by a tremendous desire to give that kiss so sweetly +asked for. But her obstinate and silly pride prevented her. Besides, +how could Leucha possibly kiss a girl whom she had made such a rare +fool of? No, it could not be. +</P> + +<P> +The fact was that Leucha was exceedingly pleased with her own work, and +quite hoped to take the Duke of Ardshiel's locket to her mother, and +thus get away from the horrid school. She had not the least suspicion +of its contents being known, or at least partly known, to several girls +in the school. But even she could not kiss Hollyhock to-night; even +she could not give that Judas kiss. +</P> + +<P> +She snuggled into her chair, wrapped her ugly tea-gown round her, and +wondered what possessed Hollyhock to go to bed so early, and why she +was always suffering from headaches. So unlike her, too, for she +looked the very picture of rosy health. Leucha made up her mind that +Hollyhock was putting on these headaches to enlist the sympathy of the +school. +</P> + +<P> +'Just like her,' thought Leucha; and yet through all her angry thoughts +and all through the writing of the vicious and silly essay she knew +well that she loved Hollyhock as she loved no one else in the school. +Yes, Hollyhock was the only girl she loved. She might bring herself to +make up the quarrel with her next term, but she could not give her a +Judas kiss to-night. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock crept into bed without undressing fully. Her habit lay ready +beside her, but in such a position that no one would notice it. She +had taken off her pretty crimson frock, and had plaited her masses of +black hair into two thick tails, the ends of which she secured with +scarlet ribbons. +</P> + +<P> +Half-dressed, she hid under the bedclothes. She could slip into her +habit and go downstairs with noiseless feet when the moon was near its +height. The adventure would be quickly over, and she would be free, +she would be happy. She would have done the bravest deed of all the +girls in the school, and her beloved, her best-beloved, Lightning Speed +would not come to harm. Mistress and horse loved each other too well +for that to happen. She could control him by a look, a touch, a word. +</P> + +<P> +But the time was long in coming. Hollyhock had done her part as far as +girl could. She must now keep calm and try to ease that ever-aching +head. +</P> + +<P> +One by one the girls went up to bed; but still Hollyhock had to lie +awake, waiting, waiting, pining for the weary hours to pass, for there +was no use in attempting the dangerous task before the moon was at its +full, and that would not be until midnight. +</P> + +<P> +The dressing of herself, the arranging of her sidesaddle on Lightning +Speed, the starting for the celebrated gorge, would take her altogether +about half-an-hour, the gorge being some distance from the Palace of +the Kings. +</P> + +<P> +At half-past eleven, therefore, she might safely get up and prepare for +her task. Every other girl in the school was long in bed and sound +asleep. The servants had retired to their rooms, the teachers had gone +to their rest, for to-morrow was to be a great day, as the Duke himself +was expected to present the lockets to the six successful candidates +for the prizes. The great Ardshiel would be at the school to-morrow at +mid-day, and Mrs Macintyre thought she had better go to bed early. She +was always the last to sit up in the Palace of the Kings; but to-night +she went to her room at sharp eleven, a little weary, a little +perplexed, a little sorry, for she had read Leucha's vindictive essay, +and felt that she could not possibly keep such a girl any longer in the +school. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap26"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXVI. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +HOLLYHOCK'S DEED OF VALOUR. +</H4> + +<P> +Little did any one in that great house suspect what was going on during +those hours devoted to peaceful slumber. Mrs Macintyre was dreaming of +the Duke, and of the great honour he was about to confer on her school. +Leucha, worn-out and unhappy, was sleeping peacefully at last. Every +girl in the school was at rest, with the exception of the one girl who +had yet to perform her feat of valour. There was, however, one +exception to the intense peace of the school, and that exception was +Magsie, who, although she never imagined such an awful catastrophe as +might occur, still was full of a latent uneasiness with regard to Miss +Hollyhock. Magsie slept, of course, because she was tired; but she +woke again because her dreams were bad. They were all about bonnie +Miss Hollyhock and Lightning Speed. She felt so anxious that after +some time she rose softly, left the other servants, and crept out into +the moonlight night. +</P> + +<P> +It was now past midnight, and the moon was setting. Magsie's steps +first took her in the direction of the stables. She peeped into one +stall after another. There was no sign anywhere of Lightning Speed. +This was quite sufficient for the brave Scots lass. She made up her +mind and acted accordingly. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile Hollyhock, a little before half-past eleven o'clock, had +risen very gently, and carefully adjusted her habit and her little +scarlet cap, which she was fond of wearing when she rode with Dumpy +Dad. Her scarlet ribbons kept her hair tied tightly back—those long, +thick, magnificent black locks of hers. As a rule, when she rode with +her father she wore her hair unbound, floating wildly in the breeze; +but she thought Lightning Speed would like her best to-night in her +present attire. She had chosen an old habit of dark Lincoln green. +She glanced at herself for a moment in the glass. Why <I>would</I> her head +keep aching, aching, when she <I>looked</I> so well, when her cheeks were so +bright and her great black eyes so sparkling? +</P> + +<P> +It is true that when she touched her forehead she felt it feverishly +hot, but she could not be in any way ill; that was impossible. She had +never looked better, and looks would sometimes show signs of illness. +How bad, for instance, poor Leuchy had looked after she, Hollyhock, had +played the prank on her; how withered up, like an apple all +overripe—her eyes so dim, her scanty locks so faded! Well, she must +not think of Leuchy now; only she would have been a little happier if +Leuchy had given her the kiss she had asked for. +</P> + +<P> +The maids of England were cold. She, Hollyhock, could not understand +them, could not attempt to fathom them. She crept softly downstairs, +gathering her habit over her arm. +</P> + +<P> +The moon was now full and at its height. She would reach the gap in +the gorge just at the critical moment. The adventure <I>was</I> a wee bit +dangerous—she had to acknowledge that to herself—a wee bit, no more! +</P> + +<P> +She reached the stable where Lightning Speed was waiting for her. She +had put two or three apples into the pocket of her habit. She gave one +to her darling Arab as she prepared him for his ride. Quickly he was +ready. The girl saw that the girths of the side-saddle were right, +tight, and sure. She took all possible precautions, for if she were to +die or hurt herself it would be bad; but if Lightning Speed were to +hurt his precious self, it would be, according to Hollyhock, a thousand +times worse. The horse neighed at the caress and the apple, and +Hollyhock let him peep into the little reserve of apples in the pocket +at her side, which were all to be his when the great feat was +accomplished. +</P> + +<P> +It seemed to her that Lightning Speed knew her very thoughts. He +sniffed gratefully. She sprang lightly on his back, having first +secured the door of the stable. +</P> + +<P> +A minute later they were off and away. She thought of young Lochinvar; +she thought of the splendid ballads of her native land; she felt +thrilled with the excitement of the moment; but how ghastly white was +the moon, and how tremendously big and black the shadows where the moon +did not fall! Both girl and horse felt these brightnesses and these +shadows. +</P> + +<P> +'Well,' thought Hollyhock, 'it will be soon over, my bonnie Lightning +Speed;' and the horse, disturbed a little at first by the unearthly +glamour over everything, soon calmed down and made straight for the +gorge up which rider and steed were to mount, in order to accomplish +that awful leap from rock to rock, which they must take twice in order +that Hollyhock might really feel that she had done a deed worthy of the +prize. +</P> + +<P> +The horse evidently did not like the intense whiteness of the moon; but +when he got into the comparative darkness of the gorge, he calmed down +and became his usual self. Hollyhock did not attempt to urge him in +any way; she simply let him go his own gait, patting him several times +on his glossy coat. She knew well that the crucial moment would arrive +when they left the shadow of the gorge and stood forth, girl and horse, +prepared to take the leap, which, if by any chance Lightning Speed +rebelled, must be fatal to them both. +</P> + +<P> +How terribly her head ached; how giddy, how almost silly, she felt! +But at any cost she must carry through her task, that task of hers to +which she had given her whole mind. +</P> + +<P> +The ascent into the intensely bright moonlight was certainly not good +for the nerves of Lightning Speed, and when Hollyhock headed him for +the leap which he must take, just for a brief, very brief, moment he +hesitated. But he loved his mistress. Ah, how <I>much</I> he loved her! +Would <I>he</I> disobey when <I>she</I> ordered him to do a certain deed? He had +never disobeyed her yet, never from the time she first mounted his back +and held his reins. +</P> + +<P> +Her own eyes felt slightly dazzled by the pain in her head and the +intense whiteness of the scene. The roaring torrent below had never +sounded so ferociously loud. Holly leant forward and looked into +Lightning Speed's jet-black eyes, those eyes as soft as they were +black, as wonderfully full of feeling as were Holly's own bright, +loving eyes. The black eyes of the girl looked into the black eyes of +the horse. +</P> + +<P> +She said aloud in her soft magnetic whisper, 'You 'll <I>do</I> it, my +bonnie lad; you 'll take the leap, for the love of me, my bonnie, +bonnie lad;' and the horse seemed to answer her back, for he gave a +gentle neigh and prepared himself for the leap. +</P> + +<P> +Any one else he would have resisted, but not Hollyhock, not his beloved +mistress. He knew exactly how to accomplish the exploit required of +him. He bounded a bit back, then a bit forward, then sprang across +with a noble endeavour, and reached the opposite bank. +</P> + +<P> +They were both in safety. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, but you are good, Lightning Speed,' said Hollyhock. 'You have +done the worst now, and shall have an apple for your pains. Then we +must turn back; but the backward leap will not be so dangerous by half +as was the forward.' +</P> + +<P> +By this time Lightning Speed felt as excited as his young mistress. He +could scarcely bring himself to eat the apple, so anxious he seemed to +complete his task and get back to the safety and shelter of the gorge. +He was not frightened now, not he. He would have leaped double that +distance if he could for Hollyhock the brave. He prepared himself for +the return leap. He sprang out over the awful chasm. +</P> + +<P> +But what ailed Hollyhock herself? The horse showed no fear; but the +girl trembled and reeled. Just as they had almost reached the opposite +side, and, as far as Lightning Speed was concerned, were in absolute +safety, Hollyhock found herself slipping from the saddle. The horse +was safe as safe could be; but she—she had slipped and rolled headlong +down the steep bank. The aching in her head was so tremendous that she +had absolutely no strength to keep her seat. She felt herself falling, +falling, bruised and battered by sharp rocks. And then all was a +merciful blank. She knew no more. +</P> + +<P> +When she came to her senses again she sat up with a great shiver, and +found herself perilously perched on a narrow ledge of rock, while away +above her head Lightning Speed looked down at her and whinnied in the +deepest distress. To get down to her, to help, to reach her, was for +him impossible. His whole heart was hers; but he could do nothing for +her, nothing at all! +</P> + +<P> +She saw his gallant head looking down at her, and she managed to call +out to him, 'Go home, my bonnie Lightning Speed; go home, and get some +one to bring ropes for poor Hollyhock. Oh, but you are a brave and +noble beastie!' +</P> + +<P> +The horse was puzzled whether to obey or not. Home to him was not the +Palace of the Kings, but his own comfortable loose-box at The Garden. +The stable would be locked now; but he might go to the front-door and +scrabble with his feet and make a loud and piercing whinny. Then, of a +surety, the Lennox man, Hollyhock's father, would come out, and he, +Lightning Speed, would lead him to the scene of danger. +</P> + +<P> +Now there was one fact that both girl and horse forgot. In order to +get out and in Hollyhock had taken pains early in the day to secure the +gate keys of the Palace of the Kings; but both horse and girl forgot +that the gates of The Garden, the beloved home of Lightning Speed, +would be locked until early in the morning. It would be all in vain +for Lightning Speed to try to surmount those high iron gates, in order +to secure the services of George Lennox. +</P> + +<P> +But while Hollyhock thus clung desperately to the narrow ledge of rock, +which was at least twenty feet down from the top of the famous leap, +and forty feet above the roaring torrent of water, Magsie had not been +idle. She wasted no time in waking the house. She concluded at once +that Miss Hollyhock was away, because Lightning Speed was away. In a +flash she guessed why the girl had done no feat that day. She also +felt almost certain where she would take Lightning Speed. For horse +and rider to leap a chasm of twelve feet in the bright moonlight would +be a fine act of courage, a mighty act, just the thing that Miss +Hollyhock would attempt, and Magsie now recalled with dismay certain +hints about the gorge dropped by that intrepid young horse-woman. +</P> + +<P> +It has been said that the Palace of the Kings lay between The Paddock +and The Garden, but if anything it was a trifle nearer to The Paddock +than it was to The Garden. Magsie therefore determined to go to The +Paddock and get the help of Master Jasper and any others she could +find, in the vague and almost forlorn hope of rescuing Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +There seemed no hope for her; but Magsie must do her best. How she +blamed herself now for allowing Joey Comfort to bring the horse to +Ardshiel! But it was too late for praise or for blame. All Magsie +could do was to act, and act promptly. Accordingly, flying like a wild +creature, she made for the lodge gates, which, as she had feared, she +found unlocked. Hollyhock had the keys. She soon reached The Paddock, +entered by the smaller gate, and flung gravel at the window of Master +Jasper's room. +</P> + +<P> +In an instant Jasper put out his head. 'Why, Magsie, whatever is +wrong?' he said. +</P> + +<P> +'Why, <I>all</I> is wrong, and mighty wrong,' said Magsie. 'Come along this +minute, Master Jasper, and bring wi' ye a coil o' rope and as many +other strong lads as ye can find in the school. Be quick, for it is +Miss Hollyhock, no less, that we are tryin' to save.' +</P> + +<P> +Jasper felt a sick, terrible fear creeping over him; but he was a lad +of fine courage. In a very few minutes he had roused Andy Mackenzie, +John Meiklejohn, and his own brother Wallace, and, with a great coil of +rope, joined Magsie outside the window. +</P> + +<P> +'I don't want my mother frightened,' said Jasper; 'but whatever is +wrong, Magsie?' +</P> + +<P> +'Didn't I tell ye? Isn't my heart like to break? She would do it, the +wild lassie; she would take out Lightnin' Speed to the gap between the +twa rocks and put him to the leap at this time o' nicht. Eh, but what +horse wad stan' such doin's and the moon at the full?' +</P> + +<P> +'However did she get Lightning Speed?' asked Jasper. +</P> + +<P> +'That was my fault! She coaxed me, and coaxed Joey Comfort, my young +man, to get Lightnin' Speed into the stables o' the Palace o' the +Kings. They were havin' prizes—thochts o' the de'il, I think +them—and what must she do but make up her mind to leap across the +rocks when the moon was at the full! Ah, I ken I'm richt! I went to +the stables, and Lightnin' Speed was not there. She's that bold! She +may even now be floatin' in the water. Oh, I 'm afeared; I 'm near mad +wi' fear.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, come along, come along,' said Jasper. 'We haven't a second to +lose. Why, if there is not Lightning Speed his very self! Hollyhock, +as like as not, is close behind him.—Lightning Speed, my bonnie +beastie, wherever is your mistress?' +</P> + +<P> +Lightning Speed—who had to pass The Paddock on his way back to the +Palace of the Kings and The Garden—turned like a flash and led the way +up the gorge. He was much relieved in his dear horsy mind by this +goodly assembly of young rescuers. Much he wished he could speak, but +that gift was denied him. +</P> + +<P> +At last, however, panting and puffing, Magsie and the boys reached the +cleft in the rocks. Lightning Speed, still wearing his side-saddle, +which was pulled a little crooked, bent over the chasm and turned his +black eyes to Jasper, as much as to say, 'Now this work is yours. Call +out to her; call out to her!' +</P> + +<P> +Lightning Speed whinnied very gently, and then Jasper knelt down and +looked into the great hole. The noise of the rushing water made his +voice difficult to hear for the girl, who was still clinging to the +ledge of rock. +</P> + +<P> +But at last, to his infinite delight, Jasper heard her answer very +weakly, 'I 'm here, Jasper; but I 'm nigh to slipping. It's my head, +Jasper, and the giddiness that is over me. Good-night, good-night, +Jasper dear; you cannot save me!' +</P> + +<P> +'Don't say that,' replied Jasper. 'Keep up your courage for a minute +or two longer, Holly, and <I>I'll</I> come to you. Thank goodness I have +plenty of rope.' +</P> + +<A NAME="img-284"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-284.jpg" ALT="The Rescue." BORDER="2" WIDTH="377" HEIGHT="591"> +<H4 CLASS="h4center" STYLE="width: 377px"> +The Rescue. +</H4> +</CENTER> + +<P> +Jasper had an earnest and very rapid conversation with John Meiklejohn +and Andy Mackenzie and Wallace. Quickly a rope was passed under his +arms and round his waist, and before she could believe it possible, +Hollyhock, weak, giddy, helpless, was caught in the boy's arms. +</P> + +<P> +He gave the words, '<I>Right you are; pull away!</I>' and in a trice the +three lads and Magsie pulled the girl and the boy up to the summit of +the rock. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock lay like one dead, but the boys carried her straight back to +the Annex, which was the nearest house, and there she could at once +receive her aunt's most tender care and treatment. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap27"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXVII. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +ARDSHIEL TO THE RESCUE. +</H4> + +<P> +Wild indeed was the excitement when the facts of that terrible night +were known; when the Duke of Ardshiel himself, who was to give away the +prizes—the beautiful prizes with his Grace's crest—arrived on the +scene and found no Hollyhock, but a distracted head-mistress and a lot +of miserable-looking girls. +</P> + +<P> +Now, as it happened, Ardshiel loved Hollyhock as he had never loved a +girl since Viola Cameron, long ago, had disappointed him. He was often +at another great castle of his, close to the Palace of the Kings, and +on these occasions he frequently saw his little kinswoman riding on +Lightning Speed beside her father, who looked very noble himself on his +great black charger, which he called Ardshiel, after the Duke. +</P> + +<P> +The Duke used to nod civilly enough to Lennox; but his eyes and his +thoughts were all for Hollyhock, the black-eyed lass who rode so +superbly. When she was with her father he never spoke to her; but on +the occasions when she happened to be alone, he invariably drew up and +had a 'crack' with the lass, admiring her sparkling eyes, her smart +appearance, her wonderful life and love and bravery, all of which shone +in her face. The Duke, alas! had no children, and whenever he saw +Hollyhock he sighed at the thought of the joy which would have been his +had he possessed so fine a lass. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock had that sort of nature which thought nothing at all of rank +for rank's sake, but she admired the dear old man, as she called the +Duke, and flashed her bright, sparkling, naughty eyes into his face, +and talked nonsense to him, which filled his Grace with delight. +Little did Miss Delacour guess or Mrs Macintyre conceive that it was +because of this brave lassie, and because of her alone, that the great +Palace of the Kings had been turned into a school. +</P> + +<P> +The Duke came to Ardshiel on this occasion with his heart beating a +trifle loud for so old a man. He cared little or nothing for the other +girls; but he would see his favourite, and secretly he had resolved +that the diamonds in the locket which she was sure to win should be +larger, finer, more brilliant than those which were presented to the +other girls. +</P> + +<P> +But, alack and alas, what horrible news met him! The head-mistress, +Mrs Macintyre, came out with tears in her eyes to tell him what had +occurred in the watches of the night. The Duke, a white-haired old +man, looked very solemn as he listened. His heart was sick within him. +</P> + +<P> +'Now, listen,' he said when he could find his voice. 'Is there danger +of her life?' +</P> + +<P> +'We don't know; we are not sure,' said Mrs Macintyre. 'She is at +present in a very high fever, and the doctor has been to see her, your +Grace.' +</P> + +<P> +'I tell you, madam, that I 'll send, at my own expense, for the best +doctors in Edinburgh, even in London. That lassie's life has <I>got</I> to +be saved, and my pocket is wide open for the purpose. I wonder, now, +if I could peep at her. I 'd very much like to.' +</P> + +<P> +'I greatly fear not to-day, your Grace. She has to be kept very quiet.' +</P> + +<P> +'Ah, well! The bravery of the girl! Who else but herself would ride +Lightning Speed with the moon at the full? Here's her locket. I chose +it a little finer than the others, because she 's a finer lass, and I +guessed her deed of daring would <I>be</I> a deed of daring, truly. Keep it +for her, madam, and send for the specialists.' +</P> + +<P> +The Duke abruptly left the house, and Mrs Macintyre, with her eyes full +of tears, put Hollyhock's special locket aside without even opening it, +and gave orders in the Duke's name that the greatest doctors be +summoned to the bedside of the sick girl. Then she called her most +esteemed English teacher to her side. +</P> + +<P> +'You must do it, my dear,' she said. +</P> + +<P> +'Do what, dear Mrs Macintyre?' +</P> + +<P> +'Why, I'm nearly as much broken down as the Duke. The poor lassie! +You have read the essays, and know the deeds of daring, and have gone +through the different subjects very carefully, Miss Graham. Then, will +you now give the lockets to the girls you think most deserving? The +locket given for valour is Hollyhock's by every right. The Duke +desires that she shall have it, and I 'll put it away for her until she +is well enough to receive it.' +</P> + +<P> +The Duke, who hated motor-cars, and still kept to the old-fashioned +magnificent carriage with its pair of spirited horses, was driving down +the avenue. He was nearly heart-broken with grief. If that girlie +died, he felt that his gray hairs would go down with sorrow to the +grave. He had come up that avenue so full of hope, he was driving down +equally full of despair. He was not content to trust wholly to Mrs +Macintyre. He himself would telephone immediately to the best doctors +in the land. On his way down the avenue he was startled by hearing the +bitter sobbing of a girl. The sobbing was so terrible in its intensity +that he could not forbear from drawing the check-string, pushing his +snowy head through the open window of the great carriage, and calling +out, 'Who 's there? Who's making that noise?' +</P> + +<P> +Immediately a very frightened and plain little girl stepped into view. +It was Leucha Villiers. All things possible had been tried to win her +stubborn heart, but it was melted at last. It was she—she felt it was +she—who had been the means of destroying Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'What ails you, girl?' asked the Duke. 'I'm Ardshiel, and I am in a +hurry. What makes you weep such bitter tears?' +</P> + +<P> +He looked her up and down with some contempt. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, your Grace, it was really my fault. I 'm sure it was.' +</P> + +<P> +'What—what?' said the Duke. 'Speak out, lass.' +</P> + +<P> +'I've always been unkind to Hollyhock, although she was so good to +me—oh! so good; but I—I was jealous of her; and now she is going to +be taken away, and last evening she came to my room and asked me for +one kiss, and I refused—I refused. Oh! my heart is broken. Oh! I am +a bad girl. There never was Hollyhock's like in the school.' +</P> + +<P> +'Keep your broken heart, lass,' said the Duke. 'I cannot waste time +with you now. I'm off for the doctors.' +</P> + +<P> +Leucha crawled back toward the house, and the Duke went immediately to +his own stately palace and telephoned to the cleverest medical men he +knew: 'Come at once to Constable's, a place they call The Paddock or +the Annex. There's a lass there like to die. She's a near relative of +mine, and I 'll save her if it costs me half of my fortune.' +</P> + +<P> +A couple of famous specialists accepted the Duke's command; and, having +so far relieved his soul, he went to Mrs Constable and begged to be +allowed to remain at The Paddock until the arrival of the physicians. +</P> + +<P> +During this long time of waiting he had an interview with Jasper, who +gave him a vivid and most modest account of what had occurred the night +before. +</P> + +<P> +'You are a brave lad,' said the Duke. 'I 'll never forget it—never. +And that fine horse—that bonnie beastie—if <I>she</I> doesn't ride him +again, no one else shall. He 'll browse in my grounds, and live happy +till his dying day.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, but he 'd die!' cried Jasper. 'Dear Duke of Ardshiel, I <I>think</I>, +down deep in my heart, that Hollyhock will recover.' +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile, in the sickroom, the girl who had gone through so much raved +and moaned, and went over and over again the terrible feat she had +achieved, and over and over again one special name came to her lips. +'Leuchy, you <I>might</I> have kissed me. I do think you <I>might</I> have +kissed me. I 'm wondering if she 'd kiss me <I>now</I>, before I go away.' +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock kept up this fearful moaning until both the great doctors +arrived. They saw that Hollyhock was quite delirious, and they +listened to her wild and rambling words. Of course, George Lennox was +in the child's room, his heart in truth nearly broken; but Hollyhock +did not know that he was there. She was thinking more of that kiss +which had been refused than of anything else just then. +</P> + +<P> +Ah! why was Leuchy <I>so</I> hard—harder than a rock?' +</P> + +<P> +The doctors noticed the constant repetition of the girl's remark, and +having spoken very gravely of the case to Mrs Constable, and to the +poor stricken father, went down to interview the Duke. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, your Grace,' Sir Alexander Macalister said, 'we have no good +news for you. The lassie is ill—very ill. She's fretting over and +over for a girl she calls Leucha. We think that if, perhaps, she saw +Leucha, it might do her good, and calm her, and tend to bring down her +fever. It runs very high at present. She talks of a girl who refuses +to <I>kiss</I> her.' +</P> + +<P> +'My word!' said Ardshiel; 'and you think she ought to see <I>that</I> +creature?' +</P> + +<P> +'It might be wise,' said Sir Alexander Macalister. 'It might be the +means of saving her life.' +</P> + +<P> +'Then run, my lad, run for your bare life, and bring that girl to her. +I met the girl in the avenue crying like anything. I gave her no sort +of comfort; but if the doctors think that she may save brave Hollyhock, +she shall come. Go at once, laddie; go at once. You know who she is.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh yes, I know,' said Jasper. 'She's a horrid, detestable girl.' +</P> + +<P> +'There, you hear him,' said the Duke. 'I thought so myself; but if a +poor worm can help to pull <I>her</I> round, why, that worm shall come and +do her duty. Bring her along with you, Jasper, my boy.' +</P> + +<P> +Thus it happened, to the astonishment of the unhappy school, that young +Jasper Constable arrived on the scene, took Leucha roughly by the hand, +gave her a look of the most unutterable contempt, and told her to come +away at once. +</P> + +<P> +Nobody interfered, for nobody was doing her ordinary work that day in +the school; and on their way between the Palace of the Kings and The +Paddock, Jasper had the pleasure of giving Leucha a piece of his mind. +He did it with all his boyish wrath. +</P> + +<P> +'She asked to kiss you, and you <I>refused</I>. She wonders now on her +<I>deathbed</I> whether you 'll <I>still</I> refuse.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh Jasper, have pity on me—have pity! I 'm in agony,' said Leucha; +but neither Jasper nor the Duke of Ardshiel had any pity to spare for +Leucha. She was, however, by order of the doctors, who remained to see +the effect, allowed to enter the spacious sickroom where Hollyhock was +lying. +</P> + +<P> +Hollyhock felt confused. She did not recognise her father or Jasper or +Aunt Cecilia, and she was not in the least put out by the great +doctors; but when Leucha entered, a quick and quieting change came over +her face. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, Leuchy, perhaps you'll kiss me <I>now</I>,' she muttered; and Leucha +knelt down by her bedside and kissed her softly, gently, tears pouring +from her eyes. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh Holly, Holly, I love you, I love you,' sobbed Leuchy; 'I love you!' +</P> + +<P> +'Gently, gently; that's enough, my lass,' said Sir Alexander. 'Don't +cry, or make a fuss, but sit softly by her, and if she asks for another +kiss, why, give it; but no tears, mind.' +</P> + +<P> +So Leucha, the hopelessly naughty one, was established in the sickroom. +Oh, how happy she felt again; how glad, how more than glad, that +Hollyhock should have called out to <I>her</I> in her illness and trouble! +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap28"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXVIII. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +WHAT LOVE CAN DO. +</H4> + +<P> +Why and wherefore the fever went down and the girl got better no one +could quite tell. Of course, it was supposed to be the work of Leucha, +and perhaps in a measure it was; for when a very warm heart longs for +one thing, and that thing is denied her by passion, ill-temper, and +spite, and then at the critical moment—the most critical moment of +all—is given to her, the effect cannot but be immense. It began by a +great soothing, a happy light in the troubled eyes, a smile round the +sweet, nobly formed lips, the words coming again and yet again, +'Leuchy, Leuchy, I have got you, after all!' +</P> + +<P> +In less than a week Hollyhock was quite out of danger. She recognised +her father; she recognised Jasper; she recognised dear Aunt Cecilia. +She was gentle and sweet to every one. Only once she asked in an +anxious tone, 'Leuchy, is my Lightning Speed all right?' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh yes, you may be sure of that,' replied Leucha. 'There never was a +horse so fussed over.' +</P> + +<P> +'Then I 'm happy,' whispered Hollyhock. 'Hold my hand, Leuchy.' +Leucha did so, and the sick girl dreamt happy dreams, during which her +fever quite departed. +</P> + +<P> +The doctors—for the Duke insisted on their coming constantly—said +that it was a strange and remarkable case of recovery by the power of +love. They looked with a puzzled expression at the object of that +love, but held their peace, for Leucha had done what none of them could +have achieved. +</P> + +<P> +Just before Christmas-time the Duke of Ardshiel insisted on having an +interview with Hollyhock. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, my dear, my darling,' he said; and his old lips trembled and his +great, dark, magnificent eyes flashed with a very subdued and very +softened fire. 'Oh, my love, the Almighty has given you back to the +old man.' +</P> + +<P> +'Sit close to me, Ardshiel,' exclaimed Hollyhock, 'and hold my hand. I +love you so well, Ardshiel.' +</P> + +<P> +'I want you to do something for me, my Hollyhock, I have got your +father's consent and also the doctors' consent, and they say—the +doctors do—that a long, long rest will be best for you; so I have my +plans all formed. I want you to come, to come away to be company to +the old man for Christmas; and afterwards, when you are a bit stronger, +I mean to take you to the Riviera, where the sun shines all day and the +flowers bloom. Will you come with the old man, my dear?' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh Ardshiel, I would, I would; but listen, Ardshiel dear, and don't be +angry. I cannot leave Leuchy behind, for you know she saved my life, +no less.' +</P> + +<P> +'I 'll have her at the Castle, but I 'll not take her to the Riviera,' +said the Duke. 'You'll be strong enough, my bonnie lass, to be back at +the Palace of the Kings at Easter; but, to tell the honest truth, I +have no liking for the maid you call Leucha. However, she has done +good work for you, and I have a special locket and crest to give her. +I 'll take Jasmine to keep you company when we go to the Riviera, and +you 'll meet your friend again at Easter. Will you oblige a very old +man so far, my blessing?' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh Duke, oh Ardshiel, you are the blessedest and the best,' said +Hollyhock. 'How pleased Leuchy will be about the locket! And may I +tell her my own self? And may she really come to your castle with me?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, my bonnie one, she may. She 'll come with you as a sort of +nurse, I take it; and you may tell her what you like, Holly, for there +'s nought that I wouldn't do for you.' +</P> + +<P> +So Hollyhock was moved on Christmas Eve to Ardshiel's great castle, and +the Duke was nearly beside himself with delight. He was a little +sharp, however, with wee Leuchy, for he had managed to pick out all her +poor story by now, and had learned how Hollyhock had once frightened +and then nursed her, and he guessed by the look on her face that Leuchy +belonged to the unforgiving of the earth. +</P> + +<P> +Nevertheless, she had saved Hollyhock now, and he was bound to be good +to her for that reason. His nephew, the next heir to the title, was +staying at the Castle, and this Cameron had a son of his own, 'the +bonniest lad you could clap eyes on,' who would, all in good time, be +Duke and owner of great possessions. +</P> + +<P> +The old Duke twinkled his eyes when he saw Leucha making up to the +goodly youth; but he said no words, for he had other plans for his +grand-nephew—very different plans. As for young Cameron, he took such +a very violent dislike to poor Leucha on the spot that she soon ceased +to pay him attention. +</P> + +<P> +Lady Crossways, hearing of this delightful visit, had sent down a whole +boxful of gaudy and unsuitable clothes for Leucha; but Hollyhock, with +her true and rare eye for colour, would not let Leucha be so attired. +She spoke privately to the Duke. +</P> + +<P> +'Ardshiel,' she remarked, 'is your purse still wide open?' +</P> + +<P> +'For <I>you</I>, my lassie; for <I>you</I>.' +</P> + +<P> +'But I want it to be wide open for another,' said Holly. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, I must do as you wish, Hollyhock, my blessing. I suppose you +want me to'—— +</P> + +<P> +'Hark and I 'll tell you,' said Hollyhock, putting her pretty mouth to +the old man's ear. +</P> + +<P> +The result of that whisper was that two boxes of clothes arrived from +the most expensive dressmaker in London, and the old Duke, who had a +passion for dress and for good taste in all respects, presented the +contents of one box to his beloved Holly, and the contents of the other +to Leucha. +</P> + +<P> +'There, lass; there,' he said. 'Your mother won't mind your wearing a +present from the Duke of Ardshiel. Take them and wear them while you +are here. They were chosen by Holly, who has the best taste in the +whole country round.' +</P> + +<P> +Leucha forced herself to admire the rich, quiet clothing which the Duke +and Hollyhock had chosen for her, and wonderful was the change for the +better in her appearance. She had her own maid, too, while at the +Castle, who managed to make the most of her scanty locks. +</P> + +<P> +On the whole Leucha was not quite unhappy while at this noble mansion, +but neither was she quite happy. The Duke had a piercing eye, and when +it flashed on her she seemed to shrink into herself. +</P> + +<P> +Young Cameron, the next heir but one to the dukedom, endeavoured to be +polite to her, but found the task too much for him; whereas Hollyhock's +gay black eyes and more than merry peals of delight charmed the young +man's heart. +</P> + +<P> +Before long Hollyhock was strong enough to go out of doors; and then, +in a very few days, to her exquisite delight, she was permitted to ride +once again on Lightning Speed. Oh, the joy of mounting her beloved +horse! Oh, the joy of the meeting between that horse and his mistress! +</P> + +<P> +The Duke was, as he expressed it, in high feather. The young +Lennoxes—that is, the rest of them—and the young Constables were all +invited to spend many days at the Castle, until at last the Christmas +holidays passed by, and Leucha went back to school; and the Duke, the +Duke's nephew, that nephew's son, and dear, gentle Jasmine, as well as +Hollyhock, all went off on an expedition to the Riviera. There, at the +favoured spot called Beaulieu, the Duke had a villa—a most magnificent +place. Never, never had Hollyhock even dreamed of such splendour, such +sunshine, such joy. +</P> + +<P> +The two men walked about a good deal together. Young Cameron +accompanied Jasmine and Hollyhock wherever they went; but there was an +unmistakable look in his eyes when he glanced at Hollyhock—Hollyhock, +the maid so brave, so beautiful. The Duke read that secret in his eyes +and chuckled inwardly to himself; but Hollyhock was far too young to +notice it, and the wise old Duke kept his secret to himself. 'Time +enough,' he muttered; 'time in plenty; let them remain children yet for +many a long day. Oh, but my old heart feels young again when I look at +her. No wonder the rascal feels as he does, but time—<I>the</I> time has +not come yet—"My love she's but a lassie yet." Why, here she is, her +very self, coming to meet me.' +</P> + +<P> +'Ardshiel,' exclaimed Hollyhock, 'may I walk with you a wee while? You +are such a dear old man, Ardshiel, and I like to feel the touch of your +hand on my shoulder. Oh, but I love you, Ardshiel.' +</P> + +<P> +'And what have you done with my grand-nephew and Jasmine?' asked the +old Duke. +</P> + +<P> +'I do not know,' replied Hollyhock. 'He's a bonnie lad, but I like you +the best of all, Duke of Ardshiel! I love my own people, and the +Precious Stones, and my schoolmates, and the English lass that saved my +life—you are not hurt, Ardshiel? for I cannot but love the English +lass—but of all men, except my Daddy Dumps, you come first, Ardshiel, +my darling man!' +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="finis"> +THE END. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap29"></A> + +<H3> +BOOKS BY L. T. MEADE. +</H3> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +GIRL OF HIGH ADVENTURE, A<BR> +LIGHT O' THE MORNING<BR> +MADGE MOSTYN'S NIECES<BR> +QUEEN OF JOY, THE<BR> +THE DAUGHTER OF A SOLDIER<BR> +BEVY OF GIRLS<BR> +REBEL OF THE SCHOOL<BR> +QUEEN ROSE<BR> +DUMPS: A PLAIN GIRL<BR> +THE SCHOOL QUEENS<BR> +BETTY VIVIAN<BR> +PRETTY GIRL AND THE OTHERS<BR> +GAY CHARMER<BR> +A SCHOOL FAVOURITE<BR> +A MODERN TOMBOY<BR> +BETTY: A SCHOOLGIRL<BR> +WILD KITTY<BR> +CHILDREN OF WILTON CHASE<BR> +FOUR ON AN ISLAND<BR> +PETER THE PILGRIM<BR> +DADDY'S GIRL<BR> +DARLING OF THE SCHOOL<BR> +PETRONELLA<BR> +HOLLYHOCK<BR> +COSEY CORNER<BR> +PRINCESS OF THE REVELS<BR> +SCAMP FAMILY<BR> +SUE<BR> +BUNCH OF COUSINS<BR> +PLAYMATES<BR> +LITTLE MARY<BR> +SQUIRE'S LITTLE GIRL<BR> +POOR MISS CAROLINA<BR> +DICKORY DOCK<BR> +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +W & R CHAMBERS, LIMITED, LONDON AND EDINBURGH. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR><BR> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Hollyhock, by L. T. Meade + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOLLYHOCK *** + +***** This file should be named 28566-h.htm or 28566-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/5/6/28566/ + +Produced by Al Haines + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</BODY> + +</HTML> + diff --git a/28566-h/images/img-132.jpg b/28566-h/images/img-132.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e9efc9b --- /dev/null +++ b/28566-h/images/img-132.jpg diff --git a/28566-h/images/img-148.jpg b/28566-h/images/img-148.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c851f90 --- /dev/null +++ b/28566-h/images/img-148.jpg diff --git a/28566-h/images/img-284.jpg b/28566-h/images/img-284.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..709f80f --- /dev/null +++ b/28566-h/images/img-284.jpg diff --git a/28566-h/images/img-cover.jpg b/28566-h/images/img-cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bf80630 --- /dev/null +++ b/28566-h/images/img-cover.jpg diff --git a/28566-h/images/img-front.jpg b/28566-h/images/img-front.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e033ab3 --- /dev/null +++ b/28566-h/images/img-front.jpg diff --git a/28566.txt b/28566.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3d2215d --- /dev/null +++ b/28566.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8766 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Hollyhock, by L. T. Meade + +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: Hollyhock + A Spirit of Mischief + +Author: L. T. Meade + +Illustrator: W. Rainey + +Release Date: April 12, 2009 [EBook #28566] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOLLYHOCK *** + + + + +Produced by Al Haines + + + + + + + + + + +[Illustration: Cover art] + + + + + +[Frontispiece: Sprang out over the awful chasm.] + + + + + + +HOLLYHOCK + +A SPIRIT OF MISCHIEF + + +BY + +L. T. MEADE + + +AUTHOR OF 'BEVY OF GIRLS,' 'REBEL OF THE SCHOOL,' ETC. + + + +ILLUSTRATED + +by + +W. Rainey + + + + + +LONDON: 38 Soho Square, W. + +W. & R. CHAMBERS, LIMITED + +EDINBURGH: 338 High Street + +1916 + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER + + I. THE CHILDREN OF THE UPPER GLEN + II. AUNT AGNES + III. AUNT AGNES'S WAY + IV. THE PALACE OF THE KINGS + V. THE EARLY BIRD + VI. THE HEAD-MISTRESS + VII. THE OPENING OF THE GREAT SCHOOL + VIII. HOLLYHOCK LEFT IN THE COLD + IX. THE WOMAN WHO INTERFERED + X. A MISERABLE GIRL + XI. SOFT AND LOW + XII. UNDER PROTEST + XIII. THE SUMMER PARLOUR + XIV. THE FIRE THAT WILL NOT LIGHT + XV. CREAM + XVI. THE GIRL WITH THE WAYWARD HEART + XVII. THE GREAT CONSPIRACY + XVIII. LEUCHA'S TERROR + XIX. JASMINE'S RESOLVE + XX. MEG'S CONSCIENCE + XXI. THERE IS NO WAY OUT + XXII. THE END OF LOVE + XXIII. THE GREAT CHARADE + XXIV. THE WARM HEART ROUSED AT LAST + XXV. THE FIRE SPIRITS + XXVI. HOLLYHOCK'S DEED OF VALOUR + XXVII. ARDSHIEL TO THE RESCUE + XXVIII. WHAT LOVE CAN DO + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS + + +Sprang out over the awful chasm . . . . . . _Frontispiece_ + +'It's here on moonlight nights that the ghost walks.' + +The Conspiracy + +The Rescue. + + + + +Hollyhock, a Spirit of Mischief. + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE CHILDREN OF THE UPPER GLEN. + +There was, of course, the Lower Glen, which consisted of boggy places +and endless mists in winter, and a small uninteresting village, where +the barest necessaries of life could be bought, and where the folks +were all of the humbler class, well-meaning, hard-working, but, alas! +poor of the poor. When all was said and done, the Lower Glen was a +poor place, meant for poor people. + +Very different was the Upper Glen. It was beyond doubt a most +beautiful region, and as Edinburgh and Glasgow were only some fifty +miles away, in these days of motor-cars it was easy to drive there for +the good things of life. The Glen was sheltered from the worst storms +by vast mountains, and was in itself both broad and flat, with a great +inrush of fresh air, a mighty river, and three lakes of various sizes. +So beautiful was it, so delightful were its soft and yet at times keen +breezes, that it might have been called 'The Home of Health.' But no +one thought of giving the Glen this title, for the simple reason that +no one thought of health in the Glen; every one was enjoying that +blessed privilege to the utmost. + +At the time when this story opens, two families lived in the Upper +Glen. There was a widowed lady, Mrs Constable, who resided at a lovely +home called The Paddock; and there was her brother, a widower, who +lived in a house equally beautiful, named The Garden. + +The Hon. George Lennox had five young daughters, whom he called not by +their baptismal names, but by flower names. Mrs Constable, again, +called her five boys after precious stones. + +The names of the girls were Jasmine, otherwise Lucy; Gentian, otherwise +Margaret; Hollyhock, whose baptismal name was Jacqueline; Rose of the +Garden, who was really Rose; and Delphinium, whose real name was +Dorothy. + +The boys, sons of gentle Mrs Constable, were Jasper, otherwise John; +Sapphire, whose real name was Robert; Garnet, baptised Wallace; Opal, +whose name was Andrew; and Emerald, christened Ronald. + +These happy children scarcely ever heard their baptismal names. The +flower names and the precious stones names clung to them until the day +when pretty Jasmine and manly Jasper were fifteen years of age. On +that day there came a very great change in the lives of the Flower +Girls and the Precious Stones. On that very day their real story +began. They little guessed it, for few of us do believe in sudden +changes in a very peaceful--perhaps too peaceful--life. + +Nevertheless, a very great change was at hand, and the news which +heralded that tremendous change reached them on the evening of the +birthday of Jasmine and Jasper. It was the custom of these two most +united families to spend their evenings together--one evening at The +Garden, the Flower Girls' home, and the next at The Paddock, Mrs +Constable's house. On this special occasion the Flower Girls went with +their father to The Paddock, and thus avoided receiving until late in +the evening the all-important letter which was to alter their lives +completely. + +George Lennox, whose dead wife had been a Cameron--a near relative of +the head of the great house of Ardshiel--bade his sister a most +affectionate good-night, and returned to The Garden with his five +bonnie lassies. They had passed a delightful evening together, and on +account of the double birthday Lennox and Mrs Constable had made up a +most charming little play, in which the Flower Girls and the Precious +Stones took part. Ever true and kind of heart, they had invited from +the Glen a number of children, and also their parents, to witness the +performance. The play had given untold delight, and the guests from +the Lower Glen finished the evening's entertainment with a splendid +supper, ending with the well-known and beloved song of 'Auld Lang Syne.' + +Mr Lennox and Mrs Constable taught their girls and boys without any aid +from outside. All ten children were smart; indeed, it would be +difficult to find better-educated young people for their ages. But Mrs +Constable knew only too well that whatever the future held in store for +her brother's Flower Girls, she must very soon part, one by one, with +her splendid boys; for was not this the express wish of her beloved +soldier-husband, Major Constable, who had died on the field of battle +in Africa, and who had put away a certain sum of money which was to be +spent, when the time came, on the children's education? He himself was +an old Eton boy, and he wanted his young sons to go to that famous +school if at all possible. But before any of the Precious Stones could +enter Eton, he must pass at least a year at a preparatory school, and +it was the thought of this coming separation that made the sweet gray +eyes of the widow fill often with sudden tears. To part with any of +her treasures was torture to her. However, we none of us know what +lies in store for us, and nothing was farther from the hearts of the +children and their parents than the thought of change on this glorious +night of mid-June. + +The moment Mr Lennox and his five girls entered the great hall, which +was so marked a feature of the beautiful Garden, they saw a letter, +addressed to The Hon. George Lennox, lying on a table not far from the +ingle-nook. Mr Lennox's first impulse was to put the letter aside, but +all the little girls clustered round him and begged of him to open it +at once. They all gathered round him as they spoke, and being +exceeding fond of his daughters, he could not resist their appeal. +After all, the unexpected letter might mean less than nothing. In any +case, it must be read sometime. + +'Oh, Daddy Dumps, do--_do_ read the letter!' cried Hollyhock, the +handsomest and most daring of the girls. 'We 're just mad to hear what +the braw laddie says. Open the letter, daddy mine, and set our minds +at rest.' + +'The letter may not be written by any laddie, Hollyhock,' said her +father in his gentle, exceedingly dignified way. + +'If it's from a woman, we'd best burn it,' said Hollyhock, who had a +holy contempt for members of her own sex. + +'Oh! but fie, prickly Holly,' said her father. 'You know that I allow +no lady to be spoken against in my house.' + +'Well, read the letter, daddy--read it!' exclaimed Jasmine. 'We want, +anyhow, to know what it contains.' + +'I seem to recall the writing,' said Lennox, as he seated himself in an +easy-chair. 'You _will_ have it, my dears,' he continued; 'but you may +not like it after I have read it. However, here goes!' + +The children gathered round their father, who slowly and carefully +unfolded the sheet of paper and read as follows: + + +'MY DEAR GEORGE,--It is my intention to arrive at the Garden to-morrow, +and I hope, as your dear wife's half-sister, to get a hearty welcome. +I have a great scheme in my head, which I am certain you will approve +of, and which will be exceedingly good for your funny little +daughters'---- + + +'I do not like that,' interrupted Hollyhock. 'I am not a funny little +daughter.' + +'Dearest,' said her father, kissing her between her black brows, 'we +must forgive Aunt Agnes. She doesn't know us, you see.' + +'No; and we don't want to know her,' said Jasmine. 'We are very happy +as we are. We are desperately happy; aren't we, Rose; aren't we, +Delphy?' + +'Yes, of course, of course,' echoed their father; 'but all the same, +children, your aunt must come. She is, remember, your dear mother's +sister.' + +'Did you ever meet her, daddy?' asked Jasmine. + +'Yes, years ago, when Delphy was a baby.' + +'What was she like, daddy?' + +'She wasn't like any of you, my precious Flowers.' + +The five little girls gave a profound sigh. + +'Will she stay long, daddy?' asked Gentian. + +'I sincerely trust not,' said the Honourable George Lennox. + +'Then _that's_ all right. We don't mind _very_ much now,' said +Hollyhock; and she began to dance wildly about the room. + +'You will have to behave, Hollyhock,' said her father with a smile. + +Hollyhock drew herself up to her full height; her black eyes gleamed +and glowed; her lips parted in a funny, yet naughty, smile. Her hair +seemed so full of electricity that it stood out in wonderful rays all +over her head. + +'And why should I behave well _now_, daddy mine?' she asked. + +'Oh, because of Aunt Agnes.' + +'Catch me,' said Hollyhock.--'Who is with me in this matter, girls? +Are you, Delphy? Are you, Jasmine? Are you, Gentian? Are you, Rose +of the Garden?' + +'We 're every one of us with you,' exclaimed Jasmine, snuggling up to +her father as she spoke. 'Daddy,' she continued, 'I want to ask you a +question. Even if it hurts you, I must ask it. Was our own, _ownest_ +mother the least like Aunt Agnes?' + +'As the east is from the west, so were those two sisters apart,' he +said. + +'Then _that's_ all right,' said Hollyhock. 'I'm happy now. I couldn't +have endured being rude to a woman who was like my mother, but as it +is'---- + +'You mustn't be rude to her, Hollyhock.' + +'We 'll see,' said Hollyhock. 'Leave her to me. I think I'll manage +her. Perhaps she's a good old sort--there's no saying. But she and +her _scheme_--daring to come and disturb us and _our_ scheme! I like +that--I really do. Good-night, dad; I'm off to bed. I 've had a very +happy day, and I suppose happy days end. Anyway, old darling, we'll +always have you on our side, sha'n't we?' + +'That you will, my darlings,' said Lennox. + +'What fun it will be to talk to the Precious Stones about Aunt Agnes!' +said Hollyhock. 'Flowers are soft things; at least _some_ flowers are. +But stones! they can _strike_--and ours are so big and so strong.' + +'Whatever happens, girls,' said their father, 'we must be polite to +your step-aunt, Agnes Delacour.' + +'Oh, she's only a "step," poor thing,' said Hollyhock. 'No wonder they +were as the east is from the west. Now good-night, daddy. Don't fret. +I wish with all my heart we could go back to the Precious Stones +to-night and prepare them for battle. They ought to be prepared, +oughtn't they?' + +'Well, you can't go to see them to-night, Hollyhock; and to-morrow, +early, we shall be very busy getting the room ready for Aunt Agnes, for +she _is_ my half-sister-in-law, and she did her best to bring up your +dearest mother. But I may as well say a few words to you, dear girls, +before we part for the night.' + +'What is that, dad?' asked Gentian. + +'I wonder whether you remember what your real names are.' + +'The names that were given us at the font?' said Jasmine. + +'Yes; your baptismal names--your real names.' + +'I 'll say them off fast enough,' said Jasmine. 'There's Jasmine, +that's me; there 's Gentian, meaning the little gray-eyed girl in the +corner; there's Rose, who always will be and can be nothing but Rose; +there's Hollyhock; there's Delphinium. Delphinium is hard to say, but +Delphy is quite easy.' + +'And I suppose you think,' said their father in his half-humorous, +half-serious voice, 'that you were really baptised by those names?' + +'Why, of course, Dumpy Dad!' cried Hollyhock. + +'Well, I must undeceive you, my dear Flower Girls. Your mother and I +took a notion to have you baptised by certain names and called by +others. Jasmine is really Lucy; Gentian is Margaret; Hollyhock, your +real name is Jacqueline; Rose of the Garden is, however, _really_ Rose; +and Delphinium was baptised Dorothy.' + +'Well, that is wonderful!' exclaimed Hollyhock. 'I must write down the +names before they escape my memory. Give me a bit of paper and a +pencil, Daddy Dumps, that I may write down at once our true church +names.' + +'Here you are, Hollyhock,' said Lennox; 'and do not forget that in the +eyes of your step-aunt you are five little girls, not flowers.' + +'In the eyes of the old horror,' whispered Hollyhock, who felt much +excited at the change in the names. + +'I wonder now,' said Gentian when Hollyhock's task was finished, and +she passed her scribble to her father to see--'I wonder whether there +is a similar mistake in the names of our cousins--or _brothers_, as +they really are to us.' + +'Yes, they are like brothers to you, my dears; and your aunt Cecilia +was so taken by the notion of the flower names for you that she must +needs copy my wife and me, and so it happens that Jasper is really +John, Sapphire is Robert, Garnet is Wallace, called after his gallant +father, Major Constable'---- + +'"Scots wha hae wi' Wallace bled,"' sang Hollyhock in her rich, clear +voice. 'Aweel, I love him better than ever, the bonnie lad with his +black eyes.' + +'Children,' said Lennox, 'it is high time for you all to go to bed. We +must get through the boys' names as fast as possible. Opal's real name +is Andrew.' + +'Poor lad,' continued Hollyhock, 'fit servant to Wallace.' + +'And,' added Mr Lennox, 'Emerald's baptismal name is Ronald. That is +all--five Flower Girls, five Precious Stones, first cousins and the +best of friends, even as sisters and brothers. But my Flower Girls +must be off to bed without a single moment's further delay. +Good-night.' + +'"Scots wha hae,"' sang Hollyhock, as she danced lightly up the stairs +of the big house. 'I guess, Flowers, that we are about to have a right +_grand_ time.' + +'Never mind that now,' said Jasmine. 'Whatever happens, the Precious +Stones will help us.' + +'That's true,' cried Hollyhock. 'Talk to me of fear! I fear nought, +nor nobody. The lads, I'm thinking, will be coming to _me_ to help +them, if there's fear walking around.' + +She looked so bold and bright and daring as she spoke that the other +Flower Girls believed her at that moment. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +AUNT AGNES DELACOUR + +Miss Delacour was an elderly woman with somewhat coarse gray hair. She +was not old, but elderly. She had a very broad figure, plump and +well-proportioned. Miss Delacour thought little about so trivial a +thing as fashion, or mere dress in any shape or form. She was fond of +saying that she was as the Almighty made her, and that clothes were +nothing but a snare of the flesh. + +Agnes Delacour was exceedingly well off, but she lived in a very small +house in Chelsea, and gave of her abundance to those whom she called +'the Lord's poor.' Her charities were many and wide-spread, and on +that account she was highly esteemed by numbers of people, either very +poor or struggling, in that upper class which needs help so much, and +gets it so little. To these people Agnes Delacour gave freely, saving +many young people from utter ruin by her timely aid, and drawing down +on her devoted head the blessings of their fathers and mothers, who +spoke of her as one of the Lord's saints. Nevertheless those who knew +Miss Delacour really well did _not_ love her. She was too cold, too +masterful, for their taste, and these folks would rather live in great +difficulties than accept her bounty. + +After the death of her young half-sister, Lucy Cameron, who had +married, against Miss Delacour's desire, the Hon. George Lennox, Miss +Delacour took no notice whatsoever of the five sweet little daughters +her half-sister had brought into the world. Miss Delacour left the +broken-hearted widower and his little girls to their sorrow, not even +answering the letters which for a short time the children, by their +father's desire, wrote to their mother's half-sister, so that +by-and-by, as they grew older, most of them forgot that they had an +aunt Agnes. Lucy Lennox was as unlike her half-sister as it was +possible for two sisters to be. In the first place, Agnes, compared +with Lucy, was old, being many years her senior; in the second, Agnes +was singularly plain, whereas Lucy was very lovely. She was far more +than lovely; she was endowed with a wonderful charm which drew the +hearts of all people, men and women alike, who saw her. Her beautiful +dark eyes, her rosy cheeks, with their rare dimples, her gay laughter, +her glorious voice in singing, her pretty way of talking French, almost +like one born to the graceful tongue, the way she devoted herself to +her husband first, next to her sweet girls, the whole appearance of her +radiant face, and her conduct on each and every occasion, made her a +favourite with all who knew her. + +Alas! she was gone; for Lucy Lennox was one of those not destined to +live long in this world. She died just after the birth of her youngest +child, and Lennox felt that now his one duty was to do all in his power +for the precious Flowers she had left behind her. + +There were three great and spacious houses in the Upper Glen. One, we +have seen, was occupied by Mr Lennox, one by his sister, Mrs Constable; +but between The Paddock and The Garden was a house so large, so +magnificent, so richly dowered with all the beauties of nature, that it +more nearly resembled a palace than an ordinary house. This great +mansion belonged to the Duke of Ardshiel, and was called the Palace of +the Kings, for the simple reason that its noble owner was looked upon +as a king in those parts. Further, King James the First of England and +Sixth of Scotland had passed some time there, and 'Bonnie Prince +Charlie' had taken refuge at Ardshiel in the time of his wanderings. +The great castle belonged to the Duke, who had many other places of +residence, but who had never gone near the Palace of the Kings since a +terrible tragedy took place there, about twenty years before the +opening of this story. + +A kinswoman and ward of Ardshiel's, a charming girl of the name of +Viola Cameron, had fallen madly in love with a gallant member of the +great clan of Douglas, and the Duke somewhat unwillingly gave his +consent to the marriage on condition that Lord Alasdair Douglas should +add Cameron to his own name. Lord Alasdair agreed, for great was his +love for Viola Cameron. The Duke was now well pleased. He could not +but see what a fine fellow Lord Alasdair was, and accordingly he gave +the Palace of the Kings to the young pair, and had the whole house and +grounds put into perfect order, all at his own expense. The fair young +Viola Cameron and the brave Lord Alasdair were to be married on a +certain day early in December. All went merry as a marriage bell. +But, alas! tragedy was at the door, and early on the wedding morn Lord +Alasdair was found cold and dead in the deep lake which formed such a +feature of the property. How he died no one could tell; but die he did +with life so fair and bright before him, and the girl he loved putting +on her wedding clothes for the happy ceremony. There was no apparent +reason for his death, for he passionately loved the Lady Viola, and was +willing to give up his own proud name for her dear sake. + +Viola Cameron mourned frantically for her lover for some time, and +refused to go near the Palace of the Kings; but after a time she +returned to London society, and eventually married a rich manufacturer, +nearly double her age and far beneath her in station. + +The Duke, who, on her marriage with Lord Alasdair, was about to settle +a fortune upon her, now abandoned all such intentions, and Ardshiel +became his once more. Nor would he ever again allow himself to speak +of or talk to the Lady Viola. She was now beneath his notice. + +The Lady Viola passes completely out of this story. The Palace of the +Kings had lain empty and deserted for over twenty long years, and Miss +Delacour knew this fact and intended to act accordingly. After making +full inquiries she paid the old Duke a visit, taking with her a certain +Mrs Macintyre. Mrs Macintyre was one of those women whom all men +respect, if they do not love. She had lost both husband and children. +She was of high birth and equally good education. She was now, +however, in sore want, and Miss Delacour thought she saw a way of +helping her and also adding to the lustre of her own name as a great +philanthropist. Miss Delacour did most of the talking, and Mrs +Macintyre all the sad, gentle smiles. In short, they won over the old +Duke, and Miss Delacour arranged that she should call upon Lucy's +husband in order to propound her scheme. + +The little girls and the boys had time to meet before Miss Delacour's +arrival. Although that lady was well off, she would not take a +motor-car from Edinburgh to the Upper Glen. She believed that her +brother-in-law had a motor-car, and thought it the height of +selfishness on his part that he did not send it to town to meet her. +But she had her pride, as she expressed it, and in consequence did not +arrive at The Garden till about four o'clock in the day, having given +the young Constables and the young Lennoxes time to have a very eager +chat together, whilst Mrs Constable and Lennox himself had a serious +conversation, in which they unanimously expressed the wish that Agnes +Delacour would take her departure as soon as possible. + +Miss Delacour arrived on the scene in a very bad temper. She was met +by Lennox with his beautiful smile and courtly manner. He welcomed her +kindly, and gave her his arm to enter the great central hall. Miss +Delacour sniffed as she went in. She sniffed more audibly as her +small, closely set brown eyes encountered the fixed gaze of five little +girls, who, to judge from their manners, were all antagonistic to her. + +'Come and speak to your aunt, my dears,' she said.--'George,' she +continued, 'I should be glad of some tea.' + +'It isn't time for tea yet,' said Hollyhock, but I 'll amuse you. +Would you like to see a girl somersaulting up and down the hall? It's +a _grand_ place for that sort of exercise, and I can teach you if you +like. You _are_ a bit old, but I've seen older. You just have to let +yourself go--spread yourself, so to speak--put your hands on the floor +and then over you go, over and over. Oh, it's _grand_ sport; we often +do it.' + +'Then you might do better,' said Miss Delacour, speaking in a very +stern voice. 'I haven't quite caught your name, child, but you have +evidently not learned respect for your elders.' + +'My name is Hollyhock. I 'm a Scots lass frae the heather. Eh, but +there's no air like the air o' the heather! Did you ever get a bit of +it, all white? Yes, _there's_ luck for you.' + +'Do you mean seriously to tell me, George,' said Miss Delacour, 'that +you have called that child Hollyhock--that impertinent, rude child, +Hollyhock?' + +'Well, yes, he has, bless his heart!' said Hollyhock, going up to her +father and fondling his head. 'Isn't he a bit of a sort of a thing +that you 'd love? Eh, but he's a _grand_ man. He isn't afflicted with +bad looks, Aunt Agnes.' + +'Send that child out of the room, George,' said Aunt Agnes. + +'I refuse to stir,' was Hollyhock's response. + +'George, is it true that you have insulted my dead sister's memory by +calling one of her offspring by such an awful name as Hollyhock?' + +'I have not insulted my wife's memory, Agnes. I took a fancy to call +my little girls after flowers. This is Jasmine--real name Lucy, after +my lost darling. This is Gentian--real name Margaret. This is +Rose--also Rose of the Garden, queen of all flowers. Hollyhock's +baptismal name is Jacqueline; and Delphinium, my youngest'--his voice +shook a little--'is Dorothy.' + +'The one for whom your wife laid down her life,' said Miss Delacour. +'Well, to be sure, I always knew that men were bad, but I did _not_ +think they were fools as well.--Understand, you five girls, that while +I am here--and I shall probably stay for a long time--you will be Lucy, +Margaret, Jacqueline, Rose, and Dorothy to me. I don't care what your +silly father calls you.' + +'He's not silly,' said Hollyhock. 'He's the best of old ducksy dumps; +and if you don't want to learn somersaulting, perhaps you 'd like a +hand-to-hand fight. _I'm_ quite ready;' and Hollyhock stamped up to +the good lady with clenched fists and angry, black eyes. + +'Oh, preserve me from this little terror of a girl!' said Miss +Delacour. 'I perceive that the Divine Providence has sent me here just +in time.' + +'You haven't met the _Precious Stones_ yet,' said Hollyhock. 'Flowers +are a bit soft, except roses, which have thorns; but when you meet +Jasper and Sapphire and Garnet and Opal and Emerald, I can tell you you +'ll have to mind your p's and q's. _They_ won't stand any nonsense; +they won't endure any silly speeches, but they 'll just go for you +hammer and tongs. They 're boys, every one of them--and--and--we 're +expecting them any minute.' + +'Jacqueline, you must behave yourself,' said her father. 'You 're +trying your aunt very much indeed.--Jasmine, or, rather, my sweet Lucy, +will you take your aunt to her bedroom, and order the tea to be got +ready a little earlier than usual in the hall to-day?' + +Jasmine, otherwise Lucy, obeyed her father's command at a glance, and +the old lady and the young girl went up the low broad stairs side by +side. Miss Delacour gasped once or twice. + +'What a terrible creature your sister is!' she remarked. + +'Oh no, she's not really; she only wants her bit of fun.' + +'But to be rude to an elderly lady!' continued Miss Delacour. + +'She did not mean it for rudeness. She just wanted you to enjoy +yourself. You see, we are accustomed to a great deal of freedom, and +there _never_ was a man like daddy, and we are so happy with him.' + +'Lucy--your name is Lucy, isn't it?' + +'I am called Jasmine, but my name is Lucy,' said the girl, with a sigh. + +'That was your mother's name,' continued Miss Agnes. 'You remind me of +her a little, without having her great beauty. You are a plain child, +Lucy, but you ought to be thankful, seeing that such is the will of the +Almighty.' + +'Jasper says I am exceedingly handsome,' replied Lucy. + +'Oh, that awful boy! What a man your father must be to allow such +talk!' + +'Please, please, auntie, don't speak against him. He's an angel, if +ever there was one. I want to make you happy, auntie; but if you speak +against father, I greatly fear I can't. Please, for the sake of my +mother, be nice to father.' + +'I mean to be nice to every one, child. I have come here for the +purpose. You certainly have a look of your mother. You have got her +eyes, for instance.' + +'Oh yes, her eyes and her chin and the roses in the cheeks,' said +Jasmine. 'Father calls me the comfort of his life. No one ever, ever +said I was ugly before, Aunt Agnes.' + +'I perceive that you are an exceedingly vain little girl; but that will +be soon knocked out of you.' + +'How?' asked Jasmine. + +'When my dear friend, Mrs Macintyre, starts her noble school.' + +'School!' said Jasmine, turning a little pale. 'But father says he +will never allow any of us to go to school.' + +'He will do what _I_ wish in this matter. Dear, dear, what a dreary +room, so large, and only half-furnished! No wonder poor Lucy died +here. She was a timid little thing. She probably died in the very bed +that you are putting me into--so thoughtless--so unkind.' + +'It isn't thoughtless or unkind, Aunt Agnes, for father sleeps in the +bed where mother died, and in the room where she died. But now I hear +the boys all arriving. The water in this jug is nice and hot, and here +are fresh towels, and Magsie'---- + +'Who is Magsie?' + +'She's a maid; if you ring that bell just there, she 'll come to you, +and unpack your trunks. By the way, what a lot of trunks you have +brought, Aunt Agnes! I thought you were only coming for a couple of +days.' + +'Polite, I must say,' remarked Miss Delacour. + +'We all thought it,' remarked Jasmine, 'for, you see, you would not +come to darling mother's funeral--that _did_ hurt father so awfully.' + +'I could not get away. I was helping the sick. It was a case of +cataract,' said Miss Delacour. 'I had to hold her hand while the +operation went on, otherwise she might have been blind for life. Would +you take away a living, breathing person's sight because of senseless +clay?' + +Jasmine marched out of the room. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +AUNT AGNES'S WAY. + +If there was a person with a determined will, with a heart set upon +certain actions which must and _should_ be carried out, that was the +elderly lady known as Agnes Delacour. She never went back on her word. +She never relaxed in her charities. She herself lived in a small house +in Chelsea, and, being a rich woman, could thereby spend large sums on +the poor and the needy. She was a wise woman in her generation, and +never gave help when help was not needed. No begging letters appealed +to her, no pretended woes took her in; but the real sufferers in life! +these she attended to, these she helped, these she comforted. Her +universal plan was to get the sorrowful and the poor in a very great +measure to help themselves. She had no idea of encouraging what she +called idleness. Thrift was her motto. If a person needed money, that +person must work for it. Agnes would help her to work, but she +certainly would not have anything whatsoever to do with those whom she +called the _wasters_ of life. + +In consequence, Agnes Delacour did a vast amount of good. She never by +any chance gave injudiciously. Her present protegee was Mrs Macintyre. +Mrs Macintyre was the sort of woman to whom the heart of Agnes Delacour +went out in a great wave of pity. In the first place, she was Scots, +and Miss Delacour loved the Scots. In the next place, she was very +proud, and would not eat the bread of charity. Mrs Macintyre was a +highly educated woman. She had lost both husband and children, and was +therefore stranded on the shores of life. There was little or no hope +for her, unless her friend Agnes took her up. Now, therefore, was the +time for Agnes Delacour to attack that strange being, her +brother-in-law, whom she had neglected so long. + +She hardly knew his sister, Cecilia Constable, but she meant to become +acquainted with her soon, to plead for her help, and in so great a +cause to overlook the fact that this brother and this sister were a +pair of faddists. Faddists they should not remain long, if _she_ could +help it. She, Agnes Delacour, strong-minded and determined, would see +to that. The children of this most silly pair required education. Who +more suitable for the purpose than gentle, kind, clever Mrs Macintyre? +If George Lennox paid down the rent for Ardshiel, or, in other words, +for the Palace of the Kings, and if Mrs Constable put down five hundred +pounds for the redecorating of the grounds, and if the great Duke +allowed them to keep the old, magnificent furniture, which had lain +unused within those walls for over twenty years--and this he had +practically promised to do, drawn thereto by Mrs Macintyre's sweet, +pathetic smile and face--why, the deed was done, and she, Agnes, the +noble and generous, need only add a few extra hundred pounds for the +purchase of beds and school furniture. Thus the greatest school in the +whole of Scotland would be opened under wonderfully noble auspices. +Yes, all was going well, and the good woman felt better than pleased. +Her great fame would spread wider and faster than ever. She lived to +do good; she was doing good--good on a very considerable +scale--supported by the highest nobility in the land. + +Miss Delacour was not quite sure whether the school should be a mixed +school or not. She waited for circumstances to settle that point. +Mixed schools were becoming the fashion, and to a certain extent she +approved of them; but she would not give her vote in that direction +until she had a talk with her brother-in-law, and with Mrs Constable. +Ardshiel was within easy reach of Edinburgh and Glasgow, but Miss +Delacour made up her mind that the school, when established, should be +a boarding-school. The very most she would permit would be the return +of the children who lived within a convenient distance to their homes +for week-end visits. But on that point also she was by no means sure. +Providence must decide, she said softly to herself. She came, +therefore, to The Garden determined to leave the matter, as she said, +to Providence; whereas, in reality, she left it to George Lennox and +his sister, Mrs Constable. + +At any cost these people must do their parts. Be they faddists, or be +they not, their children must be saved. Could there in all the world +be a more horrible girl than Hollyhock--or, as her real name was, +Jacqueline? Even Lucy (always called Jasmine) was an impertinent +little thing; but what _could_ you expect from such a man as George +Lennox? + +Miss Delacour was, however, the sort of person who held her soul in +great patience. After Jasmine had left her she stood and looked out of +the window, observed the lake on which those silly little girls were +rowing, noticed those absurd boys who were called after precious +stones, forsooth! and made up her mind to be pleasant with Cecilia and +her family, and to say nothing of her designs to her brother-in-law +until the children had gone to bed. She presumed at least that they +went to bed early. A little creature like Dorothy ought to be in her +warm nest not later than half-past seven. Lucy and Margaret might be +permitted to sit up till nine. Afterwards she, Miss Delacour, could +have a good talk with George Lennox. She invariably spoke of him as +George Lennox, ignoring the Honourable, for she had no respect for the +semblance of a title. + +By opening her window very wide, she was able to get a distant glimpse +of the much-neglected Palace. She observed, with approval, the vast +size of the house, the abundance of trees, the glass-houses, the +hothouses, the remains of ancient splendour. Then she looked at the +lake, which shone and gleamed in all its summer glory; but she turned +her thoughts from the sad history of that lake. She was not a woman to +romance over things. She was a woman to go straight forward in a +matter-of-fact, downright fashion. + +Happening to meet one of the girls at an hour between tea and dinner, +she inquired at what time their father dined. + +'We all dine at half-past seven,' replied Hollyhock. + +'You _all_ dine at half-past seven? How old are you, Jacqueline?' + +'Nearly thirteen, Auntie Agnes,' replied the girl, tossing her black +mane of lovely, thick hair. + +'And do you mean to tell me that little Dorothy, who cannot be more +than eight or nine years old, takes her last heavy meal at half-past +seven in the evening? Such folly is really past believing.' + +'Auntie, you must believe it, for wee Delphy always dines with the rest +of us. And why shouldn't she?' + +'Now, my dear child, as to your father's strange conduct, it is not my +place to speak of it before his unhappy and ill-bred child, but I have +one request to make. It is this--that you do not again in my presence +call your sister by that sickening name.' + +'But, auntie, _we_ think it a very lovely name. We like our flower +names so much. Auntie, I do wish that you'd go. We were so happy +without you, auntie. Do go and leave us in peace.' + +'You certainly are the most impertinent little girl I ever met in my +life; but times, thank the good God, are changing.' + +'Are they? How, may I ask?' inquired Hollyhock. + +'That I am not going to tell you quite yet, but changing they are.' + +'And I say they are _not_,' repeated Hollyhock with great zeal. + +'Oh! what a bad, wicked little girl you are! What an awful trial to my +poor brother-in-law!' + +'And I say I 'm not. I say that I 'm the joy of his life, the poor +dear! Auntie, you 'd best not try me too far.' + +'May God grant me patience,' muttered Miss Delacour under her breath. + +She went upstairs to the room where her sister had not died, and made +up her mind that as, of course, this wild family would not know +anything whatsoever of dressing for dinner, she need not trouble to +change her clothes. That being the case, she need not ring for the +objectionable young person called Magsie. 'Such a name for a maid!' +thought Miss Delacour. 'I'll just wear my old brown dress; it will +save the dresses which I have to keep for proper occasions in London. +Dear, dear, what an _awful_ house this is!' + +She sank into a chair, saying to herself how much, how very much, Mrs +Macintyre would have to thank her for by-and-by! She looked at the +watch she wore in a leather wristlet, and decided that she might rest +for at least a quarter of an hour. She was really tired as well as +appalled at the state of things at The Garden. Presently, however, +seated in her easy-chair--and a very easy and comfortable chair it +was--she observed that all her trunks had been unpacked; not only +unpacked, but removed bodily from the large apartment. She felt a +sense of anger. That girl, Magsie, had taken a liberty in unpacking +her trunks. She should not have done so without asking permission. It +is true that she herself had left the keys of the said trunks on her +dressing-table, for most maids did unpack for her, but that was no +excuse for such a creature as Magsie. + +Just then there came a tap at her door. She was beginning to feel +drowsy and comfortable, and said, in a cross voice, for she preened +herself on her French, '_Entrez!_' + +Magsie had never heard '_Entrez_' before, but concluded that it was the +strange woman's way of saying, 'Come in.' She accordingly entered, +carrying a large brass can of boiling water. + +'It has come to the bile, miss,' remarked Magsie, as she entered the +room, 'but ye can cool it down wi' cold water.' + +'Thank you. You can leave it,' said Miss Delacour. + +'What dress would ye be likin' to array yerself in?' asked Magsie. + +'I'm not going to dress for dinner.' + +'Not goin' to dress for dinner! But the master, he dresses like most +people i' the evenin', and the young leddies and gentlemen and Mrs +Constable, they sit down at the table--ah, weel! as them as is +accustomed to respec' their station in life. I was thinkin', miss, +that your purple gown, which I have put away in the big cupboard, might +do for to-night. Ye 're a well-formed woman, miss--out in the back, +out in the front--and I jalouse all your bones are covered. It 'll +look queer your not dressin'--more particular when every one else does.' + +'I never heard of anything quite so ridiculous,' said Miss Delacour; +'but as those silly children are going to dress, I suppose I had better +put on the gown which I call my thistle gown. The thistle is the +emblem of Scotland. I suppose you know that, Margaret?' + +'No me,' said Margaret. 'It's an ugly, prickly thing, is a thistle.' + +'Well, you have learnt something from me to-night. You ought to be +very glad when I instruct you, Margaret.' + +'I 'd rather be called Magsie,' returned Margaret. + +'I intend to call you just what I please.' + +'Very weel, miss; but may I make bold to ask which _is_ the thistle +gown?' + +'It is a rich, white silk, patterned over with thistles of the natural +colour of the emblem of Scotland. Open the wardrobe and I shall show +it to you. But you took a liberty when you unpacked my clothes without +asking my permission, Margaret.' + +'Leeberty--did I? I thocht ye'd be pleased, bein' an auld leddy, no +less; but catch me doin' it again. Ay, but this thistle gown is gran', +to be sure.' + +'Can you dress hair?' inquired Miss Delacour. + +'Naething special,' was Magsie's answer. 'Is it a wig ye wear or no? +It looks gey unnatural, sae I tak' it to be a wig; but if it's yer ain +hair, I beg yer humble pardon. There's nae harm dune in makin' the +remark.' + +'You are a very impertinent girl; but as my dress happens to fasten +behind, and the people in this house are all foolish, I suppose I had +better get you to help me. No, my hair is my own. You must make it +look as well as you can. Do you understand back-combing?' + +'Lawk a mercy, ma'am! I never heard tell o' such a thing; and speakin' +o' my master and his family as fules is beyond a'. However, Miss +Jasmine, the darlin', she comes to me and she says in her coaxin' way, +"Mak' the auld leddy comfy, Magsie;" and I 'd risk mony a danger to +please Miss Jasmine.' + +'There isn't any Miss Jasmine. Her name is Lucy.' + +'Ah, weel, ma'am, ca' the bonnie lass what ye like. Now stand up and +let me at ye. That's the gown. My word! thae thistles are fine. +Hoots! ye needna mind wearin' that gown, auld as ye be. The thistle +'ll do its part.' + +'I do wish, girl, you'd atop talking,' said Miss Delacour, and Magsie +of the black hair and black eyes and glowing complexion glanced at her +new mistress and thought it prudent to obey. + +She did manage to arrange Miss Delacour's hair 'brawly,' as she called +it, for, as it proved, she had a real talent for hairdressing, and the +good lady inwardly resolved to train this ignorant Margaret for the +school. + +She went downstairs presently in her thistle dress. The five little +girls were clad very simply all in white. The five boys wore Eton +jackets, and looked what they were, most gentlemanly young fellows. +Mrs Constable, in a pale shade of gray, was altogether charming; and +nothing could excel the courteous manners of George Lennox. + +Every one was inclined to be kind to the stranger, and as it was the +stranger's intention to make a good impression on account of her +scheme, she led the conversation at dinner, ignoring the ten children, +and devoting herself to her brother-in-law and Mrs Constable. + +When Miss Delacour was not present there were always wild games, not to +say romps, after dinner, but she seemed in some extraordinary way to +put an extinguisher on the candle of their fun. So deeply was this +manifest that Mrs Constable went back to The Paddock with her five boys +shortly after dinner; and Mr Lennox, seeing that he must make the best +of things, gave a hint to Jasmine that they had better leave him alone +with their mother's half-sister. + +The boys had groaned audibly at this ending of their evening's fun. +Hollyhock looked defiant and even wicked; but when daddy whispered to +her, 'The sooner she lets out her scheme, the sooner I can get rid of +her,' the little girls ran upstairs hand-in-hand, all of them singing +at the top of their voices: + + And fare thee weel, my only Luve, + And fare thee weel a while! + And I will come again, my Luve, + Tho' it were ten thousand mile.' + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE PALACE OF THE KINGS. + +Miss Agnes Delacour was the last person to let the grass grow under her +feet. She, as she expressed it to herself, 'cornered' her +brother-in-law as soon as the five little girls tripped off to bed. +There was nothing, she said inwardly, like taking the bull by the +horns. Accordingly she attacked that ferocious beast in the form of +quiet, courteous Mr Lennox with her usual energy. + +'George,' she said, 'you are angry with your poor sister.' + +'Oh, not at all,' he replied. 'Pray take a seat. This chair I can +recommend as most comfortable.' + +Miss Agnes accepted the chair, but pursued her own course of reasoning. + +'You 're angry,' she continued, 'because I did not go to poor Lucy's +funeral.' + +'We will let that matter drop,' said Lennox, his very refined face +turning slightly pale. + +'But, my dear brother, we must _not_ let it drop. It is my duty to +protest, and to defend myself. There was a woman with cataract.' + +'Dear Agnes, I know that story so well. I am glad the woman recovered +her sight.' + +'Then you are a good Christian man, George, and we are friends once +again.' + +'We were never anything else,' said Lennox. + +'That being the case,' continued Miss Delacour, 'you will of course +listen to the object of my mission here.' + +'I will listen, Agnes; but I do not say that I shall either comprehend +or take an interest in your so-called _mission_.' + +'Ah, narrow, narrow man,' said Miss Delacour, shaking her plump finger +playfully at her host as she spoke. + +'Am I narrow? I did not know it,' replied Lennox. + +'Fearfully so. Think of the way you are bringing up your girls.' + +'What is the matter with my lasses? I think them the bonniest and the +best in the world.' + +'Poor misguided man! They are nothing of the sort.' + +'If you have come here, Agnes, to abuse Lucy's children, _and_ mine, I +would rather we dropped the subject. They have nothing to do with you. +You have never until the present moment taken the slightest notice of +them. They give _me_ intense happiness. I think, perhaps, Agnes, +seeing that we differ and have always differed in every particular, it +might be as well for you to shorten your visit to The Garden.' + +'Thank you. That is the sort of speech a child reared by you has +already made to me. She has, in fact, impertinent little thing, +already asked me when I am going.' + +'Do you allude to Hollyhock?' + +'Now, George, is it wise--is it sensible to call those children after +the flowers of the garden and the field? I assure you your manner of +bringing up your family makes me _sick_--yes, sick!' + +'Oh, don't trouble about us,' said Lennox. 'We get on uncommonly well. +They are _my_ children, you know.' + +'And Lucy's,' whispered Miss Delacour, her voice slightly shaking. + +'I am very sorry to hurt you, Agnes; but Lucy herself--dear, sweet, +precious Lucy--liked the idea of each of the children being called +after a flower; not baptismally, of course, but in their home life. +One of the very last things she said to me before she died was, "Call +the little one Delphinium." Now, have we not talked enough on this, to +me, _most_ painful subject? My Lucy and I were one in heart and deed.' + +'Alas, alas!' said Miss Delacour. 'How hard it is to get men to +understand! I knew Lucy longer than you. I brought her up; I trained +her. The good that was in her she owed to me. She has passed on--a +beautiful expression _that_--but I feel a voice within me saying--a +voice which is her voice--"Agnes, remember my children. Agnes, think +of my children. Do for them what is right. Remember their father's +great weakness."' + +'Thanks,' replied Lennox. 'That voice in your breast did not come from +Lucy.' + +Miss Delacour gave a short, sharp sigh. + +'Oh, the ignorance of men!' she exclaimed. 'Oh, the silly, false pride +of men! They think themselves the very best in the world, whereas they +are in reality a poor, very poor lot.' + +Lennox fidgeted in his chair. + +'How long will this lecture take?' he said. 'As a rule I go to bed +early, as the children and I have a swim in the lake before breakfast +each morning.' + +'How are they taught other things besides swimming?' asked Miss +Delacour. + +'Taught?' echoed Lennox. 'For their ages they are well instructed. My +sister and I manage their education between us.' + +'George, I suppose you will end by marrying again. All men in your +class and with your disposition do so.' + +'Agnes, I forbid you to speak to me on that subject again. Once for +all, poor weak man as you consider me, I put down my foot, and will not +discuss that most painful subject. Lucy is the only wife I shall ever +have. I have, thank God, my sister and my sweet girls, and I do not +want anything more. I am a widower for life. Cecilia is a widow for +life. We rejoice in the thought of meeting the dear departed in a +happier world. Now try not to pain me any more. Good-night, Agnes. +You are a little--nay, _more_ than a little--trying.' + +'I've not an idea of going to bed yet,' said Miss Delacour, 'for I have +not divulged my scheme. You have got to listen to it, George, whether +you like it or not.' + +'I suppose I have,' said George Lennox. He sat down, and made a +violent struggle to restrain his impatience. + +'I will come to the matter at once,' said Miss Delacour. 'You know, or +perhaps you do not know, how I spend my life.' + +'I do not know, Agnes. You never write, and until to-day you have +never come to The Garden.' + +'Well, I have come now with a purpose. Pray don't fidget so +dreadfully, George. It is really bad style. I am noted in London for +moving in the very best society. I see the men of culture and +refinement, who are always remarked for the stillness of their +attitudes.' + +'Are they?' said George Lennox. 'Well, I can only say I am glad I +don't live there.' + +'How Lucy _could_ have taken to you?' remarked Miss Delacour. + +'Say those words again, Agnes, and _I_ shall go to bed. There are some +recent novels on the table, and you can read then till you feel sleepy.' + +'Thanks; I am never sleepy when I have work to do. My work is charity; +my work is philanthropy. You know quite well that I am blessed by God +with considerable means. Often and often I go to the Bank of England +and stand by the Royal Exchange and see those noble words, "_The earth +is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof._" George, those words are _my_ +text. Those words exemplify my work. "The earth is the Lord's." I +therefore, George, give of my abundance to the Lord, meaning thereby +the Lord's poor. I hate the Charity Organisation Society; but when I +see a man or a woman or even a child in our rank of life struggling +with dire poverty, when, after making strict inquiries, I find out that +the poverty is real, then I help that man, woman, or child. I live, +George, in a little house in Chelsea. I keep one servant, and one +only. I do not waste money on motor-cars or gardens or antiquated +mansions like this. I give to the Lord's poor. George, I am a very +happy woman.' + +'I am glad to hear it,' said Lennox. 'Since you entered my house, I +should not have known it but for your remark.' + +'Ah, indeed, I have cause for sorrow in your ridiculous house, +surrounded by your absurd children'---- + +'Agnes!' + +'I must speak, George. I have come here for the express purpose. Dear +little Lucy wrote to me during her short married life with regard to +the Upper Glen. She wrote happily, I must confess that. She spoke of +her children as though she loved them very dearly. Would she love them +if she were alive now?' + +'Agnes!' + +'George, I say--I declare--that she would _not_ love them. Brought up +without discipline, without education; called after silly flowers; told +by their father to be rude to me, their _aunt_! How could she love +them?' + +'Agnes, I try hard not to lose my temper; but if you go on much longer +in your present vein of talk, I greatly fear that it will depart.' + +'Then let it depart,' said Miss Delacour. 'Anything to rouse the man +who is going so madly, so cruelly, to work with regard to his family. +Now then, let me see. I am ever and always one who walks straight. I +am ever and always one who has an aim in view. My present aim is to +help another. There is a dear woman--a Mrs Macintyre--true Scotch. +You will like that, George. She has been left destitute. Her husband +died; her children died. She is alone, quite alone, in the world. She +has been most highly educated, and I have taken that dear thing up. +There are in the Upper Glen three houses, or, rather, palaces, I should +call them--one where you live, one where your sister, Mrs Constable, +lives. She seems a nice, sensible sort of woman, simple in her tastes +and devoted to her sons, except for the silly names she has given them. +But both The Paddock and The Garden are small in comparison with the +middle house, which has been unoccupied since before your marriage, +George. It is a spacious and beautiful place, and my intention--my +_firm intention_, remember--is to place Mrs Macintyre there and +establish a suitable school for your girls, for other girls. Your +girls can go to her as weekly boarders. I am not yet _quite_ sure +whether I shall admit the young Constables; but I may. Mrs Macintyre +is a magnificent woman. She will secure for your children, for the +other children, for the Constables, if _I_ permit it, the best masters +and mistresses from Edinburgh. You have a motor-car, have you not?' + +'Yes.' + +'You did not send it to meet your sister.' + +'I did not.' + +'Polite, I must say; but I forgive your bad manners. I proceed in the +true Christian spirit with my scheme. The middle house in the Upper +Glen belongs, as you know well, to the great Duke of Ardshiel. It is +sometimes called Ardshiel, but more often by the title The Palace of +the Kings. Since the sad tragedy which took place there, it has stood +empty, the Duke having many other country seats and avoiding this noble +mansion because of its associations. Well, George, you know all that +story; but when Mrs Macintyre came to me in her distress and poverty I +immediately thought of Ardshiel. I thought of it as the very place in +which to start a flourishing school, of which your girls could take +full advantage. + +'Accompanied by dear Mrs Macintyre, I went to see his Grace. I was +surprisingly successful in my interview. The Duke was quite charmed +with my suggestion. He was much taken also with Mrs Macintyre. In +short, he agreed to let the Palace of the Kings to my friend. I do not +think he will ask a high rent for the lovely place, and, from a very +broad hint he threw out, I expect he will give us the present +magnificent furniture. You will be expected to pay the rent--a mere +trifle. Your sister, if I admit a mixed school, will be asked to +subscribe five hundred pounds for the rearranging of the grounds. The +Duke will put the Palace into full repair, and with our united +aid--for, of course, I shall not keep back my mite--we shall have the +most flourishing school in Scotland opened and filled with pupils by +the middle of September. In fact, I consider the scheme settled. +There will be a large and flourishing school in your midst, for his +Grace would only do things in first-rate style. Now I consider the +matter accomplished. The school will be opened in September, and as I +really cannot stand any more of your fidgeting--such shocking style!--I +will wish you good-night. Of course, not a word of _thanks_ on your +part. I overlook all _those_ little politenesses. The righteous look +for their reward on _High_! Good-night, good-night! No arguments +to-night, pray. I do not wish to listen to your objections to-night. +You will naturally have them, but they will be overcome. Mrs Macintyre +is a pearl amongst women. Good-night, George; good-night.' + +Miss Delacour left the room. George Lennox did not go to bed that +night until very late. + +'Well,' he said to himself at last, 'I did not know I could be snubbed +by any one; but that woman, she drives me wild. However, I will call +my own children by the names I wish, and will _not_ assist her with her +school. _I_ to pay the rent, forsooth! I to send my darlings to +school, when I long ago made up my mind that they should never go to +one. Dear Cecilia to be robbed of five hundred pounds and that _pearl +of a woman_ established in our midst. Not quite, Agnes Delacour! We +of the Upper Glen resist. How I wish Hollyhock had been here to-night +when the woman attacked me! No wonder my Lucy could not abide her. +However, I am the master of my own money, and the father of my own +children. I must talk with Cecilia early to-morrow morning, or Agnes +will be at her. Dear Cecil, she would starve herself and her boys to +help any one, but she shall certainly get my views.' + +Alas, however, his optimism proved ill-founded, and it so happened that +Miss Delacour paid a very early call indeed on the following morning at +The Paddock, for she slept well and woke early, whereas the Honourable +George Lennox slept badly and awoke late. + +Mrs Constable was rather amazed at so early a visit from her brother's +sister-in-law. The boys rushed in, yelling the news. She was just +pouring out milk for her collection of Precious Stones when the +unabashed lady entered the spacious dining-room. + +'Ah, upon my word, a nice house!' said Miss Delacour. 'How cheerful +you make everything look, dear! As sister women we can appreciate the +little niceties of life, can we not?' + +'Yes, of course,' said Mrs Constable in her pleasant manner and with +her pretty, bright look. 'But what a long walk to take before +breakfast, Miss Delacour!' + +'I have come on behalf of my brother-in-law.' + +'Is George ill?' inquired Mrs Constable. + +Miss Delacour put her finger to her lip. Then she significantly +touched her brow. Going up to Mrs Constable, she begged to have a +special talk with her all alone. Mrs Constable had thought the woman +in the thistle gown very queer the night before, and the boys had +frankly detested her; but when that admirable philanthropist went up +and dropped a word into her ear she turned a little pale, and facing +her sons, said, 'Laddies, you had best go into the back dining-room and +sup your porridge. Run, laddies; run.' + +The boys gave their mother an adoring glance, scowled ferociously at +Miss Delacour, and left the room. Over their coffee, hot rolls, and +marmalade, Miss Delacour propounded her scheme--her great, her +wonderful scheme. + +It is well to be first in the field, and Miss Delacour could speak with +eloquence. She was a real philanthropist, and she appealed to the kind +heart of Mrs Constable. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +THE EARLY BIRD. + +There is, after all, nothing like being first in the field. The old +proverb of the early bird that catches the worm is correct. Miss +Delacour knew her ground. Miss Delacour had gauged her woman, and +when, about eleven o'clock that day, George Lennox walked across to The +Paddock, hoping to obtain the sympathy which he had never before been +refused by his sister, he was much amazed to find that Mrs Constable +was altogether on the other side. + +'What has come over you, Cecilia?' he remarked. 'Is it possible that +you have already seen my sister-in-law? Do you understand the sort of +woman that she is?' + +'I have seen her more than two hours ago, George,' replied Mrs +Constable, 'and, to be frank with you, I admire her very much. There +is no one to me like you, George, but women can see things which men +cannot. It seems to me that Miss Delacour is a woman with a great +heart, and she has taken pains to propound to me a scheme which I +consider most noble. In fact, I fully agree with her in the matter. I +cannot help doing so. Our children, our dear children, George, require +by now to be taught the great things of the world. Hitherto you and I +have taught them all we could. I do not deny that, until now, our +instruction was sufficient; but a time has arrived when they all need +the broader life. I, for one, will certainly help Miss Delacour to the +extent of five hundred pounds. The Duke is quite in favour of the +Palace of the Kings being made use of for so worthy an object, and will +give us the furniture, if not for _nothing_, at least for a very +trifling sum. Miss Delacour will herself provide the extra furniture +required for a school, and I further understand that the Duke will let +the old house and grounds for a merely nominal rent, which I think you, +George, being his kinsman through your dear wife, ought to supply. +Miss Delacour has secured the services of a most efficient +head-mistress, and the school will be run on truly noble lines--on the +very best lines, or the Duke would have nothing to do with it. As I am +willing to help Miss Delacour, she will allow my dear sons, for a +longer or shorter period, to enter the school so as to prepare for Eton +by-and-by. Home education is not enough, George, and the children will +be educated for the broader world, at our very doors. They will be +allowed to return to the home nest each Saturday until early Monday +morning. What could by any means be more advantageous?' + +'Oh dear,' exclaimed Lennox, '_what_ a woman Agnes is!' + +'What a noble woman! you mean.' + +'I do not mean that, by any means. I mean that she is clever and very +rich, and philanders with philanthropy. We know nothing, for instance, +of the proposed head-mistress, Mrs Macintyre.' + +'Yes, we do, through that really excellent woman, your sister-in-law. +George, you are sadly prejudiced.' + +'Cecil, you wrong me. Was she not my Lucy's half-sister, and did not +my dearest one suffer tortures at her hands?' + +'Ah! try to forget that part of the painful past. Well do I know what +your Lucy was to you, to me, to her little girls. _Try_, my dearest +brother, to be brave, and to take to your heart the text, "Vengeance is +mine, saith the Lord," and receive Miss Delacour's magnificent scheme +with a good grace.' + +'And the loss of a considerable yearly income, to say nothing of the +far deeper pain of parting from my children. Really, Cecilia, I did +think you would show more pity to a sadly lonely man.' + +'And I, also, am a sadly lonely woman, George; but I must not think of +myself in the matter of my beloved boys.' + +'You never do, and never could, Cecil; but that woman drives me nearly +wild.' + +'Dear George, try to think more kindly of her. She spoke, oh! _so_ +kindly of you; indeed, she spoke most affectionately. I could not +believe that you were inclined to be jealous, and even stingy.' + +Lennox rose. 'If being unwilling to deprive myself of several hundreds +a year for a total stranger, as well as parting from my dear little +lasses, is stingy, then I _am_ stingy, Cecilia; but let the matter +drop. I bow to the decrees of two women. When two women put their +heads together, what chance has poor man?' + +'Oh George,' said Mrs Constable, 'since my beloved husband was killed, +whom have I had to look to but you, my dearest brother? Believe me, +this _is_ a good cause. Your children and my children _need_ to mix +with the world. Jasper must soon go to a public school, but a year in +a mixed school will do him no harm. I have been deeply puzzled of late +as to what to do with my boys' future. Then comes unexpectedly a noble +woman who opens up a plan. It seems right; it seems correct. Our +children will mix with other children. They will know the world in the +way they _must_ first know it--namely, at school; and they will be, +remember, George, within a stone's-throw of us.' + +'You don't mean to say that they are to be weekly boarders?' remarked +the stricken man. + +'I do say it. That is her determination. The school will be a very +large one, and I am going to-day to meet Miss Delacour at Ardshiel in +order to see what improvements are necessary. Oh, dear, dear old boy, +if I _could_ remove that frown from your brow!' + +'You can't, Cecilia; so don't try. I am worsted by two women, the fate +of most men. I am very unhappy. I don't pretend to be anything else. +My sister-in-law has stolen a march on me, but at least there is one +thing on which I am determined. You, of course, Cecilia, can do as you +please, but I positively _refuse_ to send a child of mine to that place +until I have first had an interview with Mrs Macintyre.' + +'And that is most sensible of you, George. I shall wire to her and ask +her to come to The Paddock to-day. I shall be so glad to put her up +and make her happy. A woman in her case, with financial difficulties, +having lost husband and children, is so deeply to be pitied. My whole +heart aches for the poor, dear thing.' + +'Cecilia, I would not know you this morning. I must go back now to my +little girls. They at least are all my own; they at least dislike the +woman who has conquered your too kind heart.' + +'George, I have faithfully promised in your name and my own to visit +Ardshiel immediately after luncheon to-day. We have to see for +ourselves that the sad home of neglect and tragedy, which will soon be +filled with young and happy life, is in all respects suited to our +purpose.' + +'Oh dear, oh dear!' said George Lennox. 'Well, if I must, I must. Two +women against one man! I suppose I may be allowed to bring Hollyhock?' + +'Best not, on the first occasion. She irritates Miss Delacour.' + +'Oh, bother Miss Delacour!' exclaimed the Honourable George, who was +now at last thoroughly out of humour. 'Well, I'll meet you at +half-past two at Ardshiel, and I hope by then I may feel a little +calmer than I do at present.' + +As soon as George Lennox had gone, Mrs Constable sent a telegram to the +bereaved and distracted Mrs Macintyre, inviting her to make a speedy +visit to The Paddock. This telegram had only to go as far as +Edinburgh, for Miss Delacour had put her friend up in a shabby room in +a back-street in that city of rare beauty. The address had been given, +however, to Mrs Constable; and Mrs Macintyre, who was feeling very +depressed, and wondering if anything could come of her friend's scheme, +replied instanter: 'Will be with you by next train.' + +Mrs Constable made all preparations for her guest's arrival. The best +spare room was got ready. The finest linen sheets, smelling of +lavender, were spread on the soft bed. The room was a lovely one, and +in every respect a contrast to any Mrs Macintyre had used of late. + +As has been said, it was the custom for the Constables and the Lennoxes +to dine and spend the evening together. This was the night for The +Paddock, and Mrs Macintyre would therefore see not only the Honourable +George Lennox, but a goodly number of her future pupils. Miss Delacour +was a woman who in the moment of victory was not inclined to show off. +Having gained Mrs Constable, she was merciful to George, and said +nothing whatever to him with regard to the school, or with regard to +the advent of Mrs Macintyre. She knew well that that really good woman +would be at The Paddock that evening, and considered her task +practically accomplished. + +George Lennox, feeling sad at heart, but still trusting to the +incapability of Mrs Macintyre to undertake so onerous a charge, went +with his sister-in-law to meet Mrs Constable at the appointed hour at +Ardshiel that afternoon. When they joined Mrs Constable at the lodge +gate, he did not hear the one lady say to the other, 'The dear thing +will be with me in time for dinner.' + +'We dine at The Paddock to-night,' whispered Miss Delacour. 'How +marvellous are the ways of Providence! I can get back to London +to-morrow. Between ourselves, dear, I hate the Upper Glen, and +heartily dislike my brother-in-law.' + +'Oh! you must not speak of my brother like that,' said Mrs Constable. +'With the exception of my dear husband, there never was a man like my +brother George.' + +'As you think so much of him, perhaps he will help you by finding +husband No. 2,' said Miss Delacour in a tone which she meant to be +playful. She chuckled over her commonplace joke, having never +succeeded herself in finding even No. 1. But Mrs Constable's gentle +and beautiful gray eyes now flashed with a sudden fire, and the colour +of amazed anger rose into her cheeks. + +'Miss Delacour, you astonish and pain me indescribably when you speak +as you have just done. Little you know of my beloved Wallace. Had you +had the good fortune to meet so noble a man, you would perceive how +impossible it is for his widow, indeed his _wife_, as I consider +myself, to marry any one else. Never speak to me on that subject +again, please, Miss Delacour.' + +Miss Delacour saw that she had gone too far, and muttered to herself, +'Dear, dear, how _huffy_ these handsome widows are! But, all the same, +I doubt not that she _will_ marry again. Time will prove. For me, I +have no patience with these silly airs. But I see I must change the +subject.' Accordingly she deftly did so, and even asked to see a +portrait of the late gallant major. This request was, however, +somewhat curtly refused. + +'Only my laddies and myself see the picture of their blessed father,' +was the reply; and Miss Delacour could not but respect Mrs Constable +all the more for her gentle and yet firm dignity. + +Meanwhile the unhappy and lonely George Lennox, hating his +sister-in-law's scheme more and more, wandered away by himself, where +he could think matters over. + +'I never _could_ have believed that Cecil would abide tittle-tattle,' +he thought; 'but that woman Agnes would contaminate any one.' + +The ladies had now reached Ardshiel. It was, of course, considerably +out of repair, but was even now lovely, with the beauty of fallen +greatness. The majesty of the spacious grounds, the reflection of the +sun on the tragic lake, the fine effect of great mountains in the +distance, were as impressive as ever. It was clear that the walks, the +lawns, the terraces, the beds of neglected flowers, the great +glass-houses, could all soon be put to rights. + +Then within that house, where the footsteps of the young bride had +never been heard, were treasures innumerable and furniture which age +could only improve. The Duke had promised, if all turned out +satisfactorily, to hand over the furniture, the magnificent glass and +china, the silver even, and fine linen and napery of all sorts, as his +present to the school; but he insisted on a small rent being paid +yearly for the lovely place, and also demanded that a certain sum be +paid for the restoration of the grounds. Mrs Constable would repair +the grounds, while her brother would surely not refuse to pay the small +rent expected by the Duke for this most noble part of his property. +Miss Delacour hoped that she would establish her friend in the school +without much loss of her own property, but she was willing to add the +necessary school furniture, meaning the beds for the children and the +correct furniture for their rooms, also the downstairs school +furniture, such as desks and so forth. She expected to get them for a +sum equal to what Mrs Constable intended to spend--namely, five hundred +pounds. In this matter she thought herself most generous, and poor +George most mean. + +While the ladies were examining the interior of the great house, the +Honourable George Lennox walked through the place alone, taking good +care to keep away from the women. He walked all the time like one in a +dream. It seemed to him as though he saw ghosts all around him, not +only the ghost of his own peerless Lucy, and the other ghost of the +poor youth who early on his wedding morning was found, cold and dead, +floating on the waters of the mighty lake. Lennox spent much of the +time in the grounds of Ardshiel, and heard, to his delight, the +wrangling voices of the two women, hoping sincerely that the scheme of +having this house of almost royalty turned into a school would be +knocked on the head; for when were women, even the best of them, long +consistent in their ideas? + +Finally, however, the ladies did leave Ardshiel, the whole scheme of +turning Ardshiel into a school for lads and lasses marked out in Miss +Delacour's active mind. The attics would do for the children's +cubicles. The next floor would be devoted to class-rooms of all sorts +and descriptions, the ground floor would form the pleasure part of the +establishment, and the servants would have a wing quite apart. The +school could certainly be opened not later than September. The place +was made for a school for the upper classes. It seemed to grow under +the eyes of the two women into a delightful resort of youth, learning, +and happiness; but Mr Lennox became more opposed to the scheme each +moment. His one hope was that Mrs Macintyre might turn out to be +_impossible_, in which case these castles in the air would topple to +the ground. + +The three parted at the gates of Ardshiel, Miss Delacour and her +brother-in-law going one way, and Mrs Constable the other. + +'You won't forget, dear,' said Mrs Constable, nodding affectionately to +her new friend, 'to be in time for dinner this evening?' + +'Oh dear! I forgot that we were to dine with you, Cecilia,' said +George Lennox. + +'Well, don't forget it, George; and bring all the sweet Flowers with +you.' + +'Naturally, I should not come without them.' His tone was almost angry. + +'What a charming--what a sweet woman Mrs Constable is!' remarked his +sister-in-law. + +Lennox was silent. + +'George,' said Agnes, 'you're sulky.' + +'Doubtless I am. Most men would be who are cajoled as I have been into +paying the rent of that horrid house. Yes, you are a clever woman, +Agnes; but I can tell you once for all that not a single one of my +Flowers of the Garden shall enter that school if I do not approve of +the head-mistress.' + +'I said you were sulky,' repeated Miss Delacour. 'A sulky man is +almost as unpleasant as a fidgety man.' + +'To tell you frankly, Agnes, I keenly dislike being played the fool +with. You saw Cecilia Constable this morning. You won her round to +your views when I was asleep.' + +'Ha, ha!' laughed Miss Delacour. 'I repeat, she is a sweet woman, and +her boys shall go to the school.' + +'I thought it was a girls' school.' + +'For her dear sake,' replied Miss Delacour, 'it will be a mixed school. +Oh, I feel happy! The Lord is directing me.' + +They arrived at The Garden, where five gloomy little girls gazed +gloomily at their aunt. + +'I do wonder when she 'll go,' whispered Hollyhock. 'Look at Dumpy +Dad; he's perfectly miserable. If she does not clear out soon, I 'll +turn her out, that I will.' + +When tea was over, the children and their father went into the spacious +grounds, rowed on the lake, and were happy once more, their peals of +merriment reaching Miss Delacour as she drew up plans in furtherance of +her scheme. + +By-and-by the children went upstairs to dress for dinner. Their dress +was very simple, sometimes white washing silk, sometimes pink silk, +equally soft, sometimes very pale-blue silk. To-night they chose to +appear in their pink dresses. + +'It will annoy the old crab,' thought Hollyhock. + +They always walked the short distance between The Garden and The +Paddock. + +Miss Delacour put on her 'thistle' gown, assisted by Magsie, who +ingratiatingly declared that she looked 'that weel ye hardly kent her.' + +'You are a good girl, Margaret,' answered Miss Delacour, 'and if I can +I will help you in life.' + +'Thank ye, my leddy; thank ye.' + +The entire family started off for The Paddock, and on arrival there, to +the amazement and indeed sickening surprise of the Honourable George +Lennox, were immediately introduced to Mrs Macintyre, who turned out to +be, to his intense disappointment, a quiet, sad, lady-like woman, tall +and slender, and without a trace of the Scots accent about her. She +was perfect as far as speech and manner were concerned. + +Mrs Macintyre, however, knew well the important part she had to play. +At dinner she sat next to Mr Lennox, and devoted herself to him with a +sort of humble devotion, speaking sadly of the school, but assuring him +that if he _could_ induce himself to entrust his beautiful little +Flower Girls to her care, she would leave no stone unturned to educate +them according to his own wishes, and to let them see as much of their +father as possible. + +Lennox began to feel that he preferred Mrs Macintyre to his +sister-in-law or even to his sister, Mrs Constable, at that moment. +The woman undoubtedly was a lady. How great, how terrible, had been +her sorrow! And then she spoke so prettily of his girls, and said that +the flower names were altogether _too charming_, and nothing would +induce her to disturb them. + +It was on the lips of Lennox to say, 'I am not going to send my girls +to your school,' but he found, as he looked into her sad dark eyes, +that he could not dash the hopes of such a woman to the ground. He was +therefore silent, and the evening passed agreeably. + +Immediately after dinner Mrs Macintyre sat at the piano and sang one +Scots song after another. She had a really exquisite voice, and when +'Robin Adair' and 'Ye Banks and Braes' and 'Annie Laurie' rang through +the old hall, the man gave himself up to the delight of listening. He +stood by her and turned the pages of music, while the two ladies, Mrs +Constable and Miss Delacour, looked on with smiling faces. Miss +Delacour knew that her cause was won, and that she might with safety +leave the precincts of the horrible Garden to-morrow. How miserable +she was in that spot! Yes, her friend's future was assured, and she +herself must go to Edinburgh and to London to secure sufficiently +aristocratic pupils for the new school. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +THE HEAD-MISTRESS. + +It was, after all, Mrs Macintyre who made the school a great success. +Her gentleness, her sweet and noble character, overcame every +prejudice, even of Mr Lennox. When she said that she thought his +children and their flower names beautiful, the heart of the good man +was won. Later in the evening, when the lively little party of +Lennoxes, accompanied, of course, by Miss Delacour, went back to The +Garden, his sister-in-law called him aside, and informed him somewhat +brusquely of the fact that she was leaving for London on the following +day. + +'Mrs Macintyre will remain behind,' she said. 'I gave her at parting +five hundred pounds. You will do your part, of course, George, unless +you are an utter fool.' + +George Lennox felt so glad at the thought of parting from Miss Delacour +that he almost forgave her for calling him a possibly utter fool; nay, +more, in his joy at her departure, he nearly, but not _quite_, kissed +his sister-in-law. + +Every attention was now paid to this good lady. At a very early hour +on the following morning the motor-car conveyed her to Edinburgh. It +seemed to the Lennoxes, children and father alike, that when Aunt Agnes +departed the birds sang a particularly delightful song, the roses in +the garden gave out their rarest perfume, the sweet-peas were a glory +to behold, the sky was more blue than it had ever been before; in +short, there was a happy man in The Garden, a happy man with five +little Flower Girls. How _could_ he ever bring himself to call his +Jasmine, Lucy; his Gentian, Margaret; his Hollyhock, Jacqueline; his +Rose of the Garden, mere Rose; and his Delphinium, Dorothy? + +'Oh, isn't it good that she's gone?' cried Jasmine. + +'Your aunt has left us, and we mustn't talk about her any more,' said +Lennox, whose relief of mind was so vast that he could not help +whistling and singing. + +'Why, Daddy Dumps, you _do_ look jolly,' said Hollyhock. + +'We are all jolly--it is a lovely day,' said Mr Lennox. + +So they had a very happy breakfast together, and joked and laughed, and +forgot Aunt Agnes and her queer ways. The only person who slightly +missed her was Magsie, on whom she had bestowed a whole sovereign, +informing her at the same time that she, Margaret, might expect good +tidings before long. + +'Whatever does she mean?' thought Magsie. 'She has plenty to say. I +didn't tak' to her at first, but pieces o' gold are no to be had every +day o' the week, and she has a generous heart, although I can see the +master is not much taken wi' her.' + +The Flower Girls and their father were rowing on the lake, when a shout +from the shore called them to stop. There stood Mrs Constable; there +stood Mrs Macintyre; there also stood in a group Jasper, Garnet, +Emerald, Sapphire, and Opal. + +'Come ashore, come ashore,' called Jasper; and the boat was quickly +pulled toward the little landing-stage. + +The ten happy children romped away together. + +'Isn't it good that she's gone?' said Hollyhock. 'Isn't she a +downright horror?' + +'But mother says she means well,' said Jasper; 'and who could be nicer +than Mrs Macintyre?' + +'I suppose not,' said Hollyhock. 'Is she going to stay with Aunt Cecil +long, Jasper?' + +'Long? Why, don't you know the news?' + +'What? Oh, do tell us!' cried Delphinium. + +'She's going to stay for ever,' said Jasper, 'except of course in the +holidays. She has taken Ardshiel, and she is going to turn it into a +great school, a great, monstrous, magnificent school; and we are _all_ +going--we, and you, and heaps more children besides; and mother is +nearly off her head with delight. Of course, as far as I am concerned, +I shall only be able to stay at such a school for one year, for I must +then go on to a public school. But Mrs Macintyre has been talking to +mother, and says she can prepare me for Eton with perfect ease in a +year from now.' + +'Oh, bother!' said Jasmine. 'We don't want other boys and girls. We +are quite happy by ourselves.' + +'But mother thinks we must mix with the world, girls; and so does Mrs +Macintyre,' continued Jasper. + +'Well, I'm not going to school, anyhow,' said Hollyhock. 'You and your +mother may go into raptures over Mrs Macintyre as much as ever you +please, but I stay at home with Dumpy Dad. Why should _he_ be left out +in the cold? He is the dearest Dump in the world, and I 'm not going +to have him slighted. You are very fond of romancing, Jasper, and I +don't believe a word of your story.' + +'All right,' said Jasper, looking with his honest, Scots face full into +the eyes of Hollyhock. 'There they are--the principals, I mean.' + +'Principals! What nonsense you do talk!' + +'I mean my mother, your father, and Mrs Macintyre.' + +'And what are they principals of?' asked the angry girl. + +'Why, the school, of course.' + +'The school? There's no school.' + +'Well, let's run and ask them. Hearing is believing, surely.' + +The ten children raced after Mrs Macintyre, Mr Lennox, and Mrs +Constable. + +'Daddy,' exclaimed Hollyhock, 'there's not going to be a school set up +near here? You are not going to send your Flower Girls to school?' + +'Wouldn't you like me to help you a little, darling?' said Mrs +Macintyre in her gentle voice. 'You look such an intelligent, pleasant +girl, and I would do all in my power for you; and although your father +and Mrs Constable are quite wonderful in educating you so far, I think +a little outside life, outside teaching, and the meeting with outside +boys and girls would be for your benefit, dear child. I do, really! I +don't think you'll oppose me, Hollyhock, when your father wishes it.' + +'Dumpy Dad, do you wish it?' + +'Well--ah, _yes_, I think it would be a good plan,' said George Lennox. + +'Then I'm done,' said Hollyhock. 'Where's Magsie? She's the only bit +of comfort left to me. Let me seek her out and put a stop to this +madness.' Hollyhock really felt very, very angry. She was not yet +under Mrs Macintyre's charm. 'Where's my brave Magsie?' she cried, and +presently she heard an answering voice. + +'Eh, but is that you, Miss Hollyhock? Why, lassie, you look pale. +Your eyes waver. I don't like ye to look so white in the complexion. +What may ye be wantin' wi' me, my lass?' + +'They are trying to whip me off to school,' said Hollyhock; 'that's +what they are after. That's what that horrid Aunt Agnes came about.' + +'Eh, but she is a fine gentlewoman,' replied Magsie. 'She gave me a +whole sovereign. What _I_ ken o' her, I ken weel, and I ken kind. Eh, +but ye 'll hae to soople your backbone, Miss Hollyhock, and think a +pickle less o' your dainty self. It 'll be guid for ye to go to that +schule.' + +'_You_ are no good at all,' cried Hollyhock. 'I 'm the most miserable +girl in the world, and I hate Mrs Macintyre.' + +'I haven't set eyes on her yet,' said Magsie. 'Suppose I go out and +tak' a squint. I can always tell when women are good or the other +thing. Why, Miss Hollyhock, you look for all the world as though you +were scared by bogles; but I 'll soon see what sort the leddy is, and I +'ll bring ye word; for folks canna tak' in Magsie Dawe.' + +Hollyhock sat down, feeling very queer and stupid. She had not long to +wait before Magsie dashed into her bedroom. + +'Hoots, now, and what a fuss ye mak' o' nothing at a'! A kinder leddy +never walked. What ails her? says I. Indeed, I think ye 'll enjoy +schule, and muckle fun ye 'll hae there. Ye canna go on as ye are +goin'. Hech! I wouldna be you, stayin' at hame, for a guid deal. +It's richt for ye to gang; that's what I think, havin' seen the leddy +and glowerin' at her as I did; but not one thocht but o' love could +rise in my breast for her. I'd gie a guid deal for her to teach _me_, +that I would. I wouldna sit down and greet like a bairn.' + +Meanwhile Miss Delacour, having thoroughly propounded her scheme, +returned first to Edinburgh, where she made known her plan of the great +school, which was to be opened in September for the young sons and the +daughters of the highest gentry and nobility. She was a woman who +could speak well when she pleased. She said the terms for the school +education would be high, as was to be expected where such excellent +teaching would be given. + +She spoke of Mrs Macintyre with tears in her eyes. 'That noble woman +would win any heart,' she said. She then described her +brother-in-law's daughters, and the sons of her brother-in-law's +sister. She spoke of these ten children with enthusiasm. She spoke of +the mother of the boys with delight. She was a little sad when she +mentioned her brother-in-law. It was really necessary to save his +pretty girls. He was a man who meant well, but acted foolishly. The +school would be superb--the very first of its kind in Scotland. She +wanted English children to come to it. She wanted it for a short time +to be a mixed school, but that scheme would probably die out +eventually. Her great object at the present moment was to secure +worthy pupils for her dear friend, and to introduce the very best boys +and girls into the Palace of the Kings, one of the most beautiful homes +of the great Duke of Ardshiel. The terms for weekly pupils would +necessarily be high--namely, two hundred pounds a year; while the terms +for those boys and girls who spent all their time, excluding the +holidays, at the great school would be still higher, even as much as +two hundred and fifty pounds a year. But the education was worth the +price, for where was there another school in the whole of the United +Kingdom to compare with the Palace of the Kings? The very best +teachers from Edinburgh would come, if necessary, to the school; and +what centre so great as Edinburgh for learning? The best foreign +governesses were to be employed. An elderly tutor or two were also to +live in the house. These were to be clergymen and married men. + +Having done her work in Edinburgh, Miss Delacour proceeded to London, +and soon had the happiness of securing Master Henry de Courcy Anstel, +the Lady Leucha Villiers, the Lady Barbara Fraser, the Lady Dorothy +Fraser, the Hon. Daisy Watson, Miss Augusta Fane, Miss +Featherstonhaugh, Miss Margaret Drummond, Master Roger Carden, Master +Ivor Chetwode, Miss Mary Barton, Miss Nancy Greenfield, Miss Isabella +Macneale, and Miss Jane Calvert. There were many more to follow, but +she felt that she had done well for her friend with this number, and +that the noble old Palace was well started. + +After a few days spent first with Mrs Constable and then with Mr +Lennox, and having heard the good news from her friend Miss Delacour, +Mrs Macintyre went to London to select suitable teachers. The school +was put into the hands of the best decorators, upholsterers, and +builders. The furniture was polished; the gardens were remade; in +short, all was in readiness for that happy day in September when the +greatest private school in Scotland was to be opened, and opened with +eclat. + +The parents of the children were all invited to see the great school +the day before lessons began, and they could not help expressing their +delight with the lovely place. The gentlemanly little Constables and +the charming little Flower Girls were present, and gave a delightful +effect. Even Hollyhock condescended to go to the school on this one +occasion to see what it was like, more particularly as that horrid +Magsie was going there as one of the maids. As for the rest of the +Lennoxes, they were simply wild to go to school, and Mr Lennox was now +as keen to see them there as he had at first been opposed to the whole +idea. But he was the sort of man who would force none of his children, +and if Hollyhock preferred to stay at home with him--why, she might. +He rather suspected that she would soon come round. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE OPENING OF THE GREAT SCHOOL. + +The parents of the pupils were more than delighted at the thought of +their children being educated in such a home of beauty and romance. + +Now Ardshiel, by means of Miss Delacour and Mrs Macintyre, had been +very much spoken of before the opening day. Those English girls and +boys who were to go there, and the girls and boys from Edinburgh, were +all wild with delight; and, in truth, it would be difficult to find a +more lovely place than that which Ardshiel had been turned into. The +story of the drowned man and the deep lake and the mourning bride was +carefully buried in oblivion. Magsie of course knew the story, but +Magsie wisely kept these things to herself; and even Mrs Macintyre, the +mistress of the school, had not been told the story. + +On a Monday in the middle of September Ardshiel looked gay of the gay. +The sun shone with great brilliancy. The French mesdemoiselles, the +Swiss fraeuleins, and the gentle Italian signorinas were all present. +In addition there were English mistresses and some teachers who had +taken high degrees at Edinburgh University. Certainly the place was +charming. The trees which hung over the tranquil lake, the lovely +walks where girls and boys alike could pace up and down, the +tennis-courts, the hockey-field, the football-ground reserved for the +boys, and the lacrosse-field designed for both girls and boys, gave +promise of intense enjoyment; and when the guests sat down to +lunch--such a lunch as only Mrs Macintyre could prepare--they felt that +they were indeed happy in having secured such a home for the education +and delight of their darlings. + +Hollyhock and her sisters sat in a little group at one side of the long +table, and a lady, the mother of Master Roger Carden, spoke to +Hollyhock, congratulating her on her rare good luck in going to such a +school. + +'I'm not going to this stupid old Palace,' said Hollyhock. + +'Why, my dear, are you not going? Besides, I thought the name of the +place was Ardshiel.' + +'Oh, they re-called it,' replied Hollyhock, tossing her mane of black +hair from her head. 'Anyhow, one name is as good as another, I 'm +going to stay with my Dumpy Dad.' + +'Who is "Dumpy Dad"?' asked Lady Jane Carden. + +'Don't you dare to call him by that name,' said the indignant +Hollyhock. 'He's my father; he's the Honourable George Lennox. I'm +not going to leave him for any Ardshiel that was ever made.' + +'What a pity!' said Lady Jane. 'My boy Roger will be so disappointed. +He 's coming to the school, you know.' + +'Is he? I don't think much of boys coming to girls' schools.' + +'I'm afraid, my dear little girl,' said Lady Jane, 'that you yourself +want school more than most. You don't know how to behave to a lady.' + +'I know how to behave to Dumpy Dad, and that's all I care about.' + +Nothing further was said to Hollyhock, but she noticed that Lady Jane +Carden was speaking to another friend of hers, and glancing at +Hollyhock with scant approval as she did so. It seemed to Hollyhock +that she was saying, 'That's not at all a nice or polite little girl.' + +Hollyhock was vexed, because she had a great pride, and did not wish +even insignificant people like Lady Jane Carden to speak against her. + +The great inspection of the school came to an end, and the children +were to assemble there as soon as possible on the morrow. Mrs +Macintyre, however, declared that there would be no lessons until the +following day. This greatly delighted the four Flower Girls and the +five Precious Stones, and they all started off in the highest spirits +to their new school next morning. Oh, was it not fun, glorious fun, to +go to Ardshiel and yet be close to mummy and daddy all the time? Their +father had specially forbidden his Flower Girls to make any remarks to +Hollyhock about her not going with the others to school. + +'Leave her alone, children, and she 'll come round,' was his remark. +'Do the reverse, and we'll have trouble with her.' + +As soon as the children had departed to Ardshiel, Hollyhock and her +father found themselves alone. She looked wildly round her for a +minute; then she dashed into the pine-wood, flung herself on the ground +among the pine-needles, and gave vent to a few choking sobs. Oh, why +was she so fearfully lonely; why was this horrid Ardshiel invented; why +were her sisters taken from her, and her brothers, as she called the +Precious Stones? Of course she still had Dumpy Dad, and he was a host +in himself. She brushed violently away some fast-flowing tears, and +then dashed into the hall. As a rule the hall was a very lively place. +If it was at all cold weather there was a great fire in the ingle-nook, +and a girl was sure to be found in the hall playing on the grand piano +or on the beautiful organ, or singing in her sweet voice; but now all +was deadly silence. Even the dogs, Curfew and Tocsin, were nowhere to +be seen. There was no Magsie to talk to. Magsie had gone over to the +enemy. + +Hollyhock ran up to her own room, for each Flower Girl had a room to +herself in the great house. She brushed back her jet-black hair; she +tidied her little blouse as well as she could, and even tied a crimson +ribbon on one side of her hair; and then, feeling that she looked at +least a little bewitching, and that Ardshiel mattered nothing at all to +her, and that if her sisters chose to be fools--well, let them be +fools, she flew down to her father's study. + +Now this was the hour when George Lennox devoted himself, as a rule, to +his accounts; this was the hour when, formerly, Mrs Constable came over +to fetch the children for their lessons. But there was no sign of Mrs +Constable coming to-day, and Dumpy Dad only raised his head, glanced at +his miserable child, and said sharply, 'I can't be interrupted now, +Hollyhock. You'd better go out and play in the garden.' + +'But I 've no one to play with,' said Hollyhock. + +'You must leave me, my dear child. I shall be particularly busy for +the next couple of hours. In the afternoon we can go for a ride +together. It's rather cold to row on the lake to-day. Now go, +Hollyhock. You are interrupting me.' + +'Dumpy Dad!' faltered Hollyhock, her usually happy voice quavering with +sadness. + +Lennox took not the slightest notice, but went on with his accounts. + +'This is unbearable,' thought Hollyhock. 'If dad chooses to spend his +mornings over horrid arithmetic instead of looking after me, when I 've +given up so much for his sake, I'll just run away, that I will; but as +to going to Ardshiel, to be crowed over by Magsie, catch _me_!' + +Hollyhock pulled the crimson bow out of her dark hair, let the said +hair blow wildly in the breeze, stuck on her oldest and shabbiest hat, +which she knew well did not become her in the least, and went to The +Paddock. She was quite longing to do her usual lessons with Aunt +Cecil. In order to reach The Paddock she had, however, to pass +Ardshiel, and the shrieks of laughter and merriment that reached her as +she hurried by were anything but agreeable to her ears. + +'Jasmine _might_ have more feeling,' thought the angry girl. 'Gentian +might think of her poor lonely sister. Delphinium ought by rights to +be sobbing instead of laughing. We were always such friends; but +there, if this goes on, Scotland won't see much more of me. I used to +be all for the bonnie Highlands, but I 'm not that any more. I 'll go +to cold London and take a place as kitchen-maid. I won't be treated as +though I were a nobody, I 'll earn my own bread, I will, and then +perhaps Dump will be sorry. To do so much for a man, and for that man +to absorb himself in arithmetic, is more than a girl can stand.' + +Hollyhock reached The Paddock between eleven and twelve o'clock. She +marched in boldly to see Mrs Constable employed over some needlework, +which she was doing in a very perfect manner. + +'I thought you were coming to teach me this morning, Aunt Cecilia,' +said the girl in a tone of reproach. + +Mrs Constable raised her soft gray eyes. 'My dear child,' she said, +'didn't you know that your father and I are not going to teach you any +more? All the teaching in this place will be at Ardshiel.' + +'Then how am I to learn?' said Hollyhock, in a tone of frightened +amazement. + +'Naturally,' replied Mrs Constable, 'by going to Ardshiel.' + +'Never!' replied the angry girl. 'I 'm not wanted. I can make my own +plans. Good-bye. I _hate_ every one.' + +Hollyhock made a dash toward the door, but Mrs Constable called her +back. + +'Won't you help me with this needlework, dear? I should enjoy your +company. I miss my Precious Stones so much.' + +'Fudge!' replied Hollyhock. 'I 'm not going to comfort you for your +Precious Stones. Great boobies, I call them, going to a mixed school.' + +She dashed away from The Paddock. Again, on her way home, Hollyhock +was entertained by the sounds of mirth at Ardshiel. On this occasion a +number of girls were playing tennis, and her own sisters, Jasmine and +Gentian, blew rapturous kisses to her. This seemed to the unhappy +child to be the last straw. + +'Who is that girl?' asked Ivor Chetwode. + +'She _is_ my sister,' replied Jasmine. + +'Your sister! Then whyever doesn't she come to this splendid school?' + +'Oh, we 'll get her yet, Ivor.' + +'We must,' said Ivor. 'I can see by her face that she 'll be no end of +fun.' + +'Fun!' replied Jasmine. 'She 's the very life of The Garden.' + +'The Garden? What do you mean by The Garden?' + +'That's where we happen to live,' replied Jasmine. + +'You are not a weekly pupil, are you, Ivor?' + +'No, alas! I 'm not. My home's too far away.' + +'Well,' said Jasmine, 'I 'll beg Mrs Macintyre to let me invite you to +dine with us at The Garden on Sunday.' + +'But will your sister scowl at me, the same as when you kissed hands to +her just now?' asked Ivor. + +'Oh no; but you must be very polite to her. You must try to coax her +in your manly way to become a pupil at the school.' + +'Well, I 'll do my best,' said Ivor Chetwode. 'She is certainly +handsome, but she has a scowl that I don't like.' + +'Well, try not to speak against her, Ivor. Remember she is my sister.' + +'I am awfully sorry, Jasmine, and I do think you 're a ripping kind of +girl.' + +Hollyhock sat down to the midday meal at The Garden in exceedingly low +spirits, but her father had now got through what she called his +arithmetic, and was full of mirth. He ate heartily and laughed +heartily, and said in his most cheery voice, 'Well, my pet Hollyhock, +you and your Dumpy Dad must make the best of each other.' + +'Oh Dumps, do you _want_ me to stay with you?' + +'Why not? What do you think?' + +'Dumpy, I've had a miserable morning.' + +'I 'm sorry for that, my little Flower; but it need not happen again. +You ought not to be unhappy. You 'll have holidays always from now +onwards.' + +'Oh daddy, am I never to learn anything more?' + +'Well, I don't exactly know how you can. The teaching goes on at +Ardshiel, and as you naturally wish to stay with your father, and as I +naturally wish to keep you, and as the expense of sending my other +Flowers to such a costly school is very great, I have undertaken some +estate work, which must occupy a good deal of my time. Your aunt, too, +dear woman, has secured a post as kindergarten teacher at the great +school. Therefore, my little Hollyhock will have holidays for ever. +She will be our little dunce. Think how jolly that will be!' + +Hollyhock felt a dreadful lump in her throat. She managed, however, to +eat, and she struggled hard to hide her great chagrin. + +'For the rest of the afternoon I am entirely at your service, my +child,' said Mr Lennox. 'I think it is just precisely the day for a +good long ride on Lightning Speed and Ardshiel. There's a fine, +bright, fresh air about, and it will put roses into your bonnie cheeks. +Get on your habit and we 'll go for a long ride.' + +This was better; this was reviving. The horses were led out by the +groom. Hollyhock, who could ride splendidly, was soon seated on the +back of her glorious Arab, Lightning Speed. Her father looked +magnificent beside her on Ardshiel, and away they started riding fast +across country. + +They returned home after an hour or two with ravenous appetites, to +find that Duncan, the old serving-man, had lit a great fire of logs in +the hall, and that Tocsin and Curfew were in their usual places, +enjoying the blaze. + +Hollyhock tossed off her little cap and sat down to enjoy tea and +scones to her heart's delight. She now felt that she had done right +not to go to Ardshiel. Her voice rang with merriment, and her father +joined her in her mirth. + +But when tea came to an end Lord Ian Douglas, the gentleman of vast +estates whom Mr Lennox was to help as agent, appeared on the scene, and +Hollyhock was forgotten. She was introduced to Lord Ian, who gave her +a very distant bow, and began immediately to talk to his new agent +about crops and manures, turnips, cattle, pigs, all sorts of impossible +and disgusting subjects, according to the angry little Hollyhock. + +Lord Ian did not go away for some hours, and when at last he departed +it was time to dress for dinner. But how Hollyhock did miss the +Precious Stones and The Garden girls! How dull, how gloomy, was the +house! She tried in vain to eat her dinner with appetite, but she saw +that her father looked full of preoccupation, that he hardly regarded +her; in fact, the one and only speech that he made to her was this: +'Douglas is a good sort, and he has given me a vast lot to do. It will +help to pay for the Flowers' education; but I greatly fear, my +Hollyhock, that you will be a great deal alone. In fact, the whole of +to-morrow I have to spend at Dundree, Lord Ian's place. I wish I could +take you with me, my darling; but that is impossible, and I must leave +you now, for I have to look over certain accounts which Lord Ian +brought with him. This is a very lucky stroke of business for me. +Your Dumpy Dad can do a great deal for his Flower Girls by means of +Lord Ian.' + +'I hate the man!' burst from Hollyhock's lips. + +If her father heard, he took no notice. He calmly left the room. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +HOLLYHOCK LEFT IN THE COLD. + +The fire burned brightly in the ingle-nook, and the dogs, Tocsin and +Curfew, slept in perfect peace in close proximity to its grateful heat; +but Hollyhock was alone--utterly alone. She felt more miserable than +she had ever believed it possible to be in her hitherto joyous life. +She drew up a chair near the hearth, and the dogs came and sniffed at +her; but what were they, compared to Jasmine, Delphinium, and the +Precious Stones? As to Dumpy Dad, she could never have believed that +he would treat his little girl in such a heartless manner. Had she not +given up all for him, and was this her reward? + +She felt a great lump in her throat, and a very fierce anger burned +within her breast. What right had Dumpy Dad and Aunt Cecilia to +forsake the only child who was true to them? The others were off and +away at their learning and their fun, perchance; but she, Hollyhock, +the faithful and the true, had remained at home when the others had +deserted it. She had been firm and decided, and here was her +reward--the reward of utter desolation. + +'Get away, Curfew,' she said, as the faithful greyhound pushed his long +nose into her hand. + +Curfew raised gentle, pleading brown eyes to her face; but being of the +sort that never retorts, he lay down again, with a sigh of +disappointment, close to Tocsin. He, too, was feeling the change, for +he was a very human dog, and missed the Flower Girls and the Precious +Stones, and the dear, dear master and Mrs Constable, just as Hollyhock +did. + +But what was the use of making a fuss? According to Curfew's creed, it +was wrong to grumble. Hollyhock did not want him. He lay down with +his long tail on Hollyhock's frock, and his beautiful head pressed +against Tocsin's neck. Tocsin was a magnificent bloodhound, and he was +the greatest support and comfort to Curfew at the present crisis. + +By-and-by Mr Lennox passed hurriedly through the hall. He was going +into his special library to get some books. He saw the melancholy +figure of Hollyhock seated not far from the great fire, and the +faithful dogs lying at her feet. He said in his most cheerful tone, +'Hallo, my little girl! you and the dogs do make a pretty picture; but +why don't you play the organ or sing something at the piano?' + +'You know, daddy, I have no real love for music,' said Hollyhock in a +cross voice. + +'Well, well, then, take a book, my child. Here 's a nice story I can +recommend you--_Treasure Island_, by Louis Stevenson.' + +'I hate reading,' she said. + +'Well, I'm afraid I can't help you, dear. I'm frightfully busy, and +shall not get to bed until past midnight. Taking up this new work +means a great deal, and you know, my Flower Girl, your Dumpy Dad, as +you like to call him, is the very last person in the world to do a +thing by halves. If I have to sit up till morning, I must do so in +order to be prepared for Dundree and Lord Ian to-morrow. Perhaps, +dear, you had best kiss me and say good-night.' + +'Daddy--daddy--I 'm so--miserable!' + +'Sorry, my child; but I can't see why you should be. You have all the +comforts that love and sympathy can bestow upon you.' + +'No, no; I am alone,' half sobbed Hollyhock. + +'Don't get hysterical, my child. That is really very bad for you; but, +anyhow, I 've no time to waste now over a little girl who is surrounded +by blessings.' + +'If Daddy Dumps goes on much longer in that strain I shall absolutely +begin to hate him,' thought the furious child. 'The bare idea of his +_thinking_ of talking to me as he has done.--No, Curfew, _don't_! Put +your cold nose away.' + +Curfew heaved another heavy sigh and lay closer to Tocsin, and with a +smaller portion of his tail on Hollyhock's dress. + +Now the olden custom at The Garden and The Paddock--that lovely custom +which had suddenly ceased--was music, dancing, games, fun, shrieks of +laughter from Precious Stones and Flower Girls, the hearty peal of a +man's voice when he was thoroughly enjoying himself, the gentle, +restrained merriment of a lady. This lady was Mrs Constable, who was +now going to be a kindergarten teacher, forsooth! And this man was +Dumpy Dad, who was going to be an agent, indeed! No wonder the girl +and the dogs felt lonely. The end of the happy evenings had arrived. +One evening used to be spent at The Garden, the next at The Paddock; +and then the delightful good-byes, the cheerful talk about the early +meeting on the morrow, and if it was the evening for The Paddock, the +lively and merry walk home with Daddy Dumps and the other Flower Girls. + +Oh, how things were changed! What an unbearable woman Aunt Agnes was! +What a horror was Mrs Macintyre! Had not those two between them simply +swept four of the Flower Girls out of sight, and _all_ the Precious +Stones; and, in addition, had not Dumpy Dad and Aunt Cecilia undertaken +some kind of menial work with regard to Dundree and Ardshiel? It was +solely and entirely because of Ardshiel that Dumpy Dad was going to be +an agent. It was entirely on account of Ardshiel that Aunt Cecilia was +going to stoop to be a sort of nursery-governess. Well and cleverly +had those wicked women, Aunt Agnes and Mrs Macintyre, laid their plans. +'But the plans o' the de'il never prosper,' thought Hollyhock. +'They'll come to their senses yet; but meanwhile what am _I_ to do? +How ever am I to stand this awful loneliness?' Hollyhock was not a +specially clever child. She was passionate, fierce, and loving; but +she was also rebellious and very determined. There was a great deal in +her which might make her a fine woman by-and-by; but, on the other +hand, there was much in her which showed that she could be, and might +be, utterly ruined. + +Suddenly a wild and naughty idea entered her brain. Nothing, not all +the coaxing, not all the petting, not all the language in all the +world, would get her to go to Ardshiel as a pupil; but might she not go +there now, and peep in at the windows and see for herself what was +going on, what awful process was transforming the Flower Girls and the +Precious Stones into other and different beings? + +Her father had said good-night to her, but it was still quite +early--between eight and nine o'clock. The Ardshielites, those wicked +ones, would still be up. She would have time to go there, to look in +and see for herself what was going on. + +She was the sort of girl who did nothing by halves. The servants had +no occasion to come into the hall again that night. Ah yes, here was +Duncan; she had better say something to him in order to lull his +suspicions. + +The old man came in and began to close the shutters. 'Don't ye sit up +ower long, Miss Hollyhock. Ye must be feelin' a bit dowy without the +ithers, bless them.' + +'No, I don't, Duncan,' replied Hollyhock. 'But, all the same, I 'd +best go to bed, I expect.' + +'Weel, that 's exactly what I 'm thinkin',' said the old man. 'Ye 'll +gang to your rest and have a fine sleep. That's what a body wants when +she's eaten up wi' loneliness. I ken fine that ye are missin' the +ithers, lassie.' + +'I'm not missing them a bit,' replied Hollyhock. 'As if I could miss +_traitors_.' + +'Come, come, noo; don't be talkin' that way.' Here Duncan shut the +great shutters with a bang. 'Why should a young maid talk so ignorant? +Ye 'll be a' richt yet, lassie; but there, ye 're lonesome, my bonnie +dearie.' + +'Suppose, now, you had been me, Duncan, what would you have done?' said +Hollyhock suddenly. + +'Why, gone to Ardshiel, of course.' + +'Duncan, I hate you. You 're another traitor.' + +'No, I'm no,' said Duncan; 'but I ken what's richt, and I ken what's +wrang, and when a little lass chooses betwixt and between, why, I says +to myself, says I, "Halt a wee, and the cantie lass'll come round," +says I. Shall I take the dogs or no, Miss Hollyhock?' + +'Yes, take them; I don't want them,' said Hollyhock. + +'The poor maister, he's that loaded wi' work.-- Come away, doggies; +come away.-- Guid-nicht to ye, missie; guid-nicht. Bed's the richt +place for ye. I 'm sorry that Magsie 's no here to cuddle ye a bit.' + +'Thanks; I'm glad she's gone. I hate her,' said Hollyhock. + +'Ay,' said the old man, coming close to the child and looking into her +eyes. 'Isn't it a wee bit o' the de'il ye hae in ye the nicht, wi' +your talkin' o' hatin' them that luves ye!--Come, doggies; come. My +poor beasties, ye 'll want your rest; and there's no place like bed for +missie hersel'.' + +'You 'd best go to your own bed, too, Duncan,' called Hollyhock after +him. 'You are a very impertinent old man, and getting past your work.' + +'Past my work, am I, now? Aweel, ye 'll see! Guid-nicht, miss. I +bear no malice, although I pity the poor maister.' + +Duncan departed, taking the greyhound and the bloodhound with him. As +soon as she was quite sure that he had gone, and silence, deep and +complete, had fallen on the house, Hollyhock took down an old cloak +from where it hung in a certain part of the hall, and wrapping it +firmly round her shoulders, went out into the night. It was better out +of doors--less suffocating, less lonely--and the girl's terribly low +spirits began to rise. She was in for an adventure, and what Scots +lassie did not love an adventure? + +So she crept stealthily down the avenue, slipped through the smaller of +the gates, and presently found herself on the highroad. It was still +comparatively early, and certainly neither Lennox nor old Duncan missed +her. Duncan thought she was in bed; Lennox was too absorbed in his +heavy work to give his naughty little girl a thought. She had chosen +to stay behind. It was very troublesome and awkward of her, but he was +confident that her rebellious spirit would not last long. Accordingly +Hollyhock went the short distance which divided Ardshiel from The +Garden, entered by the great iron gates, and walked up the stately +avenue toward the beautiful mansion, where her own sisters were +traitorously and wickedly enjoying themselves. + +'But let them wait until lessons begin,' thought Hollyhock; 'let them +wait until that woman puts the birch on to them; then perhaps they 'll +see who's right--I, the faithful, noble girl, who would not desert her +father, or they, who have just gone off to Ardshiel for a bit of +excitement.' + +Ardshiel really looked remarkably pretty as Hollyhock drew near. It +was illuminated by electric light from attic to cellar, and there was +such a buzz of young voices, such an eager amount of talk, such peals +of happy, childish laughter, that Hollyhock was led thereby in the +right direction, and could peep into a very large room which was +arranged as a vast playroom on the ground floor, and where all the +children at present at Ardshiel were clustered together. + +Hollyhock, wearing her dark cloak, looked in. The blinds had not yet +been pulled down, and one window was partly open. She therefore saw a +sight which caused her heart to ache with furious jealousy. Her own +sister Jasmine was talking to a girl whom she addressed as Barbara. +Her own sister Rose of the Garden was chatting bravely with a girl whom +she addressed as Augusta. Hollyhock could not help observing that both +Barbara and Augusta were particularly nice-looking girls, with fair +English faces and refined English voices. All the children were +dressed for the evening. + +'So _affected_ at a school,' thought Hollyhock; 'but the birch-rod +woman will be on them soon, if I 'm not mistaken.' + +There was, however, a boy present who specially drew her attention and +even forced her admiration. He was a remarkably handsome boy, and his +name was Ivor. What his surname was Hollyhock could not guess. She +only knew that she had never seen such beautiful blue eyes before; and +such a manner, too, he had--almost like a man. Why, Jasper, Garnet, +Sapphire, Opal, and Emerald could not touch him even for a moment--that +is, as far as appearance and ways went. + +While she gazed in at the window, who should come up to this boy but +her own sister Gentian! She took the boy by the arm and said, 'Now +let's sit in a circle and think out our charade for Monday night.' + +Ivor gave a smile. He looked with admiration at Gentian, whom +Hollyhock always considered very plain. Instantly chairs were drawn +into a circle, and an excited conversation began. + +The birch-rod woman was a long time in appearing! Hollyhock's black +eyes were fixed on the blue eyes of Ivor. It would certainly _not_ be +unpleasant to talk to a boy of that sort; but he seemed quite devoted +to Gentian--poor, plain, little Gentian--while she, Hollyhock, the +beauty of the family, was standing out in the cold; and it _was_ cold +on that September night, with a touch of frost just breathing through +the air. Hollyhock felt herself shiver; then, all of a sudden, her +patience gave way. Those children should not be so happy, while she +was so wretched. She got behind the window where no one could see her, +and shouted in a loud, cracked voice, which she assumed for the +purpose, 'Oh! the ghost! the ghost!' + +She then rushed down the avenue, fearing to be caught and discovered. +She ran so fast that her long cloak tripped her, and she suddenly fell +and cut her lip. When she came to herself she had to wipe some stains +of blood away from her injured lip with her handkerchief. + +She just reached the lodge gates in time to shout once again, 'The +ghost! the ghost!' when the woman who lived in the lodge came out, +prepared to lock up for the night. + +'Who may you be?' said the woman. + +'I'm the ghost. Let me through!' screamed Hollyhock. + +And she really looked so frightful, with her big black eyes, and +blood-stained face, and streaming lip, that the woman, who was a +stranger, and did not know her, called out, 'Get ye gone at once or +I'll set the dogs on you. The shortest road ye can go'll be the best. +Ye 're not a ghost, but a poor cracked body.' + +Hollyhock was sincerely glad to find herself once again on the +highroad, but in some mysterious way her dislike for Ardshiel had +vanished, and she felt furiously angry with Ivor Chetwode for daring to +take notice of her plain sister, Gentian. + +She got into the house without much difficulty, bathed her swollen lip, +and retired to bed to think of Ivor's blue eyes. What a nice boy he +must be!--a real bonnie lad, one _worth_ talking to. Why should a girl +be a dunce all her days, when there was such a laddie at Ardshiel? Ah, +well, she would know more about Master Ivor before long. + +She slept soundly, and forgot the troubles of her miserable day. In +her dreams she thought of the Precious Stones and Ivor, and imagined +them all fighting hard to gain the goodwill of Gentian, who was a +freckled little girl, not to be named with her, Hollyhock. If that was +the sort of thing that went on at Ardshiel, and the birch-woman did +_not_ appear, it must be rather a nice place, when all was said and +done. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE WOMAN WHO INTERFERED. + +There is nothing in its way more difficult than to start a new school; +and Mrs Macintyre, with all her vast experience--for she had been +mistress of more than one of the celebrated houses at Cheltenham +College in the time of the great and noble Miss Beale, and had in fact, +until her marriage, been a teacher--knew well what special difficulties +she had before her, more particularly in a mixed school. There was no +reason, however, why such schools should not exist, and do well. But +she knew they had a fight before them, and that conflict lay in her +path. She did not, however, know that this conflict was to take place +so soon. + +Mrs Macintyre was a good deal surprised by what followed Hollyhock's +stolen visit to Ardshiel. The children--boys and girls alike--were now +hard at work at their daily tasks. The first day passed splendidly. +The Precious Stones became extremely great friends with Roger Carden, +Ivor Chetwode, and Henry Anstel. There were also some other boys whose +parents were negotiating to send their sons to Mrs Macintyre, for the +fame of her school and the beauty of its surroundings were much talked +of, and the idea of a mixed school highly pleased some people, while it +equally annoyed others. + +It was on the first Saturday morning, when the Precious Stones and the +Flower Girls were to return home, that Mrs Macintyre was informed by +one of her servants (Magsie, no less) that a lady, a Mrs Maclure, had +called, and was waiting to see her in the white drawing-room. Mrs +Macintyre's husband had been Scots, and she herself was Scots. She +therefore knew many of the Edinburgh people, and had drawn upon this +knowledge in getting pupils for her school. She wondered if Mrs +Maclure was a certain Jane Scott whom she knew in her youth, and who +had married a Dr Maclure. She felt not a little surprise at this visit +at so early and important an hour. + +'The leddy kens ye are busy, but will not keep you long,' said Magsie, +who was struggling in vain to acquire an English accent. + +'I will be with her immediately,' said Mrs Macintyre, and Magsie +tripped away, her eyes very bright. She was enjoying herself +immensely. As a matter of fact she had never known real life before. + +Mrs Macintyre went at once into the drawing-room, having given +different orders to her teachers to proceed with their work, and +promising to be with them again before long. The moment she entered +the drawing-room she gave a little gasp of pleasure. + +'Why, Jane, is it indeed you?' she could not help remarking. + +'Ah, yes, Elsie, it's no other.' + +'Well, sit down, Jane, won't you?' + +'I suppose I 've come at an inconvenient time, Elsie?' + +'Well, I do happen to be busy.' + +I can't help that, my dear,' said Mrs Maclure. 'The business that +hurries me to your side is too urgent and important to brook a moment's +delay.' + +'Dear me, what can be wrong?' said Mrs Macintyre. + +'I'm told that you keep a mixed school.' + +'Yes, I do. I have a few small boys here.' + +'Shocking!' said Mrs Maclure. + +'What do you mean, Jane? Why shouldn't the boys be here?' + +'This is a costly place,' said Mrs Maclure, looking round her. 'The +laying out of it must have cost a deal of money.' + +'It did; but generous friends helped, and the Duke was not stingy with +his purse.' + +'I don't want to know any of the financial particulars,' continued Mrs +Maclure. 'But tell me one thing, Elsie. Do you want your school to +pay?' + +'Of course I do.' + +'Ah, I thought as much. Now, I 'll tell you what it is, Elsie. I have +come here with a scheme, and if you see your way to carry it out, why, +the school will pay, and pay again and again; but there must be no +mixing in it. I mean by that, the eggs must be in one basket and the +butter in another.' + +'You puzzle me very much, Jane.' + +'Well, I was always outspoken, my dear, and I heard of your trials, and +your noble courage, and the fact that you 'd got hold of one of the +bonniest bits of land in the whole of Scotland. Why, Ardshiel could be +full over and over again if it wasn't mixed. But mixed it must not be.' + +'I 'm very sorry to displease you, Jane,' said Mrs Macintyre; 'but the +thing cannot be altered now. I have, after all, at the present moment +only got eight boys in my school, although others will probably arrive. +I cannot turn those dear little fellows out.' + +'Well, then, the girls must go.' + +'No; I mean to keep my girls.' + +'Elsie, you were always obstinacy personified. You've got a good +school in a lovely spot, within easy reach of Glasgow and Edinburgh, +and also capable of receiving children from different parts of England. +The establishment is in working order. Now pray tell me how many you +have got in the school?' + +Mrs Macintyre said, 'Reckoning the boys first, I have got eight, as I +said; but I have had letters this morning from several parents who wish +to send their sons to my school.' + +'Well, we 'll say eight boys,' said Mrs Maclure. 'I suppose they are +quite babies?' + +'Not at all. Jasper is fifteen. He is the eldest boy in the school, +but will only stay for a year, as he has been very well taught by his +gifted mother and by Mr Lennox, the father of my sweet little Flower +Girls, as I call them.' + +'Elsie, you are becoming sadly romantic. It runs in the blood. You +must be careful. Fancy a big boy of fifteen in a girls' school.' + +'He's a gentleman and my right hand,' said Mrs Macintyre. + +'That has nothing whatsoever to do with it. He's fifteen, and ought to +be in a public school.' + +'He wants a year's training before he can go to Eton. He is a +singularly gifted lad, and is the life of the house.' + +'He must be the life of some other house. Now, then, for the girls. +How many of them have you got?' + +'To begin with, I've got Lucy, Margaret, Rose, and Dorothy Lennox; +their father is the Honourable George Lennox, who lives in a house +called The Garden close by.' + +'Well, go on. I suppose you have more girls than that. That makes +four. Now proceed with the rest.' + +'Well, there's Lady Leucha Villiers.' + +'You don't say so!' + +'I do, my friend. Her mother, the Countess of Crossways, has entrusted +her to my care.' + +'You amaze me!' + +'Perhaps I shall amaze you further. I have also got the Ladies Barbara +and Dorothy Fraser, daughters of the Marquis of Killin.' + +'You astound me!' + +'Then I have the Honourable Daisy Watson. In addition I have Miss +Augusta Fane, Miss Agnes Featherstonhaugh'---- + +'Good name that,' muttered Mrs Maclure. + +'Miss Margaret Drummond.' + +'I know them well--Scots to the backbone,' said Mrs Maclure. + +'Miss Mary Barton,' continued Mrs Macintyre, 'Miss Nancy Greenfield, +Miss Isabella Macneale, Miss Jane Calvert.' + +'Now let 's count how many you have got in the school,' said Mrs +Maclure. 'Everything _sounds_ well, but the boys will ruin the whole +affair.' + +'Oh, nonsense, Jane. If only you were not so narrow-minded.' + +'I know the world, my dear friend, and I don't want the best school in +Scotland to be spoiled for the lack of a little care--care bestowed +upon it at the right moment. Your girls, counting the Lennoxes, make +fifteen. Altogether in the school you have therefore twenty-three +children. How many teachers, pray?' + +Mrs Macintyre was never known to be angry, but she felt almost inclined +to be so now. She mentioned the number of her tutors, her foreign +governesses, and her English teachers--the best-trained teachers from +her own beloved Cheltenham. + +'How many servants?' was Mrs Maclure's next query. + +'Really, Jane, you are keeping me from my duties; but as you have come +all the way from Edinburgh to question me so closely, I will confess +that I have got ten indoor servants; that, of course, includes the +housekeeper and a trained nurse in case of illness.' + +'Dear, dear!' exclaimed Mrs Maclure. 'Prodigious! And then, I +presume, you get special masters and mistresses from Glasgow and +Edinburgh.' + +'I certainly do. The school is a first-rate one.' + +'My poor Elsie, it won't be first-rate long. You are taking all this +enormous expense and trouble for twenty-three children. How many can +your school hold?' + +'My school could hold quite seventy pupils,' said Mrs Macintyre; 'but +you must remember that it was only opened last Tuesday. Really, I +greatly fear that I shall have to leave you, Jane. This is a +half-holiday, and I have a special class to attend to.' + +'Let your special class go. Listen to the words of wisdom. The fame +of your school has spread to Edinburgh; it has been talked about; it +has been commented on. It is for that reason, and that reason alone, +that I have come here to-day. Put the boys into an annex, and provide +them with the necessary teachers--men, of course, if possible. Keep +the girls, and I'll engage to get you ten fresh pupils from Edinburgh +early next week, twenty from London--that's thirty--and several more +from Glasgow, also Liverpool, Manchester, and different parts of +England; and when I say I _can_ engage to do this, and fill your school +to the necessary number of seventy, I speak with confidence, _for I +know_. The ladies are dying to send their lassies to you, but the +mixed school prohibits it. I have no wish or desire to stop the +co-education of girls and boys, but to have those of the upper classes +mixing in the same boarding school won't go down in this country, Elsie +Macintyre. No, it won't do. Now, let me think. You speak of five +boys from the neighbourhood--who are their parents?' + +'They are the sons of my dear friend Mrs Constable, whose husband, +Major Constable, fell in the late war in South Africa.' + +'And the eldest is fifteen?' + +Yes.' + +'Where does Mrs Constable live?' + +'A very short way from here, at a place called The Paddock.' + +'And you think well of the woman?' + +'Cecilia Constable! She is delightful. Why, the dear soul has sent +her boys to my school, and comes here herself daily to undertake +kindergarten work in order to help her to pay the expenses of her +children.' + +'Bravo!' said Mrs Maclure. 'Why, of course, she can take them all. Is +her house a good size? Has it a respectable appearance?' + +'It is a beautiful house, the home of a true lady.' + +'So much the better. The thing is as right as rain. Is she here now?' + +'Yes, and very busy.' + +'I must see her. I cannot lose this golden chance for you, Elsie. Her +own five sons, and Master Henry de Courcy Anstel, Roger Carden, and +Ivor Chetwode, shall all move to The Paddock on Monday next. She will, +of course, be the head of the house, and tutors will be provided for +the instruction of the boys. I can assure you, Elsie, that neither I +nor my friends will have the least objection to your girls and her boys +playing games together and meeting at each other's homes. And now I +think I have done you a good turn. I have saved Ardshiel from ruin, +and The Paddock, or, if you prefer it, the Annex, will hold the boys, +old or young, who may wish to go there. Please send Mrs Constable to +see me, for I must immediately communicate with my friends. Ardshiel +will be packed by this day week, if Mrs Constable proves satisfactory.' + +'Well, really, I don't know what to think,' said Mrs Macintyre. +'Perhaps you are right, and I know dear Cecilia would like to have her +boys back with her again. I 'll send her to you.' + +Nobody could look into the gentle, gray eyes of Cecilia Constable +without feeling an instinctive trust in her, which was quickly, very +quickly, to ripen into love. All those who knew her loved her, for she +was made for love and self-sacrifice. Forgetting herself, she thought +ever and always of others; and when, in her quiet, Quaker-like dress, +she entered the room, Mrs Maclure said, under her breath, 'Good +gracious, what a beautiful creature! How admirably she will manage the +Annex!' + +It was not likely that Mrs Constable had parted with her five boys with +any sense of joy, and it was not lightly that she had undertaken the +duties of kindergarten mistress at Ardshiel; but right to her was +right, and it seemed the only way to pay expenses. As Mrs Maclure +unfolded her scheme the gray eyes grew bright and the lips trembled. + +'But does Mrs Macintyre consent?' she said at last. 'Your proposal +truly amazes me; but, oh, am I worthy?' + +'I feel you _are worthy_. Mrs Macintyre was loath at first to lose the +boys, but the lads cannot stay in a mixed school. If you agree, you +have only to say the word, and your sons will return to you. But +please understand that they must look on you as their _mother, not_ as +their teacher. The Reverend James Cadell of the neighbouring parish +will come to you every morning to instruct them in Latin and Greek. I +will get other teachers for you from Mrs Macintyre's, and there is no +earthly reason for keeping the boys and the girls apart. Only I +protest that they shall not live in the same school. Why, now, there's +Alan Anderson, and there's Davie Maclure, my own first cousin. Alan +Anderson and Davie can live in the house, and Mr Cadell will come over +every morning. He 'll ride his bicycle and be with you in good time. +If you know of anything better, which I doubt, you have but to say the +word. Now, then, I have my motor-car at the door. We 'll drive right +away to The Paddock and see the rooms for the lads and teachers. Don't +you fear, my dear; I'll help you with your Annex as heartily as I'll +help Elsie Macintyre with her great school.' + +'I must go and ask Mrs Macintyre's leave,' said Mrs Constable. 'This +sounds like a wonderful and delightful dream.' + +'My only dread,' thought Mrs Maclure to herself whilst waiting for Mrs +Constable to join her, 'is that that good man, James Cadell, will lose +his heart to her. I must give her a word of warning. He is a bit +susceptible, and she's a rare and beautiful woman.' + +On their way to The Paddock Mrs Maclure did impart her fears to Mrs +Constable, but that dear lady's sweetest and gravest of eyes looked at +her so reproachfully that she felt sorry she had spoken, and only +pressed her hand. + +The Paddock was large and roomy, and all arrangements for the Annex +school could quickly be made. The boys were to be informed that they +were not going home, but to an adjacent school; only the school was to +be, for five of them, _mother's house_. Oh, was not that delightful? + +So it came about that the Annex was established, and Cecilia Constable +knelt down and thanked God most earnestly for His great mercies. Oh, +how more than happy she would be once again! Now there was only one +little black sheep to be put right. Poor, lonely, prickly Holly! She +would see to it that the child entered Ardshiel, when her boys and the +three strange boys left the Palace of the Kings. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +A MISERABLE GIRL. + +Whether or not Hollyhock took a chill on that night when she peeped in +at the gay group at Ardshiel can never be quite established, but +certain it is that when her four sisters--those beloved and yet +traitorous sisters--rushed wildly back to The Garden on the following +Saturday afternoon, they found Hollyhock lying in bed, perhaps cross, +perhaps ill; anyhow, to all appearance, quite indifferent to their +presence. + +Jasmine stood and stared at her sister in amazement. So also did +Gentian and Rose and Delphinium. What could be the matter with their +flower maid, their darling? + +On their return home they were greeted by the information that the +master was away on business, and that Miss Hollyhock was upstairs. + +'In bed, I take it,' said old Duncan. 'It seems a pity for her not to +be down to greet ye, my dearies, but I do declare I canna make out what +ails her. She's poorly, the dear lass; but she 'll no say that she's +ill.' + +'But where is father, Duncan?' asked Jasmine in a dazed sort of voice. + +'Oh, the maister! He is weel enough, but he is that taken up wi' the +work o' Lord Ian Douglas that he canna gie much time to his lonesome +child. You must get her to school, Miss Jasmine; you must get her to +school, Miss Gentian.' + +'Of course we must, Duncan,' said Jasmine; 'and, oh! it is a right +splendid school.' + +'I'm thinkin' that mysel',' said Duncan, 'for Magsie, she came ower one +nicht and declared that there was not the like o' Ardshiel in the +length and breadth o' bonnie Scotland. But dear, dear, I was like to +forget. The maister, guid man, gave me a letter which he wrote this +mornin' to you, Miss Jasmine, and you was to have it at once.' + +'Thank you, Duncan. I 'll take the letter and go at once to Hollyhock.' + +The letter in question was read by all four girls at once, and was +simply to the effect that the young Precious Stones would dine with +them on the morrow, as well as Master Ivor Chetwode. In fact, Mr +Lennox had already written a letter to Mrs Macintyre, acquainting her +with his desire. + +'Then that's all right,' said Jasmine. 'Dad did get my letter. I was +a bit surprised at his being so long in answering it. Well, we 'll go +to Hollyhock now. Poor Ivor would have been terribly disappointed if +he had been left out of The Garden treat.' + +While this conversation was taking place Hollyhock was listening +intently from her small bed. She would not for the world let the girls +think that she missed school, and the only chance of keeping up this +deception was by retiring to bed and feigning illness. Not that she +felt _quite_ well; she was altogether too lonely and miserable for +that. She had not a book to read; she had not a thing to do. The dogs +were off with their master, and she had hardly even an animal to speak +to, with the exception of the kitchen cat, which came up and lay on her +bed, until she shooed her off with quick, angry words. + +Well, Saturday had come, and the girls had come, and she must keep up +her supposed illness at any cost, or they would suspect that she was +regretting her decision. But what a time they did take havering with +old Duncan! Tiresome man, Duncan! He was nearly as tiresome as the +dogs, Tocsin and Curfew, and the kitchen cat, Jean. + +When the children burst into the room, Hollyhock looked at them out of +her black eyes with a dismal stare. + +'Here we are back again,' said Jasmine. 'Haven't you a word of welcome +for us, Holly?' + +'Why should I?' replied Hollyhock. 'I 'm suffering from a reeling +head, and can't stand any noise at all.' + +'Dear, dear!' exclaimed Gentian. + +'I don't want any of _your_ fondling,' said Hollyhock in an angry tone, +for was not Gentian the girl whom the beautiful blue-eyed boy had paid +so much attention to? + +'Whatever have _I_ done?' said Gentian in amazement. + +'Oh, I'll leave it to your conscience. I'm not going to enlighten you.' + +'Dear, dear, what _can_ the matter be?' said Delphy. + +'Don't talk so loud. Keep your school manners for your school,' said +Hollyhock. + +'Dear, deary me!' cried Jasmine in an anxious tone, 'I think we ought +to get the doctor to see her. There's Dr Maguire, and Duncan will +fetch him. He 'll soon put you right, Hollyhock.' + +'He won't, for I won't see him,' said Hollyhock. 'Don't you bring him +to this room. I suppose, if I am faithful to my own Daddy Dumps, and +my own dear home, I may at least have my own way with regard to a +doctor. I 'm not ill _exactly_, but I 'm reeling in the head, and no +one can force me to have a doctor except Daddy Dumps, and he's away +with Lord Ian at Dundree until dinner-time.' + +'All the Precious Stones are coming over for dinner,' said Rose, as +softly as she could speak. + +'Are they? I don't want them.' + +'But they are coming all the same, Hollyhock, and so is Aunt Cecilia; +and to-morrow they are coming again with that dear boy Ivor Chetwode.' + +'Oh, is that his name?' said Hollyhock. + +'How can you know anything about his name?' said Jasmine in +astonishment. + +'Ask Gentian; perhaps _she'll_ tell you,' said Hollyhock with a wicked +glance out of her black eyes at her sister's pale-gray ones. + +But Gentian shook her head in bewilderment. 'She ought to see a +doctor,' was her remark. + +'Oh yes,' cried Hollyhock; 'but though she _ought_, she _won't_; and +neither you nor that old Duncan can force me to; and I don't wish to +hear a thing about your precious school, so for goodness' sake don't +begin. You know the old proverb that new brooms sweep clean. Well, +the school is a very new one, and the brooms are very new also. I +expect you won't be in such _pretended_ raptures after another week or +two, while I, the faithful one, remain at home, to do my duty.' + +The four Flower Girls gazed in consternation at one another. They were +certainly distressed when Hollyhock refused to go to school with them, +but her behaviour on the first day of their return altogether upset +them; and as for poor little Delphy, it was with difficulty that she +could keep the tears back from her eyes. + +'There! Shoo! Get the cat out,' cried Hollyhock, as Jean was again +putting in an appearance. + +'Why, poor old darling!' exclaimed Gentian, 'she sha'n't be scolded, +that she sha'n't. I 'll take her away to my room and pet her.' + +'No, you won't; you'll do nothing of the sort. She's the only thing +that now clings to me, and I 'm not going to have _you_ sneaking round +and winning her affections.' + +'Why, you wanted her to go, Hollyhock. Really, I don't know you,' +cried Gentian. + +'I dare say you don't. You have "other fish to fry."' + +The four girls felt for the first time in their lives really angry with +their favourite sister. Hollyhock, simply to spite Gentian, called in +a coaxing tone to Jean, who now jumped on the bed and purred loudly, +while Hollyhock stroked her fur, doing it, however, very often the +wrong way, which form of endearment tries all cats, even a kitchen cat. + +'There, you see for yourselves, she 's the only one left to love me,' +said Hollyhock. 'Oh, for goodness' sake, don't rush at me with your +sham kisses! I can't abide them, or you. Get away, will you, and +leave me in peace!--Jean, poor beastie! And do you love your little +mistress? You are the only one I have got, Jean, my bonnie pussie; the +only one who, like myself, is faithful and true.' + +It was just at that moment, when Jean had sunk into placid slumber and +the Flower Girls were intending to leave the room, that there came a +gentle, very gentle, knock at the door. + +'Who can be there now?' said Hollyhock. 'Whoever it is will wake the +cat.-- There, my bonnie beastie, sleep away. Don't you know that you +and I are the two lonely ones of the family?' + +The amazed Jean cuddled up closer than ever to Hollyhock, and the next +minute the door was quietly opened by Mrs Constable. + +'Well, children,' she said, 'the boys are downstairs, so I thought you +might like to see them. I 'm very sorry to perceive that our little +Hollyhock isn't well. This is a sad blow, when one has a rare holiday +and has looked forward to it. But I want to have a talk with Hollyhock +all by myself.' + +'You won't bring me round, so don't think it,' said Hollyhock. + +But Mrs Constable, taking no notice of these words, motioned to the +other four Flower Girls to leave the room. She then proceeded to make +up the fire brightly and to straighten Hollyhock's disordered bed. + +'Now, my child, what 's wrong with you?' she said in that voice so +melting and so sweet that few could resist it. + +'Oh, Aunt Cecil, I'm so unhappy--I'm alone. I have no one to love me +now but Jean.' + +'Poor little Jean! She seems very happy,' said Mrs Constable; 'but I'm +afraid she'll make dirty marks on your white counterpane, child.' + +'As if I cared. I'd stand more than that for love.' + +'Now, Hollyhock,' replied Mrs Constable, 'I must get to the bottom of +this. You are my own dear little girl, remember, and I must find out +whether you are ill or not.' + +'Of course I 'm ill; that is, I 'm a little ill.' + +'I have a thermometer with me. I'll take your temperature,' said Mrs +Constable. + +'Auntie, I would so much rather you didn't.' + +'I 'm afraid I must, child; for if you have a temperature, I must send +for Dr Maguire.' + +'I won't see him!' + +'You need not, my child, if you have no temperature. Now, let me try; +for afterwards I have some very exciting news to tell you. None of the +other girls know it yet.' + +'Oh, auntie, you do excite me! Yes, I 'll put the little thermometer +into my mouth. I hope I sha'n't break it, though.' + +'You must be careful, Hollyhock; for were you to swallow all that +mercury, it would kill you.' + +'Oh, auntie, what dreadful things you say! Well, stick it in, and then +tell me the news that none of the others know.' + +The thermometer was inserted. Hollyhock's temperature was perfectly +normal, and she was then questioned with regard to her throat and her +health generally. In the end Aunt Cecilia pronounced the girl quite +well, and desired her to get up and dress. + +'But I--the reeling in my head,' said Hollyhock. + +'That will pass, after you have had a nice warm bath and put on one of +your pretty frocks.' + +'Oh, but, auntie, I do want to hear the news.' + +'You shall hear it after you are dressed. I don't tell exciting news +to little girls who lie in bed. The effect might be bad for them and +bring on fever.' + +'Oh, auntie, I don't want the servants to come near me.' + +'They needn't, child. I'll turn on the hot water in the bath, and then +help you to put on your prettiest dress. Why, Jasper is just pining to +see you. Now, then, no more talk. The hours are passing, and quick 's +the word.' + +'Auntie, you have a nice way of saying things.' + +'I 'm glad you think so, child.' + +'Although you are only a governess at that horrid Ardshiel.' + +Mrs Constable was silent. + +In a very short time Hollyhock had had her bath. She dressed +luxuriously by the fire in her bedroom, Aunt Cecilia brushing out her +masses of black hair and fastening it back with a large crimson bow. +Aunt Cecilia chose a very pretty dress of softest gray for the little +maid, and then, when the last touch connected with the toilet had been +given, there came a mysterious knock at the door. + +'Who can that be?' said Hollyhock, who felt discontented once again. + +'Only some one bringing a little food, dear, which I have ordered for +you. You need not see the person who brings it. I will fetch it +myself.' + +Accordingly, tea in a lovely old Queen Anne teapot, accompanied by +cream and sugar, hot buttered toast, and an egg, new laid and very +lightly boiled, was placed before Hollyhock. + +'But I haven't touched food for nearly twenty-four hours,' said the +wilful child. + +'Which accounts for the reeling in your head, my love. Now, then, set +to work and eat.' + +'But your news, auntie--your news.' + +'After you have eaten, my child--after you have finished all the +contents of this little tray, but not before.' + +Hollyhock suddenly found herself furiously hungry. She attacked the +toast and egg, and wondered at the sunshiny feeling which had crept +into her heart. + +'Now, remember that you are perfectly well, Hollyhock.' + +'Yes, auntie dear, of course.' + +'And there 'll be no more malingering.' + +'Whatever's that, Aunt Cecilia?' + +'Why, doing what you did--_pretending_ to be ill, and keeping your +family in a state of misery.' + +'I won't do it again. Now for your news.' + +'I want to make one last condition, Hollyhock.' + +'What do you mean?' + +'A lonely life does not suit you, my child. When you are forced to +have recourse to the kitchen cat, that proves the case. Now I want you +to go back to Ardshiel with the other girls on Monday.' + +'Oh, oh, _auntie_!' + +'No one wishes for you here, child, and you certainly won't get my +great piece of news unless you make me that promise. You will be as +happy as the day is long at that school.' + +'They certainly do _look_ happy,' said Hollyhock, 'and I should like to +see the boy with the blue eyes.' + +'The boy with the blue eyes'---- + +'Oh, nothing, auntie; nothing. I'll agree. The kitchen cat is poor +company. Now, then, out with your news.' + +'You shall have it, dear. God bless you, darling! You have done a +brave thing. And I cannot describe to you the joys of that lovely +school, which you have wilfully absented yourself from. Now sit quite +close to me, and listen to my news.' + +Certainly Aunt Cecilia _had_ a winning way. She was always remarkable +for that. She could fight her cause with any one--with man, woman, or +child; and she could fight it in the best possible way, by not fighting +it at all, by simply leaving the matter in the hands of Almighty Love, +by just breathing a gentle prayer for Divine guidance and then going +bravely forward. + +This plan of hers had supported her when her beloved husband was killed +in battle; when her bonnie laddies, her Precious Stones, were sent to +Mrs Macintyre's school; and would support her when, according to the +arrangement made between herself and her husband, Major Constable, the +time came for her Precious Stones to go to Eton. + +Major Constable had been an Eton boy, and he knew well the spirit of +the gallant words: + + It's not for the sake of a ribboned coat, + Or the selfish hope of a season's fame, + But his captain's hand on his shoulder smote, + Play up! play up! and play the game!' + This is the word that year by year, + While in her place the School is set, + Every one of her sons must hear, + And none that hears it dare forget. + This they all with a joyful mind + Bear through life like a torch in flame, + And, falling, fling to the host behind-- + 'Play up! play up! and play the game!' + + +Mrs Constable, as she repeated these words to Hollyhock, noticed the +flame in her cheeks and the radiance in her black glorious eyes; knew +only too well that this fearless girl would play her part--yes, to the +very letter. For one like Hollyhock there would most certainly be a +conflict, and also most assuredly a victory. She would 'play up! play +up! and play the game!' Her own heart beat as she watched the child. +Eton, that princely school, would be the first training-ground for +Major Constable's young sons; but for Hollyhock there would be both at +school and afterwards in the world the greater battlefield. Her heart +went out to the child, and she pressed her close for a moment to her +heart. Mrs Constable felt very happy to-night. She knew well that she +herself was a very efficient teacher; she was also a very persuasive +teacher, and Mrs Macintyre had eagerly agreed to her suggestion that +she should be her kindergarten mistress, thus helping Mrs Constable to +pay in part for the enormous expense of sending five boys to Ardshiel. +But, after all, this sum of money was but a drop in the ocean; and her +delight was intense, her thanksgiving to Almighty God extreme, when she +was told that she _herself_ might get her laddies back and start an +Annex School for the boys, who were really too old to be at Ardshiel. +The departure of one would mean the departure of all; and now, as she +sat by Hollyhock's side, holding her little brown hand, she had already +secured for herself quite fourteen boys, who were all to arrive at the +Annex, or the dear Paddock, as she loved to call it, on the following +Monday morning. But this apparent breaking up of Mrs Macintyre's +school had not been mentioned as yet to any of the children. Mr +Lennox, of course, knew and approved, and Hollyhock was really the +first of the Flower Girls to whom the news was broken. + +'Well, my dear,' said Mrs Constable, 'I have news for you, which I +expect will please you. What do you say to two schools in this +neighbourhood?' + +'Two schools!' said Hollyhock, looking with amazement at gentle Mrs +Constable. + +'Yes, my love, that's my news. And I 'm to be at the head of one, +though by no manner of means the teacher. That wouldn't do. But I 'm +to superintend, and guide, and influence, and what you may call +"mother." I'm getting my own brave laddies back.' + +'But'---- said Hollyhock, a startled look coming into her dark eyes. + +'Yes, my dear, and more than that. I 'm getting a boy called Henry de +Courcy Anstel from the big school; and another one, Roger Carden.' + +'Oh, oh!' said Hollyhock, turning first white and then red, 'has he +blue eyes--_has_ he blue eyes?' + +'That is more than I can tell you. The colour of the eyes does _not_ +trouble me, and they ought not to trouble a lass of your tender years. +There 's another boy called Ivor Chetwode also coming. These with my +own five make eight. In addition, I have got Andrew MacPen from +Edinburgh, and Archie MacPen, his brother, and four little orphan boys, +who are coming all the way from London. Their names are Johnnie and +Georgie and Alec and Murray. I call them orphans because their father +and mother have gone to India, and have had to leave them behind. So +on Monday my little Annex will open with fourteen boys. They'll have +the advantage of the fraeuleins and mesdemoiselles from Ardshiel to give +them lessons two or three times a week; and in addition, being manly +boys, I have made arrangements that they shall be taught by the +Reverend James Cadell and two resident tutors. So you see now for +yourself, Hollyhock, that after your insisting so often that nothing +would make you go to a mixed school, the thing has been taken out of +your hands, my love. Mrs Macintyre has a large and flourishing school +for girls, and I hope to do well with my boys. You must congratulate +me, Hollyhock.' + +'Well,' said Hollyhock haltingly, 'I--somehow--it seems hard on Mrs +Macintyre, doesn't it?' + +'Not a bit of it, dear. Why, it's the making of her school. She has +got so many applications for girlies like yourself to go to Ardshiel +that she soon will have to close her lists. Now that you have decided +to go there, Hollyhock, it will bring the number of her pupils in the +course of next week up to nearly seventy.' + +Hollyhock sat very cold and still. + +'You don't look pleased, my child, and yet you were so strong against a +mixed school.' + +'Well, yes, I was, and I am still. For that matter, I hate all +schools.' + +'But you faithfully promised me to go to Ardshiel, Hollyhock.' + +'Oh yes, I 'll keep my word. I expect I 'm a bit of a dare-devil; +there is something very wicked in me, Auntie Cecilia.' + +'I know there is, child. You need Divine guidance.' + +'I won't be lectured,' said Hollyhock, getting very cross all at once. +'Oh, auntie, those blue eyes!' and the excited, hysterical girl burst +into tears. + +'There must be something at the back of this, Hollyhock.' + +'Oh, nothing--nothing indeed.' + +'Well, I won't press for your confidence, dear. Little girls and +little boys should be friends and nothing more for long years to come; +and although I at first quite hoped that Mrs Macintyre's mixed school +would be a great success, I now see that it is best for me to have my +little corner in the Lord's vineyard alone. But don't for a moment +imagine, Hollyhock, that you girls of Ardshiel and my boys of the Annex +won't be the best of friends, meeting constantly and enjoying life and +fun together. Think of your Saturday to Monday, Hollyhock! Think of +my Precious Stones meeting you Flower Girls! Think of the old life +being brought back again!' + +'Yes, I suppose it is best,' said Hollyhock, but she heaved a sigh as +she spoke. Her sigh was mostly caused by the fact that she had given +in. She, who had made such a grand and noble stand, was going to +Ardshiel after all. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +SOFT AND LOW. + +But when Hollyhock went downstairs, dressed so charmingly and with a +rich colour in her cheeks, with the sparkle of excitement in her eyes, +and when she saw Jasper, Garnet, and the other boys, who all rushed +toward her with a cry of delight, she began to enjoy herself once more. + +Old Duncan was moving about the great hall and whistling gently to +himself. 'Soft and low, soft and low. It 's that that does it,' +whispered the old man. Then he broke out again in his cracked old +tones, 'And for bonnie Annie Laurie I wad lay me doun and dee!' + +'Duncan, you might remember that we are in the room,' said Hollyhock. + +'To be sure, lassies; and don't ye like the sound o' the grand old +tunes and words? Did ye never hear me sing "Roy's Wife o' +Aldivalloch"?' + +'No; and I don't wish to,' said Hollyhock. + +'Well,' said Duncan, who was never put out in his life, 'here are the +doggies, poor beasties, and I guess, Miss Hollyhock, you 'll be a sicht +better for a little company. I 'm reddin' up the place against the +maister's return. Ay, but we 'll hae a happy evenin'. Old times come +back again--"Should auld acquaintance be forgot"'---- + +'Duncan, you are incorrigible!' + +But Duncan deliberately winked at Jasper, then at Garnet, then at his +beloved Miss Jasmine, and finally catching Delphy in his arms, trotted +up and down the great hall with her on his shoulder, while the child +shrieked with delight and called him dear, darling old Duncan. + +At last, however, the hall was in order. The ingle-nook was a blaze of +light and cosiness. The boys and girls were chattering as they had +never chattered before; and Duncan, assisted by a boy of the name of +Rob, who wore the Lennox livery, brought in ponderous trays, which were +laid on great tables. These trays contained tea and coffee, scones to +make your mouth water, butter arranged like swans swimming in parsley, +and shortbread made by that famous cook, old Mrs Duncan, who was also +the housekeeper at The Garden. + +The trays were followed, alas! by the kitchen cat, Jean, who smelt the +good things and walked in with her tail very erect, and a look on her +face as much as to say, 'I 'm monarch of all I survey!' + +'Out you go, Jean!' cried Hollyhock. + +'No, Hollyhock, don't be unkind to poor Jean,' said Mrs Constable. +'You were very glad to have her when you were alone. And now listen, +my dear; I have something to whisper to you.' + +Hollyhock dropped Jean, who was immediately snatched up by Gentian. +Gentian provided the kitchen cat with a rich mixture of cream, milk, +and sugar. She lapped it slowly and gracefully, as all cats will, in +front of the ingle-nook, the two great dogs watching her with envious +eyes, but not daring to interfere. + +Mrs Constable, meanwhile, continued to whisper in a distant corner to +Hollyhock, 'My darling, I was the first to tell you the great news--I +mean with regard to the boys' school, or, as we intend to call it, the +Annex. No other child knows of it at present, and no other child knows +that you are going to Ardshiel on Monday with your sisters. Now, what +I propose is this. You must have a hearty tea and enjoy yourself as +much as possible, and then you shall have the great honour of telling +the news _first_ about yourself, and then about my boys and the little +school, to the others. _Only_ Hollyhock shall tell. There, my pet, +kiss me. See how I love you.' + +'Oh, you do, and you are a darling,' said Hollyhock, who was keenly +gratified by this distinction bestowed upon her. + +The tea was disposed of with appetite. Never, surely, was there such +shortbread eaten before, never such scones partaken of. +Notwithstanding her private tea upstairs, Hollyhock was very hungry and +happy, and the marked attentions which Jasper paid her gave her intense +and unalloyed pleasure. Oh, what a pity he was leaving the school! +What a dear boy was this Precious Stone! She even forgot the boy with +the blue eyes when she looked at Jasper's honest, manly face. But the +best of good teas come to an end. + +Duncan came in with his soft whisper and gentle words in his cracked +old voice, still singing softly, 'Should auld acquaintance be forgot, +and never brought to mind?' Hollyhock gave him a haughty glance, but +he did not observe it; and Jasper suddenly said, springing to his feet, +'Hurrah, old Duncan! you are the man for me. Let's all sing the jolly +old song!' + +'But, master,' faltered Duncan, 'I canna sing as once I sang.' + +Jasper said, 'Nonsense; you forget yourself, Duncan. You lead off, and +we 'll begin.' + +All the children stood up; all the young voices, the middle-aged voice +of Mrs Constable, and the aged voice of Duncan brought out the beloved +words: + + 'Should auld acquaintance be forgot, + And never brought to mind? + Should auld acquaintance be forgot, + And auld lang syne? + + 'We twa hae paidl'd in the burn + Frae morning sun till dine; + But seas between us braid hae roar'd + Sin' auld lang syne. + + For auld lang syne, my dear, + For auld lang syne, + We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet + For auld lang syne.' + + +Just as the last words had echoed round the hall, who should enter but +the father of the Flower Girls. There was a sudden cry of rapture. +Jasmine's arms were round his neck; Delphy mounted to her accustomed +place on his shoulder. He was their own, their darling. Gentian +kissed his hand over and over again. Dark-eyed Rose of the Garden +kissed him once more. Oh, how happy they were! for his little +Hollyhock--the child who had troubled him all the week--overcome by +varied emotions, sprang to his side, pushed both Jasmine and Gentian +away, and said, 'Oh, daddy, I have been a bad, bad lassie, but I'm all +right now; and if you'll listen, daddy mine, and if the others will +hold their peace for a minute, I 'll let my great secret out.' There +was a new sound in Hollyhock's voice. Old Duncan stood in a kind of +trance of wonder. To be sure, things _were_ coming round, and that +week of misery was over. 'Daddy,' said Hollyhock, 'I didn't think +you'd enjoy my absence as much as you will. I talked a lot of +nonsense, and said I'd see to you, Daddy Dumps; but what's the use? I +'m not just entirely to blame, but I have _not_ been happy this last +week, so I think it is well that I should go back with Jasmine and the +others to Ardshiel on Monday morning--that is, if _you_ wish it, daddy?' + +'Is the choice entirely your own, my child?' said George Lennox. + +'Yes, it is. You 'll want me, perhaps, when you haven't got me, but +I'm away to school with the others. It's right--it _is_ right.' + +'Well, my Hollyhock, I thank you,' said her father. 'I shall miss you, +beyond a doubt; but work has set in for me to such an extent that I +have no time to attend to you, and your being in the house and +uneducated has been a sore trial to me, Holly. You 'll be a good lass +at school, my child. You must promise me that.' + +'You 'll have a right-down lovely time, Holly,' cried Jasmine. + +'Yes, won't she?' echoed Gentian. + +'But I haven't told you all the story yet,' said Hollyhock. She +suddenly went up to Jasper and took his big hand. 'I was trusted by a +lady, whose name I mustn't mention, with another bit of news, Jasper, +boy--and, oh! it's sore it makes my heart. _You_ have to go to the +lady, Jasper, boy, and so has Garnet, and so has Sapphire, and so have +Opal and Emerald. In addition, the boys at Ardshiel are to go to a new +Annex--under protest, no doubt; but still it has to be. You 'll be +taught by men, my bonnie Precious Stones, and we lassies will have to +do with the women folk.' + +'Well, this is astounding,' said Jasper. 'Is it true?--Can you +explain, Uncle George?' + +'Yes, my boy; and I don't think you 'll mind when it's explained to +you. The "lady" whom my Hollyhock wouldn't mention is your _own_ +mother.' + +'Mother!' cried Emerald, in a voice of rapture. 'Eh, mother, I have +missed you!' + +He was only a little fellow--the youngest of the Precious Stones--and +he suddenly burst out crying. + +'There, now, be a brave lad,' said Mrs Constable. 'No tears, my little +son, for they don't become a gentleman. They don't become the son of +Major Constable. Ho died fighting for his country, and no son of his +and mine should be seen with tears in his eyes. You all do come back +to your mummy, my children, and a lot of other boys come as well; and +The Paddock is to be partly changed, so that I can mother you, my +Emerald, but not teach you--no, no, none of that. There 'll be that +fine gentleman, the Reverend James Cadell, to put Latin and Greek into +you; and there'll be Alan Anderson to teach you games, as boys should +play them; and there 'll be young Mr Maclure to help him with your +English and your lessons all round. I 'll have my five Precious Stones +sleeping again under my roof; and your food will be prepared by that +maid of ours, Alison, of whom you have always been so fond; and old Mrs +Cheke will be the housekeeper and look after your wants. And for +foreign languages Mrs Macintyre will send over at certain hours each +day some of her governesses. Now then, children, I think we are all +going to be as happy as happy. It was decided by a wise woman that Mrs +Macintyre's mixed school would eventually prove a mistake, for a good +many mothers object to sending their girls to such places, although I +myself see no harm in them whatsoever. But, my dear boys, we must +think of Mrs Macintyre, who will have a very large school of girls. On +Monday next you will see many new faces at Ardshiel, and the +arrangement that you, my little loves, are to spend Saturday till +Monday all together is to continue. So now do let us sing a fresh song +of that wondrous bard, Robbie Burns, because I feel so absolutely Scots +of the Scots to-day that I simply cannot stand any one else. + + 'Hark, the mavis' evening sang + Sounding Clouden's woods amang; + Then a-faulding let us gang, + My bonnie Dearie. + + 'Ca' the yowes to the knowes, + Ca' them whare the heather grows, + Ca' them whare the burnie rowes + My bonnie Dearie. + + We'll gae down by Clouden side, + Through the hazels spreading wide, + O'er the waves, that sweetly glide + To the moon sae clearly. + + 'Yonder Clouden's silent towers, + Where at moonshine midnight hours, + O'er the dewy bending flowers, + Fairies dance sae cheery. + + 'Ghaist nor bogle shalt thou fear; + Thou 'rt to Love and Heaven sae dear, + Nocht of ill may come thee near, + My bonnie Dearie. + + Fair and lovely as thou art, + Thou hast stown my very heart; + I can die--but canna part, + My bonnie Dearie. + + 'While waters wimple to the sea, + While day blinks i' the lift sae hie, + Till clay-cauld death shall blin' my e'e + Ye shall be my Dearie!' + + +'Oh, mother, mother!' cried one boy after another, as they clustered +round her, 'indeed we are happy now, since _you_ are the "lady."' + +'We didn't rightly understand at first,' continued Jasper.--'But come +for a walk, Hollyhock; come along; I have a lot to say to you.' + +So Hollyhock and Jasper went out together into the old grounds in the +old way, and the sweet, yet sorrowful, week--so maddening to poor +Hollyhock, so joyous to Jasper--was forgotten in the spirit of reunion. +Oh, it was perfect for the Flower Girl to be with her precious Precious +Stone again, and she even loved his dear Scots ways so much that she +told him of her little adventure as a 'great secret,' and besought of +him not to mention it to any one. + +'And so you were taken with that English boy Ivor Chetwode,' he +remarked. 'I didn't think you were so fickle. But it's all right now, +Hollyhock, and you 'll have a right jolly time at the school.' + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +UNDER PROTEST. + +Whatever Hollyhock's feelings may have been, she went to school on the +following Monday morning with a good grace. She was the sort of girl +who, when once she put her hand to the plough, would not take it back +again. She refused, however, to listen to any of the stories which +Jasmine, Gentian, and the others longed and pined to tell her of the +great school. + +'I 'll find out for myself,' was her remark; and Mrs Constable advised +the other girls to leave this obstinate lass alone as far as possible. + +'Under protest!' exclaimed Jasmine. + +'If you think it right,' said Gentian. + +'Yes, Jasmine; yes, Gentian. I do know what is really best for our +little maid. She will find her own way best in the school if she is +not interfered with. If she is in any sort of trouble, then she will +have her dear Flower sisters to go to.' + +'I doubt it myself,' said Gentian. 'That's just what Hollyhock will +not do. I know Holly; she's a queer fish. Rare courage has she; I 'm +not fit to hold a candle to her myself.' + +'Oh, you have plenty of courage of your own,' said Mrs Constable. 'You +can wile every girl in the place, but don't interfere with Hollyhock.' + +'Well, I 'm longing to be off to school,' said Jasmine, 'and I only +trust Holly will like the dear spot as much as we do.' + +'She 's certain sure to, girlies, if you don't tell her so. If you do, +I won't answer for the consequences. She 'd love to scare you all. +There now, my darlings, let her be, let her be.' + +So the girls, who dearly loved Aunt Cecilia, and who thought a lot of +her counsel, were induced to be judicious in the matter of Hollyhock, +and to walk with her to Ardshiel as though it were an ordinary stroll +they were taking. + +Hollyhock was certainly a very handsome little girl. With the +exception of Rose of the Garden, she was the only one of the young +Lennoxes who was really dark. Her great deep black eyes were +surrounded by thick black lashes. Her hair grew low on her brow and +curled itself into little rings here, there, and everywhere. In +addition, it was extremely long and thick, and, when not tied up with a +ribbon, fell far below her waist. Hollyhock had pearly-white teeth, a +very short upper lip, and a certain disdainful, never-may-care +appearance, which was very fetching to most girls. + +The hour for the reassembling of the girls at Ardshiel was nine +o'clock, and Hollyhock, although her heart was beating furiously, +showed not a scrap of nervousness, but gazed dauntlessly and with a +fine defiance around her. Everywhere and in all directions she found +eyes fixed on her--blue eyes, gray eyes, brown eyes, light eyes, dark +eyes, the eyes of the pale-faced English, the glowing eyes of a few +French girls; but she felt quite assured in her own heart that there +was not one in that great group who could compare with herself. +Hollyhock, or, in other words, Jacqueline Lennox. + +She resolved quickly (and Hollyhock's resolutions, once formed, were +hard to break) that _she_ would be _captain_ of this great school; she +would lead, and the others would follow, no matter the colour of their +eyes, no matter the complexions, no matter the thin, pale faces, or the +fat, rosy faces. These things were all one to Hollyhock. She would +compel these girls; they would follow her willy-nilly where _she_ +wished and where _she_ dared to go. She knew well that she was not +clever in book-learning, but she also knew well that she had the great +gift of leadership; she would be the leader here. She rejoiced in the +fact that all the girls were staring at her. She would go carefully to +work and soon secure a band of followers, who would increase by-and-by, +becoming extremely obstreperous and doing all sorts of naughty things, +for Holly had no intention when at school to be good or to learn much. +She went solely and entirely for her own happiness, because she +preferred the girls with the blue, gray, and nondescript eyes to the +kitchen cat, Jean, and to the great loneliness which had descended on +The Garden. + +Such a girl as Hollyhock could not but attract attention, and the Lady +Barbara Fraser, Miss Agnes Featherstonhaugh, and many others became +fascinated on the very first day. But Hollyhock, on that first day, +was outwardly meek. She was good, except for her flashing eyes; she +was good, except for the sudden and very queer smile which played round +her pretty lips. + +The other Flower Girls had been liked very much indeed, but they had +not stirred a certain naughty spirit in the breasts of the girls. They +honestly, all four of them, wanted to learn hard and to repay their +beloved father for all the expense he was put to on their account; but +Hollyhock's was a totally different nature. She had come to school to +lead, and lead she would. + +On the afternoon of the first day, Lady Leucha Villiers, who was a +delicate, refined-looking girl, came up to Jasmine. 'Well, what queer +changes have taken place in the school!' + +'What do you mean exactly?' replied Jasmine. + +'Why, all those nice boys have vanished like smoke.' + +'No, they haven't. They are alive and well. They are being taught at +the Annex. It has been considered best.' + +Lady Leucha gave a sigh. 'I miss that dear Ivor,' she said, 'and I +also miss your cousin Jasper and that little chap you call Opal; but +what puzzles me most of all is the crowds and crowds of new girls who +have arrived at the school, and the newest of them all is your sister.' + +'Yes,' said Barbara Fraser, 'your sister, Jasmine, is very new and very +remarkable. Whyever did she not come with the rest of you last week?' + +'She did not wish it,' replied Jasmine. 'Girls, had we not better get +our French ready for Mam'selle?' + +'Oh, bother Mam'selle!' said Lady Leucha. 'I am interested in your +sister. Fancy a girl not coming to school because she doesn't wish it.' + +'Father never forces any of us,' said Jasmine in her sweet voice. +'Hollyhock began by disliking the school--I mean the idea of it--and +she was a bit lonesome with no one to talk to her, so she came back +with us this morning.' + +'Hollyhock,' said Lady Leucha. 'A queer name!' + +'Oh, it isn't her real name; it is her home name. Her real name is +Jacqueline.' + +'That's much prettier,' said Leucha Villiers. 'Do tell her to come and +sit with us, Jasmine. I shall always call her Jack. I have taken a +great fancy to her.' + +'Well, you'd best keep your fancy to yourself,' said Jasmine, 'for no +one _will_, and no one _can_, coerce Hollyhock.' + +'Oh, she's not going to lord it over me,' said Lady Leucha. 'Am I not +an earl's daughter?' + +'That will have no effect on Hollyhock, I can assure you.' + +'Won't it? We'll see. My father has got a glorious mansion, and we +belong to the very greatest nobility in the whole of England. Our +cousins, the Frasers, are the daughters of the Marquis of Killin. So +you 'd better not put on airs before me, Jasmine. Oh Jasmine, I do +love you; you are such a downright dear little thing. I 'm going to +ask you up to Hans Place at Easter if daddy and mother will give me +leave.' + +'Thank you,' said Jasmine; but I couldn't afford to spend one minute +away from The Garden.' + +'How queer of you! You seem devoted to your home.' + +'I'm Scots,' replied Jasmine; 'and to the Scots there are no people +like the Scots.' + +'Oh, do, do watch her!' suddenly exclaimed Lady Leucha. 'Barbara, do +you see--Dorothy, do you see?--she's walking up and down on the terrace +with that ugly Mary Barton and that nobody, Agnes Featherstonhaugh. +Why, Nancy Greenfield and Jane Calvert are hopping round her just as +though they were magpies on one leg.' + +'Why should she not talk to those girls? They are very nice,' said +Jasmine. 'But, Leucha, Barbara, and Dorothy, do you not think you had +better prepare your French lessons? At least I must and will.' + +Jasmine skipped away and was soon lost to view, but the Ladies Barbara, +Dorothy, and Leucha found themselves alone--alone and somewhat +slighted. Slighted, too, by those commonplace Scots girls! They, who +were the daughters of a marquis and an earl! The thing was not to be +endured! + +Leucha whispered to her companions, and soon they got up and went out +in a little group into the grounds. They saw black-eyed Hollyhock, +surrounded by her adorers. She was talking in quite a gentle, subdued +voice, and did not take the least notice of the marquis's and the +earl's daughters. Never had Nancy Greenfield, Jane Calvert, Mary +Barton, Agnes Featherstonhaugh, and last, but not least, Margaret +Drummond felt so elated. Holly was talking in a very low, seductive +voice. Her rich curls were tumbling about her face and far down her +back. Her cheeks were like bright, soft fire, and the flash in her +glorious black eyes it would be difficult to surpass. + +'I say, Jack,' exclaimed Leucha. + +----'And, girls, as I was telling you, that poor cat, wee Jean, she +came and nestled on my bed'---- + +'I'm talking to you, Miss Lennox,' said Lady Leucha. + +'Are you? I did not listen. You spoke to some one called Jack. +That's a boy. I happen to be a girl.--Well, girls, let's proceed. +I've _such_ a jolly plan in my head. I 'm thinking--whisper--that +young person must not hear.' + +The whisper was to the effect that wee Jean was to be fetched from The +Garden by Holly that very night and put comfortably into Lady Leucha's +bed. A saucer of cream was to be placed in the said bed, and it was +more than likely that bonnie Jean would spill it in her fright. + +Lady Leucha, who knew nothing of this plan, said in a tone bristling +with haughtiness, 'Some little Scotch girls can be very rude!' + +'And some fair maids of England can be downright worse!' retorted +Hollyhock.--'Come along, girls, let's go down this side-walk.' + +Lady Leucha had never been spoken to in that tone before, but rudeness +to a girl who had always been pampered made her desire all the stronger +to win the fascinating Hollyhock to her side, and to deprive those +common five, Agnes Featherstonhaugh, Mary Barton, Nancy Greenfield, +Jane Calvert, and Margaret Drummond, of her company. Accordingly, +accompanied by the two Frasers, she also went down the shady walk which +led to the great lake. She began to talk in a high-pitched English +voice of the delights of her home, the wealth of her parents, and the +way in which the Marquis of Kilmarnock and his sons and daughters +adored her. + +Hollyhock heard each word, but _her_ voice was no longer gentle. It +was loud and a little penetrating. 'You would not dare to come out at +night,' she said, looking at the devoted five. + +'And whyever not?' asked Mary. + +'You would not have the courage. It's here on moonlight nights that +the ghost walks. He drips as he walks; and he's _very_ tall and very +strong, with a wild sort of light in his eyes, which are black and big +and awful to see. He was drowned here in the lake on the night before +his wedding. He's very unquiet, is that poor ghost! _I_ do not mind +him one little bit, being a sort of friend, almost a relative, of his. +Many and many a night, when the moon is at the full, have I stood by +the lake and said, "Come away, my laddie. Come, poor ghostie, and I +'ll dry your wet hair." Poor fellow, he likes me to rub him dry.' + +[Illustration: 'It's here on moonlight nights that the ghost walks.'] + +The daughters of the marquis and the earl were now quite silent, their +silly little hearts filled with horror. They never guessed that +Hollyhock was making up her story. + +'You _couldn't_ have done that,' said Jane Calvert. + +'Whist, can't ye? I want to get those girls away, so as to talk about +the kitchen cat.' + +The girls in question certainly did go away. They did more; they went +straight to Mrs Macintyre and asked her if the awful story was true. +Mrs Macintyre, having never heard of it, declared emphatically that it +was not true; but, somehow, neither Lady Leucha nor the Fraser girls +quite believed her. There was such a ring of truth in Hollyhock's +words; and had they not all heard, on that first happy evening at the +school, the cry, so shrill, so piercing, '_The ghost! the ghost!_' + +They had tried not to think of it since, but Hollyhock seemed to +confirm the weird words, and they began to wonder if they could stay +long in this school, which, beautiful as it was, contained such an +awful ghost--a ghost who required a little girl to dry his locks for +him. Surely such a terrible thing could not happen! It was quite past +belief. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +THE SUMMER PARLOUR. + +If there was a girl who was at once slightly frightened and extremely +angry, that girl was Leucha Villiers, the daughter of the Earl of +Crossways. Never, never before had any overtures on her part been +treated as Hollyhock had treated them. If this saucy black-eyed imp +intended to rule the school, she, Leucha, would show her what she +thought of her conduct. She would not be ruled by her. She would, in +short, show her once and for all her true position. Little Scotch +nobody, indeed! Well, the angry Leucha knew how to proceed. + +Leucha was considered by her friends and by her numerous acquaintances +a most charming girl, a girl with such aristocratic manners, such a +noble presence, such a gentle, firm, distinguished air. She had been, +during her first week at school, very happy on the whole, for Jasmine, +and Gentian, and Rose, and Delphinium had more or less bowed down to +her and admired her. But now there appeared on the scene a totally +different character--Hollyhock! How ridiculous to call any human being +by such a name! But then it wasn't her real name; her name was +Jacqueline. She, Lady Leucha, would certainly not call her Hollyhock, +or prickly Holly, or anything of that sort. She would call her Jack +and Jacko, and tease her as much as possible. She had certainly spoken +of the ghost in her ridiculous Scotch accent, but Leucha Villiers, +after careful consideration, determined not to be afraid of pure +nonsense. Was there ever a girl in creation who dried a ghost's +dripping hair? The whole thing was too silly. + +In accordance with Mrs Maclure's promise, a great many fresh girls had +arrived, and the full number of seventy was now nearly made up. It +would be quite made up by the end of the following week. + +Leucha liked the boy element in the school, and was exceedingly sorry +to part with it; but she perceived, to her intense satisfaction, that +the English contingent of girls at Ardshiel was very strong, and that, +notwithstanding all her audacity and daring, Jacko--of course she was +Jacko--could be kept in a minority. She felt there was no time to +lose, for Hollyhock looked at her with such flashing eyes, with such +saucy dimples round her lips, with such a very rare and personal +beauty, that Leucha felt she must get hold of her own girls at once, in +order to sustain the school against the wicked machinations of Jacko. + +Accordingly she got Lady Barbara Fraser and her sister Dorothy, also +the Honourable Daisy Watson, to meet her in what was called the Summer +Parlour, a very pretty arbour in the grounds, where materials for a +fire were laid, and where a fire could be lit in cold weather. + +Winter was approaching. It was now nearly October, and October in the +North is often accompanied by frosts and fallen leaves, and by bitter, +cold, easterly winds. Lady Leucha had, she considered, a very charming +manner. Having collected her friends round her, she went off with them +to seek for Mrs Macintyre. They found this good woman, as usual, very +busy, and very gentle and full of tact. + +'We have come with a request,' said Lady Leucha. + +'And what is that, my child?' asked Mrs Macintyre. + +'Mrs Macintyre,' said Lady Leucha, 'you have in your school far more +English than Scotch girls.' + +'That is true, my dear--at least, it is true up to the present. But I +have heard to-day from my dear friend Mrs Maclure that fifteen new +Edinburgh lassies will arrive on Saturday. You'll welcome them; won't +you, Leucha?' + +'I like English girls best,' said Lady Leucha. + +'That's natural enough, dear child. Well, you have a goodly number of +friends and relatives at the school.' + +'I have,' said Leucha; 'but I have come in the name of my cousins, +Dorothy and Barbara Fraser, and my great friend Daisy Watson, to say +that we do not approve of the manners of the new pupil.' + +'What new pupil, Leucha? There are a good many in the school.' + +'I know that. But I allude to that wild-looking child with black eyes +and hair, who talks the absurdest nonsense. Would you believe it, dear +Mrs Macintyre, she talks of coming here on moonlight nights and wiping +the hair of a ghost? Could you imagine anything so silly?' + +'It is a very foolish thing to say,' remarked Mrs Macintyre--'so silly +and impossible that if I were you, Leucha, I would not give it a second +thought. The child must have said it in pure fun. You are doubtless +alluding to Hollyhock, a splendid little girl.' + +'Well,' said Leucha, tossing her head, 'I don't care for girls who tell +untruths; and it is not only for that reason that I dislike her, it is +also because she has been so terribly rude to my cousins the Frasers, +and to my dear friend Daisy Watson. I can see that she intends to rule +the school, or at least to take a very leading position in it. Now +this I, for one, do not wish, and I do not intend to put up with it. I +think that I, as Earl Crossways' daughter, and the Frasers, who are +daughters of the Marquis of Killin'---- + +'And therefore Scots of the Scots,' interrupted Mrs Macintyre. + +'Well, at least their mother is English of the English, and they have +been brought up in English ways. They are _my_ relatives, and I do not +choose them to be treated rudely. There is also my very great friend +Daisy Watson. We are most anxious, dear Mrs Macintyre, for you to +allow us English girls, who at present are in a majority in the school, +the entire use of the Summer Parlour, giving it out as your desire that +no Scotch girl is to come into the parlour without our express +permission.' + +'I do not quite see how I can do that, Leucha. The Summer Parlour is +for the use of all, and why should my Scots lassies be excluded? I am +sure, notwithstanding your remarks, Leucha, the children you speak of +are both good and well-bred.' + +'That horrid creature they call Hollyhock isn't well-bred,' said Leucha. + +'She is a magnificent child,' said Mrs Macintyre. 'You don't know her +story or you wouldn't speak of her like that.' + +'_I_ don't want to hear her story,' said Barbara Fraser. 'I dislike +her appearance too much.' + +'Barbara, my dear, I am the last to encourage vanity, but Hollyhock is +quite the handsomest girl in the school.' + +'Oh, Mrs Macintyre, I do wish we had never come here!' said Leucha, who +looked extremely mournful and inclined to cry. 'Of course, I suppose, +mother must give you a term's notice, but there are really _refined_ +schools in England without wild Scotch girls in their midst.' + +'You must not speak against Scotland to me,' said Mrs Macintyre. +'Remember it is my native land--the land of the heather, and the lochs, +and the glorious mountains. It is the land of brave men and brave +women, and I will not have it run down by _any_ impudent English girl. +I've got so many other English girls coming to the school that the loss +of you four won't affect me much, Leucha Villiers.' + +This was taking matters with a very high hand, and Leucha, who had no +great moral strength, was thoroughly subdued. + +'I didn't mean to be rude to you, of course, dear Mrs Macintyre,' she +said, nudging her cousins as she spoke. 'I only said I did not like +that black-eyed girl. She's frightfully wild and rude, and I'm +accustomed to girls of a different type. Naturally indeed, being born +as I am. However, I ask now for permission to use the Summer Parlour. +Do you refuse it?' + +'If you don't want it for hatching plots or anything of that kind,' +said Mrs Macintyre, 'you English girls can have it till Saturday--no +longer, remember; and as the weather is turning very cold, you must pay +for your own fire, and, what's more, light it. For all my maids have +plenty of work to do in the house. Now, then, are you satisfied? The +Summer Parlour will be yours, beginning from to-day.' + +'Thank you, Mrs Macintyre; we are quite satisfied,' said Leucha, who +knew well how furious her mother would be were she removed from +Ardshiel, which, as the former home of _kings_, was considered most +distinguished. + +The girls went off quite mildly and gently. The day was drawing toward +evening. Their idea was to light a great fire in the Parlour, and then +go into the house for tea; after which they would prepare their +lessons, and then go back in a body to the Parlour to discuss the +enormities of that wicked girl who called herself Hollyhock. But, +alack and alas! the daughter of the Earl of Crossways and the daughters +of the Marquis of Killin had never lit a fire in their lives, and did +not know in the least how to set about it. They were not particularly +strong girls, and did not wish to sit in the Summer Parlour hatching +mischief against their schoolfellow without the comfort of a glowing +fire. + +'How queer and cross Mrs Mac. is!' said Leucha, turning to her +companions as they rushed off to the Parlour, knowing that they would +have at least half-an-hour in which to make it ready for their evening +talk. + +'No, no; she's all right,' said Barbara Fraser; 'and mother thinks the +world of her. If we left, girls, I don't know what father and mother +would say. They've always been wild to get us into a proper Scottish +school.' + +'How are we to light the fire?' whispered Leucha. 'Do you know how +it's done, Dorothy?' + +'Not I. Who 's that singing?' + +There was a wonderfully sweet contralto voice sounding from the cosy +depths of the Summer Parlour. The words the girl sang were as follows: + + 'The great Ardshiel, he gaed before, + He gart the cannons and guns to roar. + + +'Whisper now, lassies. Do you not know that "the oak shall go over the +myrtle yet"? We will settle some of the poor English girls yet. All +the same, I like the really nice English girls _ever_ so well. They +are so bonnie and so gentle, like my own sweet sister Jasmine. Where +could you see her like anywhere? And there is my own kinsman, the Duke +of Ardshiel! Ah! but I love him well!' + +The voice was undoubtedly the voice of Hollyhock, who, without rhyme or +reason, had lit a great fire in the old grate, and was comfortably +established there, with her four sisters and a number of Scots and +English girls scattered round. + +These young people were seated round the roaring fire, and Holly, with +her black locks and great glowing black eyes, was the centre of an +animated group. She was about to expand her views on the nice and +not-nice English girls, when in rushed Leucha and her friends. + +'You clear out of this,' she said. + +'Clear?' said Hollyhock. 'What is clear?' + +'There's the door,' said Leucha. 'Go!' + +'Not I,' said Holly. 'I find this little chair very comfortable.' + +She established herself with much grace and dignity, and the others +clustered round her. + +'You have got to go,' said Leucha, who was now in a towering passion. +'We have got Mrs Macintyre's permission to consecrate the Summer +Parlour to the English girls until Saturday.' + +'That seems a pity,' said Holly, 'for, you see, we _must_ put out the +fire. We built it, we lassies of Scotland, and we do not leave it +except to those English girls who are on our side. I rather think you +are up to a conspiracy, and you sha'n't hatch your plot by _our_ +fire.--Come, girls, she wants the Parlour and the fire, but she does +not want us. So, quick is the word. Stir yourself, Delphy; stir +yourself, Augusta; stir yourselves, all the rest. It is mighty damp +outside, so the faggots can cool themselves there. My word! I do not +think much of _some_ English maids. They have no manners at all. And +I telling such a fine tale about Ardshiel and his bonnie men. Well, +the Camerons are down now, but they will soon be up again. "The +Camerons are coming," say I. Never mind, girls; we 'll find another +place for our wee conspiracy.' + +In less than two minutes the fire no longer glowed and roared. The +coal smouldered feebly under the grate; the faggots were put in the +dripping rain, for the evening happened to be a wet one; and, in order +to make all secure, Hollyhock poured a jug of water over the rapidly +expiring fire. + +'There they lie,' she cried; 'but if any of you wants a proper fire +lit, not in anger, but in the spirit of love, I can and will undertake +the job. Ay! not a word!--Come away, girls. I know a little hut where +we can light a fire for our own conspiracy--a sort of a "cubby hole," +but loved by poor ghostie, and fit for our work. Come at once, girls. +Come at once.' + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE FIRE THAT WILL NOT LIGHT. + +The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis +of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to +relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the +kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least +acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the +powers of these ladies of high degree. + +Naughty Hollyhock's last effort before she left the Parlour had been to +pour a small jug of water over the fast-expiring coals. + +'I 'm thinking this will settle matters,' she said to her adoring +companions. 'Let them try their hardest now if they like, but we 'll +find our own cubby hole and light our fire somewhere else.' + +No sooner said than done, for Hollyhock was an adept at small manual +jobs. She had observed in her rambles over the Palace of the Kings a +small neglected hut, said to be haunted by the ghost from the +neighbouring loch. As Hollyhock had not a scrap of fear of the ghost, +knowing only too well that he did _not_ appear, and knowing also that +she could use him as a valuable weapon, she entered the hut, sent +Gentian flying for some fresh faggots, and with the aid of Margaret +Drummond and her own sisters, Mary Barton, Nancy Greenfield, Isabella +Macneale, and Jane Calvert, she soon had a glowing fire. They put by +in one corner a pile of faggots to place on the fire when tea was over, +after which they would have quite an hour to work out their conspiracy. +At tea, which was served on long tables in a beautiful old room, +Hollyhock looked more brilliant and more beautiful than ever. Leucha, +on the contrary, had a pale face and seemed chilled to the bone. + +'Did you leave your fire burning well, Leucha, my hearty?' inquired +Hollyhock. + +Leucha, of course, refused to reply. She sat looking down at her +plate, hardly eating the good things before her, but making up her mind +to punish that horrible _Jack_, even if she herself died in the effort. + +'Couldn't you find a small hut by the burnside; couldn't you now?' +continued Hollyhock in a coaxing tone. 'The Summer Parlour's grate is +hard to light up--it has an artful way with it--but a small _hut_ now, +with you sitting by the fire, could be easily managed. I 'd bring you +some faggots, if you said the word.' + +'No, thank you. I don't choose you to help me in any way.' + +'All right! I 'm not wanting to,' said Hollyhock. 'I'm very happy +without you, my Lady Leucha.' + +'Girls,' said one of the English mistresses, who felt quite certain +there was mischief ahead, 'I think you ought to take your tea, and be +quick about it. You will lose your recreation afterwards if you stop +to wrangle.' + +'What's wrangle, Miss Kent, dear?' asked Hollyhock in her sweetest +tones. 'I like well to hear your pure English words. We Scots talk +very differently, no doubt, but we are always willing to learn. So, +please, what's wrangle? And will you pass me a fresh scone, Miss Kent, +dear, for my appetite is far more than ordinary?' + +'Vulgar little glutton,' muttered Leucha to Dorothy Fraser. + +'She really _is_ attractive, all the same,' answered Dorothy. + +'Oh Dolly, you are not going round to her? That _would_ be the final +straw.' + +'No, I 'm not, of course; but I can't help admiring her funny ways and +her beautiful, noble sort of face.' + +'Noble!' cried Lady Leucha. + +'Yes, it is noble, although it is full of mischief too. You could have +had her as a _great_ friend, Leucha, and that girl is worth making a +friend of. I never saw her like before. She really haunts me.' + +'What haunts you, lassie?' cried Hollyhock. 'Is it my eyes so black, +or my cheeks so rosy-red, or my hair so curly, and black as the +blackest night? I 'm at your service. I'm willing to forgive and +forget this blessed minute if you'll all hold out the paws of +forgiveness.' + +Both Dorothy and Barbara longed to do so, but Lady Leucha put the final +extinguisher on their hopes by saying, 'No, never! Why, you are not +even a lady!' + +'Let's eat,' said Hollyhock. 'I waved the flag of peace, as the great +Ardshiel did once; but never again--don't you fear, lassies. No lady, +indeed! We 'll see who's the lady!' + +In vain Miss Kent tried to stop the angry torrent of words, but this +was the hour when the girls were allowed to talk freely. Mrs Macintyre +was not present, and all eyes in the room were fixed with admiration on +Hollyhock. + +'First, we 'd like to know--just for a diversion--what _makes_ a lady,' +continued the obstreperous lass. ''Tisn't birth--my certie! no. It +must be a sort of civilisation. It must be, to my way of thinking, a +give and a take. It must belong to the sort of person who has the +courage of her race, and will even wipe the hair of a ghost when he +comes to you in his trouble. That's what _I_ call a lady. Others may +differ from me.' + +'They do,' said Leucha. 'Liars are not ladies!' + +'You 'd better not call _me_ that.' + +'But I do. You never wiped the hair of a ghost.' + +'Let's drop the subject,' said Hollyhock. 'My sisters and I, and Mrs +Constable, and my father, and my five cousins, the Precious Stones, +have views that differ from yours entirely. I know your sort of lady. +I have read of her in books, but I never came across her till I met +you, Leucha.' + +'I 'd thank you to call me Lady Leucha.' + +'I won't, then. You are only Leucha to me in this school. I have +described what I call a lady. She's bountiful to the poor, and +kindness sits in her bonnie eyes, and love shimmers round her lips, and +her heart--why, it's pure gold; and she's all-forgiving, and all for +making up. There 's never a quarrel that a real lady would nurse; but +mayhap there's a different sort in England. They walk what you might +call _mincingly_, and they drop their words slow, and there's no flash +in their eyes, and no courage in them, and no daring in them. No doubt +they are very respectable, and they are very proud of their family. +Then they make their little curtsy, when their education is quite +finished, to the Sovereign on the throne; and they go to many a party, +and they dress like all the other girls--no individuality anywhere. +That would not be thought right for such an English lady. She marries +when she can get a man to have her. Many a time he's as old as her +father; but that doesn't count with _her_, she being what she is, +looking out for _respectability_. Ah, well! I 'm all for the Scots +lady. I don't care for grand parties or grand dresses; but I want my +bit of adventure, and I'll have it, too. Good-bye, Leuchy. I think I +have explained myself.--Come along, girls; we have our work cut out for +us. It would not do for that poor Leuchy to be cold this night. She +must have a living, warming thing to comfort her, poor Leuchy! Come +along; there's no time to spare.' + +The girls, headed by Hollyhock, left the room in a group, but for some +reason Jasmine remained behind. She was very much distressed by her +sister's manner of going on, and what followed would not have taken +place had she gone to the ghost's hut and joined in the 'conspiracy;' +but the other girls were now fairly mad with excitement, and Margaret +Drummond, a Scots girl, was so much in love with Hollyhock that she +would have done anything on earth for her. + +[Illustration: The Conspiracy.] + +'You are splendid, lassie!' she cried. + +The fire was quite out in the Summer Parlour, but it glowed warmly in +the ghost's hut. + +'It's here I dry his hair, poor fellow,' said Hollyhock, who was now +nearly beside herself with delight. 'Listen to me, girls. You are a +goodly group, and true to the heart's core, true to the soul of the +thing; but I 'm not going to be ruled over by Leuchy, though I don't +mind Barbara, or Dorothy, or that weak little Daisy looking on. It's +Leuchy who 'll get a fright this very night. Now, then, we haven't +long to lose, for the hours for pure enjoyment are few in number. I am +much deceived if we don't find many impediments in our path. Now, +lassies, I 'll show you on the spot what we have got to do. One of us +must go to The Garden, my home, to fetch wee Jean, the kitchen cat; and +another has to beg, borrow, or steal a saucer of cream for the little +beastie. That's about all. I 'll start off at once for the cat; and +you, Gentian, had best get the cream. I have been looking round the +house--don't I know every stone of it?--and you have got to get into +the larder. You know your way to the larder, don't you, Gentian?' + +'Yes,' said Gentian, who looked rather frightened. + +'Well, never mind, my lass. You have got to do it, and one of these +girls will help you. You were always nimble-witted, and you won't fail +your own sister-born in a conspiracy so innocent and so amusing. While +I 'm off alone for the cat, you other girls will find out the number of +Leuchy's room, and have the nice rich cream ready for poor Jean. She +can sleep with me afterwards. Well, then, off I go! Good-bye, +lassies; good-bye! Oh, I can tell you bogy stories that 'll make your +hair stand up straight; but this is the night for wee Jean.' + +Hollyhock, her head in the air, rushed quickly down the avenue. There +was plenty of time still, for the gates would not be locked before nine +o'clock. She went out, therefore, boldly, and reached the dear old +Garden. She wrapped her cloak well about her, so as to disguise +herself as much as possible, and went straight to the kitchen regions, +where the housekeeper, having very little to do now that all the girls +were out and the master was dining with Lord Ian Douglas, was sound +asleep by the kitchen fire. + +On her lap reposed Jean, also in profound slumber. Hollyhock whisked +her up in a hurry, petting and cuddling her all the time. A row of +baskets hung just outside the kitchen door. Hollyhock chose one, +placed a warm bit of felt at the bottom, put in a lump of butter for +Jean to lick, fastened her down securely in the basket, and was off and +away, back to Ardshiel. + +By that time the other girls had fully carried out the commands of +their liege lady. The cream had been secured by Gentian, who had +scraped her shins a little in climbing in at the window. She had put +the cream into a small jug, and had further procured a saucer. + +'That'll do fine,' said Hollyhock. 'Poor Jean, poor beastie, we +mustn't frighten her, or she 'll be off like a flash. Have you got the +number of the English lady's room?' + +Yes, Leucha Villiers's room had been discovered. Hollyhock went boldly +upstairs. The little room looked most luxurious. There were +eider-down quilts on every bed in the house, and a particularly pretty +silk one was on the bed of Leucha. Under the eiderdown was a snowy +light counterpane. The room had been already arranged for the night, +and would not be touched again by any one. Although the weather was +beginning to get cold, Mrs Macintyre did not consider it necessary to +have fires in the bedrooms just yet; but wee Jean, cuddled up in +Hollyhock's arms, purred into Hollyhock's face, and presently lay +contentedly down just under the eider-down. + +It did not take her long to fall into a deep sleep, and, this done, +Hollyhock placed the saucer brimfull of cream also under the +eider-down, but she slightly raised the latter by means of a little +pile of Lady Leucha's favourite books. When the cat awoke she would +drink her cream, and then sleep on until she was disturbed. + +Hollyhock was rejoiced to find that Lady Leucha's room was close to her +own; in fact, it was next door. She could, therefore, be on the _qui +vive_, and meant to be. + +The 'conspiracy' had begun, and she had no idea of shifting any blame +from her own shoulders. She wished to punish Leucha, and punish her +she would. Yes, the 'conspiracy' had begun. + +She went softly downstairs, followed by a trail of tittering girls, who +hardly knew how to restrain themselves. + +'Whist, can't you? Whist!' said Hollyhock. 'Do you want to spoil the +whole thing by unseemly mirth? Now, then, mum's the word. Wee Jeanie +shall sleep in my room to-night; but I somehow fancy that I have shown +Leuchy who means to be head of the school.' + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +CREAM. + +The kitchen cat was a very gentle beastie, except in the matter of +killing birds and mice. She had the usual fascination of her species +where these small victims were concerned; and she enjoyed life in the +way cats do, eating when hungry, and sleeping the rest of her days. +She slept now with the greatest comfort under the silken eider-down +quilt. She rejoiced in the welcome warmth and purred softly to +herself, not even troubling to regard the saucer of cream until she had +had her snooze. By-and-by she would attack her cream, being partial to +that beverage; but for the present she would slumber on, a creature +without care, without fear; a gentle, admirable kitchen cat. She +brought up her families when they arrived with all a mother's rectitude +and propriety, and when they were old enough to leave her, got rid of +them as quickly as possible--which means that she took no further +notice of them. She regarded them no longer as hers; they were cats, +and she preferred them out of the way. At the present time she had +just reared and got rid of a large family, and was in that luxurious +state of bliss when the good things of life appealed to her. Her +purring went on for some time, then ceased, being followed by deep +slumber. + +Meanwhile Hollyhock and her chosen companions were amusing themselves +in various ways downstairs. Supper would be to the minute at a quarter +to nine. Supper was a very simple meal, a stand-up affair, consisting +in winter of hot bread-and-milk, in summer of cold milk and biscuits. + +The Lady Leucha thought her supper a very poor affair, but she was too +cold, after her vain attempts to light the fire in the Summer Parlour, +to resist the steaming-hot, delicious milk. She took it standing up +not far from Hollyhock. She resolved in her own mind to take no notice +whatever of Hollyhock. Jacko was to the Lady Leucha as one who did not +exist, but in her busy, vain little brain she was forming schemes for +the undoing of this impertinent Scots lass. + +Lady Leucha was not specially clever, but she was what might be called +'cute,' and although during her first week at school she had had no +special desire to push herself forward in any way whatsoever, yet now +that Hollyhock--or, rather, Jack--had come, she was fully determined to +crush her, if not by guile, then by other means. She, a young lady of +distinction, could not stand such impudence; she, the daughter of the +Earl of Crossways, would _not_ be bullied by a mere nobody like Jacko. +But, unfortunately for herself, Leucha was not nearly so clever in +forming plans for the destruction of her enemy as was the dark-eyed, +flashing Hollyhock, who would dare and dare again until she showed by +her ways and devices that she was invincible. + +'Come, girls, it is time for you to take your supper and be off to +bed,' said Miss Kent, who observed that Leucha was seated close to the +fire in the great sitting-room, shivering not a little, and that +Hollyhock, with glowing cheeks and sparkling eyes, had established +herself at the far end of the large room, and was relating bogy tales +with great rapidity to her ever-increasing host of adorers. One by one +fresh girls crept up to join this group, and one by one, whatever their +nationality, they were heartily welcomed by Hollyhock, who called out +in her clear, sweet voice--for very clear and sweet it could +be--'Lassies, make room for the stranger. Be you English or Scots, my +lady dear, you are welcome to join my circle.' + +Thus the circle began to grow very large, and the hushed, dramatic +voice of the narrator caused her listeners to hold their breath, until +occasionally they burst into fits of hearty laughter. But the hour had +come. The bowls of bread-and-milk smoked on the sideboard, and all the +girls hurried to begin and finish their food. After supper they went +to say good-night to Mrs Macintyre, who prayed God to bless them and +give them all 'a good and peaceful night.' Then, accompanied by Miss +Kent, whose office it was to see them to their rooms, they went +upstairs. + +Leucha had slightly recovered her spirits, but not absolutely. As a +matter of fact, she was wild with jealousy. She had sat by the fire +with Dorothy and Barbara Fraser and Daisy Watson, but all the other +girls had gone over to the large circle, where the voice was so +mysterious and the eyes of the speaker so bright. In their heart of +hearts, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin were keenly anxious to +leave their dull friend Leucha, and join the merry, excited group at +the other end of the room. This, however, they dared not do, for their +mother would not have wished them to desert Leucha. + +'Well, I'm glad this day is over,' exclaimed that young lady, as she +reached her bedroom. 'I shall be glad to get between the sheets and +forget that horrid, noisy Jack.' + +'Ah, will you just?' thought Hollyhock, who overheard the word as she +turned into her own snug apartment. Her heart was beating hard and +fast. She was waiting for the _denouement_. + +Lady Barbara and Lady Dorothy Fraser bade Leucha good-night, and went +much farther along the corridor. + +Leucha entered her room and turned on the light. The moment she did +this she began to sniff. What queer noise was this in the room? Was +there a clock anywhere, and had it gone wrong? She looked around her +and sniffed again. + +Hollyhock, prepared for all events, kept her door a little ajar, and +wee Jean, being slightly, very slightly, disturbed by the noise in the +room and the light which penetrated faintly under her eider-down quilt, +purred in a louder and more satisfied manner than ever. She thought +she might rise a trifle and begin to lap her cream. + +'What _can_ be the matter?' said Lady Leucha. This sharp and angry +tone slightly startled the kitchen cat, who raised herself slowly, +making a great heave as she did so of her own body and of the +eiderdown. The cream was close to her. The cream was sweet and +luscious; the cream would suit her to perfection. + +Lap, lap, lap, went her little tongue. In a fury--a blind fury--Leucha +rushed to her bed, tore aside the eider-down, and tried to catch the +wicked cat in order to fling her out of the window; but Hollyhock stood +in the room. + +'Don't,' she said. 'Poor beastie! I put her there for fun--for a bit +of a lark. I'll take her now. Don't you _touch_ my cat, or I 'll be +at you. I 'm sorry she has spilt the cream, but it hasn't had time to +get through to the blankets.--Here, come along, my pretty dear; come, +my angel Jean; you shall sleep along with your own mistress.--See, +Leuchy, the cream hasn't had time to get to the blankets, and it hasn't +touched the eider-down. I'll just whip off this white covering. Now +you see for yourself that you mustn't meddle with me. Best not. I 'm +all fire, I am; I 'm all glow, I am; I 'm all spirit, I am. There 's +no harm done, but would you like to hold the little cat while I remove +the sheet? Then you 'll be as tidy as possible, and you 'd best get to +bed, Leuchy. I 'll undress you after I have settled my cat. Here, +hold the small thing for a minute while I straighten things up.' + +But Leucha, who at first was speechless with horror, now raised her +voice to a mighty roar of indignation. + +'How dare you? How dare you? You wicked, ugly little girl! I can't +abide the sight of you! And to put a cat in my bed--a cat and cream, +forsooth! You don't get out of this scrape so easily as you think, +Miss _Jack_. I 'm going down this minute to speak to Mrs Macintyre.' + +'All right,' said Holly. 'I think you might do worse. I was willing +to be friends with you, but you wouldn't have it, so now I 'm t' other +way round, and I 'm thinking that I 'll carry most of the lassies with +me. But go, Leuchy. I meant to vex you, and I 'm not denying it. I +would have been different, but your haughty spirit forbade it; so now I +'m your chosen enemy, and you 'll have to fight me along with those in +the school who like me better than you.' + +But Leucha's fury had risen to its height. She dashed up to Hollyhock +and gave her a resounding smack on her right cheek. Hollyhock was +holding the cat, who, in the struggle, gave Leucha a savage scratch on +the hand, that lily-white hand of which she was so proud. It was a +great scratch going right across the back of the hand. In a moment +Leucha had fled from the room to seek Mrs Macintyre. Hollyhock flew +into her own chamber, put wee Jean carefully and tenderly into the +basket in which she had brought her from The Garden, stroked her for a +minute to cause her to purr again, cut a hole or two in the lid of the +basket to give the poor beast air, and then shoved cat and basket under +her bed. + +Instantly she returned to Leucha's room, took off the injured white +covering, shoved it into the soiled clothes-basket, turned down the +sheets, made the room look perfectly nice and tidy, removed the saucer, +which she carried into her own room and hid, also under the bed. + +She then sat and waited for events. They were not long in coming. +Leucha's anger was something prodigious. She forgot all about the +really frightful smack she had given Hollyhock on her rosy cheek. She +thought of nothing but her own indignities--the indignities committed +against an earl's daughter by a common Scots girl. + +She found Mrs Macintyre in her study. The good lady looked up in +amazement when the girl burst in. + +'My dear Leucha, whatever _is_ the matter? Why are you not in bed?' + +'In bed, Mrs Macintyre! Is it likely that I should be in bed when a +nasty, mean Scotch girl puts a horrid, common cat into it, and also a +great saucer of cream, which the cat spilt, injuring my favourite +edition of the works of Charles Dickens, which was given me by my +father on my last birthday? Will you kindly, Mrs Macintyre, _expel_ +that girl in the morning?' + +'Oh, my dear, I suppose you are alluding to Hollyhock?' + +'I 'm not; I 'm alluding to ugly Jack Lennox, beneath me in station, +beneath me in manners, beneath me in everything!' + +'Well, as to that,' said Mrs Macintyre, 'I'm sorry you are annoyed, +Leucha, but another girl would take the matter as a good joke, and win +the friendship of Hollyhock by overlooking the whole affair.' + +'I'm not that sort. I'm the daughter of the Earl of Crossways, and +she--she is nothing but a mischievous cad. She 'll ruin your school, +of course, Mrs Macintyre.' + +'I don't think so, my dear. I'm delighted to have her. As she has +annoyed you, and you wish it, I _must_ punish her, of course; but +whatever I do, I shall destroy neither her beauty nor her high rank.' + +'Her high rank, forsooth! What next?' + +'Yes; her father is the Honourable George Lennox, whose wife was a +Cameron, a near relative of the Duke of Ardshiel. I don't think there +is much difference between you in blood, Leucha, except the other way +round. We think a great deal indeed of the Duke in our region.' + +Leucha felt slightly stunned and more angry than ever. She knew well, +too well, that the Earl of Crossways was only the second earl of his +house, and that she had better not talk quite so loudly about her grand +lineage. + +'Do you _wish_ me to punish Hollyhock?' said Mrs Macintyre, fixing her +grave, gentle eyes on the angry girl's face. + +'Yes, of course I do--of course I do. Look at my hand!' + +'Oh, the poor cat has scratched it. I 'm sorry. I shall send Miss +Kent to you presently with a little cold cream to rub on it. You had +better keep it bandaged to-night, and it will be quite well to-morrow. +You must have frightened the cat or she would not have treated you like +that.' + +Leucha said nothing. She did not mention the fact that she had smacked +the cat's mistress. + +'I wish that young person, whatever her rank, to be punished,' she said. + +'Very well, my dear Leucha, come with me at once. I have now got to +hear _her_ side of the story.' + +'But surely you believe me?' + +'In a school like this, Leucha, I like to hear both sides. Whatever +happens among my girls, I must be impartial. Now come, for it is +getting late, and I myself must retire.' + +They went first of all into Leucha's room, which looked perfectly snug +and comfortable, all trace of the cat having been removed. + +'I see nothing wrong here,' said Mrs Macintyre. + +'She is too cute; she has hidden everything,' said Leucha. + +'Well, we 'll go to her room. Her room is next to yours. I thought, +being contrasts, you would be such friends.' + +Leucha shrugged her shoulders contemptuously, then waited with a +furiously beating heart while Mrs Macintyre knocked at Holly's door. + +'May I come in, my dear child?' she said gently. + +'Yes.' Hollyhock flew to the door and flung it open. 'Yes, please do, +dear Mrs Macintyre. I know I am a bold, bad girl.--Come in, Leuchy; I +don't mind you a bit.' + +'But how swollen your cheek is, my child!' said the head-mistress. + +'Oh, that's less than nothing. Poor little Jean is sleeping under my +bed, and if we talk too loud we may disturb her. I did it for +mischief. I 'm not going to deny it. I wanted to be friends with +Leuchy, but she would not have it; so then the soul of mischief got +into me, and I ran home to The Garden and fetched the cat, and put her +into Leuchy's bed. Oh! I know it was wrong of me. I 'm a bad Scots +lassie. But I love you, and I love the school, if only Leuchy there +would be friendly.' + +'Which I have no intention of being,' said Leucha. 'You see for +yourself, Mrs Macintyre, she denies nothing. She ran away without +leave to fetch that odious cat and put it in my bed.' + +'How did her cheek get so swollen?' said Mrs Macintyre. + +'Ah, well, we won't talk of that,' said Hollyhock. 'Girls that dare +must also endure. I 'm sorry Leuchy was so vexed and wouldn't make it +up.' + +'You are going to punish her, Mrs Macintyre,' said Leucha, 'are you +not?' + +'Yes, Leucha; but I 'm going to punish you too.-- Hollyhock, my +darling, you did wrong, and this your first day at school, too. The +punishment I am going to give you I 'm afraid you will feel. You may +take the kitchen cat back yourself to The Garden in the morning. You +had better start early, so as to be here again in time for breakfast, +and then you can tell your father that you will not return with your +sisters to The Garden on Saturday. I am sorry, my love; but order must +be maintained in the school. As to Leucha here, the story of the cat +will, I am sure, be known all over the school immediately; and Leucha, +when she shows her wounded hand, will have to explain _how_ she got +it--by slapping _you_ so violently on the cheek, thus rousing the +temper of the faithful cat. I shall insist on her publicly telling +what I know she did. Now, both girls, take your punishments like +gentlewomen and don't make a fuss. Good-night, good-night! I 'll send +Miss Kent to put a lotion on your cheek, Hollyhock, and to bind up your +hand, Leucha. Good-night! After prayers to-morrow the story of the +cat will be told, with, alas! Leucha's sad lack of forgiveness.' + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +THE GIRL WITH THE WAYWARD HEART. + +Hollyhock was a child who, with all her wildness, her insubordination, +her many faults, bore no malice. She did not know the meaning of +malice. The open look on her bonnie face alone proclaimed this fact. +She was really sorry for Leucha, and did not give her own swollen cheek +a serious thought. Of course it pained her, for Leucha had very hard, +bony little hands, and she struck, in her fury, with great violence. +But Hollyhock, as she termed it, would be but a poor thing if she +couldn't bear a scrap of pain. Nothing would induce her to grumble, +and although she bitterly regretted the punishment which lay before her +of not going home on Saturday, she would take it, as she expressed it, +'like a woman of sense.' + +Accordingly she got up early on the following morning, released poor +Jean, and carried her back to The Garden. There she put her into the +astonished arms of the old housekeeper, who said, 'Whatever ails ye, +lassie; and where did you find the cat?' + +'Here she is, and don't ask me any questions about her. Here she is, +safe and sound. She has been feeding on the richest cream, and if you +put her cosy by the fire, she 'll sleep off the effects. Is my Daddy +Dumps in, Mrs Duncan?' + +'Yes, my lassie; he 's at his breakfast.' + +'Well, I'm glad of that,' said Hollyhock. 'I have got to speak to him +for a minute, but I won't keep him long.' + +'Richt ye are, my dear; but whatever swelled your bonnie cheek like +that?' + +'Well,' said Hollyhock, 'it wasn't me, and it wasn't the cat; so don't +ask questions, for they won't be answered. I can't stop here. I must +go at once to Daddy Dumps. I have been a bad, wicked girl, and my +swollen cheek has been sent to me as a punishment.' + +'Whoever _dare_'---- began the old retainer, who in her heart of hearts +adored Hollyhock as the most precious of all the Garden Flowers. But +Hollyhock had left her. + +The cat was already asleep in her basket by the fire. George Lennox +was enjoying his excellent breakfast, and was busily planning out his +day. Lord Ian's work was remarkably heavy, and he missed his dear +Flowers. He was startled, therefore, when Hollyhock dashed into the +room. + +'Daddy Dumps,' she exclaimed, 'do not be frightened now, and don't pass +remarks on my swollen cheek. It was sent me as a punishment, and I 'm +not going to say to any one how I got it; but I 've come here, my own +Dumpy Dad, to tell you, darling, that your Hollyhock will not return on +Saturday with the four other Flower Girls. It's right, and I 'm +content. Good-bye, daddy; good-bye. I 'm struggling at that school, +and in a fight you often get a scar. When didn't the Camerons get a +scar, and weren't they proud of it, the bonnie men?' + +Before Mr Lennox could utter a word Hollyhock had rushed out of the +room, scarcely daring to speak any further or even to kiss her father, +for, with all her bravery, tears were very near her black eyes. + +She reached the big school in time for breakfast, where her swollen +cheek caused her adorers to look at her with amazed distress and +compassion, and Leucha and Daisy Watson to chuckle inwardly, whereas +the Fraser girls were as sorry for Hollyhock as they could be. + +Prayers followed breakfast; and then Leucha, by Mrs Macintyre's +command, had to discharge her painful task. She loathed the thing +unspeakably; but Mrs Macintyre had no idea of letting her off. + +'Come, Leucha,' she said, 'you have got something to say to your +companions. You are wearing a rag on your hand. Take it off.' + +'It hurts,' said Leucha, meaning her hand, for she clung to the rag as +a sort of flag of protection. + +'Take the rag off, and we 'll see for ourselves how much it hurts,' +said Mrs Macintyre. + +The girls and teachers all stood wondering by. The only one who felt +sorry was Hollyhock. The rag was removed, and Mrs Macintyre, gazing +keenly at the scratch, said in a disdainful voice, 'I never heard such +a fuss about nothing at all. Now, then, you will have the goodness to +tell the school in as few words as possible how you got that scratch on +your hand, and how Hollyhock got her poor face so swollen.' + +'It was the cat,' muttered Leucha. + +'The cat! What cat?' echoed from end to end of the long room. + +'Leucha, hold your head up and tell your story. If you don't tell it +at once, without any more shirking, I shall have you locked up for the +day in your room.' + +So Leucha, dreading this beyond anything--for a day in her room at the +present moment might mean anything--was forced to tell the story of the +previous night's adventure. She did tell it with all the venom of +which she was capable. She told it with her pale-blue eyes gleaming +spitefully. She was forced to go to the very bottom of the affair. + +'It was a silly trick, girls,' said Mrs Macintyre when the tale had +come to an end, 'and Hollyhock suffered, because the daughter of the +Earl of Crossways very nearly broke her jaw. Well, I 'm here to do my +duty. Leucha has had to explain. Another girl would have taken what +occurred simply as a joke and made nothing of it; but I grieve to say +that such is not Leucha Villiers's way; and as Hollyhock _did_ do +wrong, and as Leucha particularly _wishes_ it, I am forced to punish +her by not allowing her to go home on Saturday. It seems a pity; but +justice is justice, and Hollyhock is the first to think that herself.' + +'I am,' replied Hollyhock. + +'That's a dear child; and now you will try not to get into further +mischief.' + +But to this speech of kind Mrs Macintyre's Hollyhock made no answer, +for mischief was the breath of life to her, and to live without it was +practically to live without air, without food, without consolation. +She looked round the large and wondering school, and observed that all +eyes, with the exception of one pair, were fixed on her with great +compassion. + +'Hollyhock,' said Mrs Macintyre, 'is your cheek very painful?' + +'It hurts a bit,' said Hollyhock. + +'Then I think I must ask Dr Maguire to call round and look at it.' + +'Oh, don't, Mrs Macintyre! I deserved it--I did, truly.' + +But Mrs Macintyre had her way, and although she set the other girls to +their tasks, she provided Hollyhock with an amusing book, and placed +her near a great fire until Dr Maguire arrived and examined the +much-swollen cheek. + +'Why, you _have_ got a nasty blow, Miss Hollyhock,' he said. 'Did you +strike yourself against a tree, or something of that sort?' + +'No; 'tis nothing,' replied Hollyhock. + +'Well, however it happened is your secret; but I can only say that your +jaw was very nearly broken. It isn't broken, however, and I 'll get a +soothing liniment, which you are to keep on constantly during the day. +I suppose I mustn't inquire how this occurred?' + +'Best not,' said Mrs Macintyre; 'only get the dear child well.' + +'I won't be long over that job, with one like Miss Hollyhock.' + +So Hollyhock was petted very much all day; excused, by the doctor's +express orders, from all lessons; and sat cosily by the fire, enjoying +her new and very exciting story. By evening, however, the swelling had +gone down a great deal, and her mischievous spirit awoke again. The +girls, even the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, were positively +furious with Leucha, and more than ever took the part of the brilliant, +fascinating child, who had already won their hearts. + +It was the final straw to Lady Leucha when Barbara and Dorothy Fraser +declared boldly that they could not stand such a cruel fuss about +nothing. + +'If I were to tell our father, the Marquis, I really do not know what +he 'd say,' remarked Lady Dorothy. + +'_Almost_ to break a girl's jaw just for a mere joke,' added Lady +Barbara. 'Well, we intend to be friends with Hollyhock, whether you +wish it or not, Leucha.' + +So Lady Leucha felt herself to be the most desolate girl in the whole +school, the one person who clung to her side being little Daisy Watson, +whom she did not like and only put up with. + +The next morning Hollyhock was as well as ever, and told her sisters +that if Leuchy would make up with her, she was willing to extend the +hand of forgiveness. + +'You really are noble in your own funny way, Hollyhock,' said Jasmine. +She repeated Hollyhock's words to Leucha, taking care to do so when a +number of the girls were present. But Lady Leucha, whatever she was, +was obstinate. On her father's side she was well-born; but her mother +was a cross-grained lady, extremely ambitious and proud of nothing at +all, and Lady Leucha took after her mother. She wondered if it was +possible for her to get out of this odious school. + +She turned her white face, with her small, pale eyes, and fixed them on +Jasmine. 'I presume your silly sister wants an answer.' + +'She 's not silly,' replied Jasmine; 'but she would like an answer.' + +'Well, tell her from me that as far as the North Pole is from the +South, so am I from her, and ever will be. There now, what do you +think of that? I don't care who hears me. I 'm accustomed to ladies, +not to common little Scotch girls who tell lies.' + +Jasmine was too gentle, too firm, too really noble to make any +response; but as she went out of the room she was followed by a crowd +of girls, a few of whom turned round and hissed at Leucha. The hisses +were very soft, but, at the same time, very distinct; and this was the +final straw in the wretched girl's misery. + +As to Hollyhock, she was, greatly owing to Leucha's conduct, now the +ruling spirit in the school, not by any means as regards lessons, but +as regards what schoolgirls treasure so much, popularity and +good-fellowship. Even Barbara and Dorothy Fraser went boldly to her +side, and congratulated her on her self-restraint, and even apologised +for their cousin's unseemly conduct. + +Hollyhock's fine eyes lit up with a great glow. 'I do not care,' she +said. 'Poor lassie! I pity her; I do, truly!' + +'You are a wonderful girl, Hollyhock,' said Dorothy; 'and may my sister +and I join your circle to-night? And will you tell us some bogy tales?' + +'I will that,' said Hollyhock. + + 'And here's a hand, my trusty frien's, + And gie's a hand o' thine.' + + +She sang the words, and they were taken up immediately by every girl in +the school, with the exception of Leucha and the miserable, depressed +Daisy. But Hollyhock knew that she had her punishment to undergo. Was +not her own mother a Cameron of the great race, and would she disgrace +herself by crying out and making a fuss? 'The de'il is in me all the +same,' she whispered under her breath; 'but he 'll not show his little +horns until the Flower Girls are back at The Garden.' + +She was a passionate little poet, and she now sang softly under her +breath: + + The height of my disdain shall be + To laugh at him, to blush for thee; + To love thee still, but go no more + A-begging at a beggar's door.' + + +Then she burst forth in her really glorious voice with such fervour +that every girl within reach heard her: + + The meteor flag of England + Shall yet terrific burn, + Till danger's troubled night depart, + And the star of peace return. + Then, then, ye ocean-warriors! + Our song and feast shall flow + To the fame of your name, + When the storm has ceased to blow, + When the fiery fight is heard no more, + And the storm has ceased to blow!' + + +In spite of every effort, Hollyhock could not help putting a touch of +her beloved Scots accent into the great and glorious words of Thomas +Campbell. + +'Hollyhock, you 'll promise not to do any mischief while we are away?' +said Jasmine in her most coaxing voice when the hour for departure had +arrived. She hated beyond words leaving her sister at this crisis. + +'Ah, well,' replied Hollyhock, 'I'll make no promises. I 'll tell no +stories, and if things happen, why, then, I am not to blame.' + +'Oh, Holly darling, you frighten me!' + +'Don't be frightened, Jasmine; I 'm learning to be _such_ a good little +girl.' + +There was no help for it. The four Flower Girls departed, leaving the +fifth, and the naughty one, behind. + +Now it was as impossible for Hollyhock to keep out of mischief as it +was for the kitchen cat at The Garden to refuse to drink cream, but +Hollyhock meant at the same time to go warily to work. Some more fresh +girls were coming on this special Saturday, which made it all the +easier for her to carry out her little plan. The Fraser girls were now +devoted to her, but her slave--the one who would do anything on earth +for her--was Margaret Drummond. + +Hollyhock arranged, therefore, that Margaret should be her accomplice +on the present occasion. Her tales of bogies and ghosties--all of them +with a slight soupcon of truth in them--had excited the wonder and +fearful admiration of the schoolgirls, and when she suggested, as she +_did_ suggest, that 'poor little Leuchy might wipe the ghostie's hair +for her,' there was a perfect chorus of delighted applause. + +'But he won't come; he won't dare to come,' said Margaret Drummond. + +'Meg, hist, dear; let's whisper. Keep it to yourself. There's no +ghost; only they think, poor things, that there is, and that I dry his +dripping locks. Well, I want you to impersonate the ghost to-night. I +'ll dress you up, and you shall cross the path of Leuchy. Why, she'll +turn deadly white when she sees you at it.' + +'But, oh! I 'm frightened. I 'll get into trouble,' said Margaret. + +'And you won't do that for me? I thought for sure you loved me.' + +'I'd give my life for you,' said Margaret; 'but this is different.' + +'It's easy to talk about giving the life, for that's not asked; but +what I want is the love, and the proof of the love is that you shall +dress as poor ghostie, and beg in a _mighty_ mournful voice of Leuchy +to dry your dripping hair. I have got an old cloak and a peaked hat +that belonged to my grandmother's family, and I 'll alter your face a +wee bit, and nobody'll recognise you like that. Now come, Meg, you +won't refuse? I 'd do it myself, and do it well; only I _might_ be +discovered, but you wouldn't. Who'll think of Meg Drummond turning +into the ghost? You must clasp your skeleton hands and say _very_ +mournfully, "Dry my locks, sweet maid of England!" That's all. She'll +be sure to go out into the grounds, and the rest of us will be close +by, ready to catch her up if she swoons; and she 'll never guess to her +dying day but that she has seen a ghost.' + +The plot was prepared with immense care. It was the most tremendously +exciting thing that the girls had ever heard of, and even the Frasers +were drawn in, more particularly as the worst it could possibly do was +to give that naughty, proud Leucha a fright. They were very sick of +their cousin, and very angry with her; and it was finally decided that +the girl who was to come to her rescue in the moment of her terrible +extremity was to be Hollyhock herself. The others were all to fly out +of sight. Hollyhock was to desire ghostie to go, and was to support +Leucha into the house. After that--well, no one quite knew what would +come! + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +THE GREAT CONSPIRACY. + +There was suppressed excitement in the school, that sort which cannot +be described, but which most assuredly must be felt. Mrs Macintyre put +it down to the advent of the fifteen girls who had just arrived from +Edinburgh. + +Leucha stirred herself and made a vain endeavour to become friends with +them; but they were Scots to the backbone, and went over instantly in a +body to Hollyhock's circle. This was so immense now that it actually +comprised the entire school, except the poor miserable Daisy and the +naughty Leucha, whose anger against Hollyhock, combined with a kind of +undefined admiration, which she would not for the life of her admit, +grew fiercer and stronger hour by hour. It was like a great flame +burning in her breast. She would _do_ for Hollyhock yet, but how and +in what fashion? + +Hollyhock, meanwhile, collected her forces round her. The days were +getting very short. The nights were long and cold. Winter was on the +English girls--a Scottish winter, which caused them to shiver, +notwithstanding their comforts. Leucha was, however, far too proud to +confess that she did not like the weather. She spoke of the school in +tones of rapture to the new girls, who barely looked at her and +scarcely listened. Then they wont, some of them silently, some of them +with a rush, to Hollyhock. + +Leucha forced herself to praise the place, and nudged Daisy to do +likewise; but her praise was feigned, and the Scots girls did not pay +this uninteresting Leucha much attention. The fact that she had now +been a fortnight at the school did not affect them at all. The further +fact that she was the daughter of the Earl of Crossways had not the +least influence on them. They were jolly, merry, everyday sort of +girls; there was nothing specially remarkable about them, but as they +themselves said, 'Did not they belong to Old Scotia, and was not that +fact sufficient for any lassie?' Hollyhock entertained them in her +swift, bright way. She was not specially impressed by them, but they +were Scots of the Scots, as she was herself. + +So Leucha and the miserable Daisy spent their time alone, Leucha +arguing and wrangling with Daisy, and saying to her once or twice, +'What earthly good are you, Daisy Watson? Can you not think of any +plan by which to defeat that mischievous Scotch brat?' + +'I know of nothing,' replied Daisy. 'How can two English girls fight +against sixty and more? It isn't to be done, Leucha dear.' + +'It shall be done; it must be done!' retorted Leucha. + +'Well, I can't see my way,' replied Daisy. 'The best plan of all would +be for you to sink your silly pride, Leucha, and to join the others.' + +'And have _her_ queen it over me,' said Leucha. + +'Well, I don't see how you can help it,' answered Daisy. 'She _does_ +queen it over you, for it isn't only the Scots girls who turn to her, +but the English and the French. I don't see for myself what possible +hope you have. Never yet since the world was made could two overcome +sixty-eight. And, for that matter,' continued Daisy, 'I 'm feeling so +dull that although I _am_ fond of you, Leucha, I really am strongly +tempted to join that merry group, who are always singing and laughing +and making the hours go by on wings. It is very dull indeed for me to +have no one but you to talk to, and you grumbling all the time.' + +'Oh, I saw it would come to this,' said Leucha, rising in her rage. +'My last friend--my very last! I 'll write to mother and get her to +remove me from this school.' + +'Oh, I won't desert you, Leucha; only I do wish you were a little more +cheerful, and that we might join the others in their sport. You made +such a fuss just on the day Hollyhock came'---- + +'Don't mention her name; she makes me shudder!' + +'Well, I needn't; but you made such a fuss about securing the Summer +Parlour, and having a fire there, and concocting plans, and having a +lot of the girls with you--a great deal more than half the school; but +you never go near the Summer Parlour, and after to-night you won't have +any further right to it. Do come out, Leucha dear, and make another +effort to build up the fire. If the girls see us with a glowing fire, +a good many of them will come in for certain sure. I have been asking +the servants on the quiet how the thing is done, and it really seems to +be quite easy. You collect faggots, which I know I can get for you, +and small bits of coal; and I tell you what--whisper, Leucha--I have +been saving up a few candle-ends, and they are grand for making a fire +burn. Let's come along and try.' + +'No lady ought to know how to light a fire,' said Lady Leucha. + +'Oh, nonsense,' replied Daisy. 'It is a very good thing to learn; and, +anyhow, you needn't spoil your dainty fingers if _I_ undertake the job. +Nothing will collect the girls round us--the English girls, I +mean--like seeing us seated by the glowing fire.' + +'Well, anything is better than this,' said Leucha. 'And if you have +really collected the candle-ends and the faggots and the morsels of +coal, why, perhaps we 'll succeed.' + +'Yes, yes, of course we'll succeed,' said Daisy. 'What in the world is +there to hinder us? We have got our wits, I presume; and when we sit +in the Summer Parlour with a great blazing fire lighting up the place, +I shouldn't be a scrap surprised if Mary Barton, Agnes +Featherstonhaugh, and others joined us.' + +'I wouldn't have those Frasers now if they went on their bended knees,' +remarked Leucha; 'but if you will light the fire, Daisy, I don't mind +sitting by and watching you. I really, as the daughter of the Earl of +Crossways, cannot undertake so dirty a task.' + +'All right,' replied Daisy, 'if you do think so--and I'm quite as good +as you, remember--I 'll do my best. I 'll just run along now to the +Summer Parlour and see that the materials for lighting the fire are +there, Then I 'll come back and fetch you.' + +'Yes,' replied Leucha; 'I may as well see you at the job. You are +certain sure to fail, but conceit will have its way.' + +'Dear, dear,' thought Daisy Watson, 'what a very unpleasant girl Leucha +is becoming! I 'd leave her this blessed minute and go over to +Hollyhock, only perhaps Lady Crossways might be angry. Leucha gets +more like her mother each day--a kind of sneering look about her face, +which really gives her a most disagreeable expression. But friendship +is friendship, and I won't forsake her if I can help it.' + +So Daisy flew to the Summer Parlour, which was just perceptible in the +twilight. No place could look more cold and comfortless; but Daisy was +so madly anxious to do something that she set about her task with a +will. She had secretly purloined some faggots, bits of coal, and +candle-ends; but she had quite forgotten to ascertain whether the +faggots were dry or not; and she was equally ignorant of the fact that +as a rule even dry faggots require a small supply of paper to enable +them to 'catch' and attack the nice little black lumps of coal, which, +with the aid of the candle-ends, might yield a glowing, gleaming, +beautiful fire. She had made friends with one of the servants, and had +therefore an idea how to lay her fire. She had also secured a candle, +one solitary whole candle, which she placed in a brass candlestick. + +To all appearance everything was now ready. She felt certain that her +fire could not fail, and went back in high spirits to Leucha. + +'Come,' she said, 'come. I 'm ready to set fire to the pile.' + +A good many girls saw these two go out. They had wrapped themselves up +in warm cloaks, which were quite suited to the frosty weather. + +Leucha shivered as she walked in the direction of the Summer Parlour. +The new girls were now busily engaged at a private and luxurious tea +with Mrs Macintyre, which was the invariable tribute paid to each new +pupil. They were, therefore, out of the way. + +'The hour strikes,' said Hollyhock. 'Come along, Meg.' + +Meg shrank and shivered. 'Oh, but, Holly, I'd much rather not.' + +'It is too late to change now, dear Meg. You must just think of the +ghost, and the ghost only. Come at once to the ghostie's hut, and I +'ll dress you up.-- Lassies, the rest of you had best keep out of +sight, although you are welcome to linger in the shrubbery to see the +fun. But now listen. When _I_ give the words, "Go, ghostie! _Run_, +ghostie, run! I cannot dry your wet hair this night, for I have a +lassie lying in a swoon across my arms," then you must scatter, scatter +with all the speed you have in you, or the sport will be spoiled.' + +So, while Leucha and Daisy were struggling in vain with the fire in the +Summer Parlour, which flared up occasionally with a woeful gleam, and +then expired, and while Leucha felt crosser and crosser each moment, +and the night fell over the land, in the ghost's hut Margaret Drummond +was being dressed up to impersonate the hapless youth who had suffered +death by drowning on the night before his wedding. + +Hollyhock was in the wildest excitement as she arranged Margaret +Drummond for her part. Margaret was fortunately extremely tall and +thin. Her hands were made to represent those of a skeleton by means of +a quantity of white chalk and black charcoal. Her face was likewise +covered with this ghastly mixture. She was then wrapped from head to +foot in an old Cameron cloak, which Hollyhock had secured from The +Garden during the week. On her head she wore an old-fashioned peaked +hat and a wig with long, dripping locks. Her own hair had been tied +tightly out of sight. + +'You are wonderful,' sighed Hollyhock. 'There isn't a boy in the land +that could beat you. Now, then, stay where you are until I come to +fetch you. Then, when I say, "Fly, ghostie! away, ghostie!" you can go +back to the hut and take off the disguise which turns you into so +fearsome an object. I have brought a jug of hot water, and here is a +basin, and you can wash your face and hands. Leuchy will certainly not +recognise you. And now I must be off, for the conspiracy--the best of +all--has begun.' + +Hollyhock, beside herself with mirth, had, however, not forgotten to +give the poor ghostie an old-fashioned lantern, which she was to hold +in such a position as to show off her skeleton hands and ghastly face. +This was left lighted in the hut. There was little time to lose, for +soon the girls would be expected to return to the house for their +excellent Saturday supper, a special treat which was given to all those +girls who could not go home. + +Hollyhock rushed up to the Summer Parlour. The night was clear and +cold, but there was not a breath of wind blowing. All in vain the two +girls were bending over the fire, which refused to catch. Heaps of +girls were peeping in and watching the efforts of the two who were +trying to light the fire. + +'I never did _such_ dirty work in my life before,' said Lady Leucha. +'Come back to the house, Daisy. I shall be sick if I sit and shiver +here any longer.' + +'There 's one more bit of candle,' replied Daisy. 'Perhaps that will +do the job. I never heard of a fire being so difficult to set glowing.' + +'And I never heard of a girl being so vain and silly,' remarked Leucha. + +Hollyhock whispered to her companions, who immediately dispersed into +different parts of the grounds. The night was perfect for her purpose. +She felt half-mad with delight. She was only sorry for Daisy, who +meant no harm, but was in leading-strings to that proud Lady Leucha. +Leucha deserved her fate richly. Daisy did not. + +Hollyhock whispered certain directions to her followers to try to get +Daisy out of the way. This they promised, feeling quite sure that they +could easily manage it. + +Just as Daisy's last morsel of candle expired a voice sounded from +afar: 'Daisy Watson, you are wanted in the house. Go in as fast as you +can!' + +Two or three girls boldly entered the Summer Parlour, clasped Daisy by +both arms, and dragged her toward the house. Leucha was now alone. +She was wild with rage at this final desertion. + +Wrapping her cloak round her, she prepared to step out of the Parlour. +The Scots, the English, and the French girls all hid behind trees. +Hollyhock was near, but not too near. Leucha wrapped her cloak tightly +round her. It _was_ cold! She would be glad to get in out of the +bitter air. She made up her mind to write that very night to her +mother to remove her at any cost from this horrible school; but +although she made up her mind, she knew quite well that the said mother +would pay no attention to her. Was it not the aim of her life to have +her only girl educated in the Palace of the Kings? And she was the +last person to be influenced by mere girlish sadness and loneliness. + +All these thoughts flashed through Leucha's mind as she stepped into +the still, frosty night. She went a few yards; then she stood +motionless, transfixed, turned for the time being into stone. +What--what was this horror coming to meet her? A tall figure with +skeleton hands and face, wearing a very mournful expression in the +eyes--a figure that walked slowly, solemnly, such as she had certainly +_never_ seen before. She felt herself alone and a long way from home, +for the Summer Parlour was quite a distance from the house. The figure +held a lantern in its skeleton hands, which was so cleverly arranged +that it lit up the worn features and revealed the dripping locks. + +'Dry my hair, my wet hair!' cried the ghost in a deep sepulchral voice. +'Kind English maid, be so kind as to dry my hair!' + +Leucha gave vent to an irrepressible shriek of horror. She had always +hitherto laughed at the bare idea of the ghost; but now most truly she +believed it. The ghost--the ghost in very truth--was there. He was +facing her; he stood before her; he stood in her very path. How +mournful, how horrible, was his voice! How more than fearful was his +appearance! Her blood ran cold; her hair seemed to stand upright on +her head. Indescribable was her horror. + +'Go, ghostie!' suddenly cried a familiar voice, 'You have no right to +torment an English maid. I 'll come out presently and dry your locks; +but be off with you now, be off! Get away, or I'll never dry your +dripping locks again!' + +The ghost gave a hollow moan. There was the sound of many feet running +in different directions, and Leucha would certainly have fainted had +not Hollyhock put her firm young arm round her. + +Oh, how she hated Hollyhock! And yet how she loved her at that moment! +The warm feeling of human flesh and blood was delicious. Lady Leucha +clung to Hollyhock and laid her head on her shoulder. + +'Come, girlie; come,' said Hollyhock in her most seductive tones. 'My +Lord Alasdair had no right to ask _you_ to dry his locks. Lean on me, +lassie; lean on me. You did get an awful shock.' + +'Oh, oh,' sobbed Leucha, 'then I did see a ghost!' + +'You saw what you saw. Come along home now. I 'll see to you.' + +'You are--Hollyhock,' said Leucha. + +'Yes; and whyever not?' + +'Then there _is_ a ghost, and you are going to dry his hair! How _can_ +you--how _can_ you?' + +'Poor ghost! I must do my little bit to comfort him,' said Hollyhock. +'Eh, but you are a real brave lass, that you are, Leuchy, my pet. Now +lean on me, and I 'll bring you in to the cosy house, and the warm +fire, and the good supper. There's no malice in Hollyhock. She's only +a bit wild. Oh, but won't I give it to that ghost; he had no right to +ask those services of an English girl!' + +Firmer and firmer did Hollyhock support her trembling companion, and +the girl who hated her, but who clung to her so tightly at that moment, +entered the house with Hollyhock's arms about her. + +There were a number of girls in the great hall--the most magnificent +hall in the country. + +'Poor thing!' said Hollyhock, 'the ghostie walks this night, and I must +run to dry his wet locks; but get something hot for Leuchy to drink, +and comfort her all you can, lassies. A Scots ghost--my word! he had +no right to beg for the services of a maid from England. I of +Caledonia will go out and dry his wet locks!' + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +LEUCHA'S TERROR. + +While Leucha was undergoing her heavy punishment, and while the +supposed ghostie was walking in the grounds of the Palace of the Kings, +a very different group had assembled at the dear old Garden. Mrs +Constable's school, her Annex, was filling fast with the bonniest boys +that England and Scotland could produce. + +Mr Lennox kept a holiday for the great occasion, and on Saturday night +there were high jinks at The Garden. The only one of that happy party +who felt, in spite of herself, a little anxious, a little nervous, was +Jasmine, for she could not help being concerned about the defiant +expression in the bright eyes of Hollyhock. She thought of Holly +notwithstanding all the fun and the merriment, but the delight of +talking again to her dear brother-cousin Jasper dispelled her fears. +She had little time for serious thought. This was surely a right good +day, and she was soon enjoying it as fully as the rest. Of course, Mrs +Constable brought her strange laddies with her, as well as her own dear +boys, and many and gay were the songs they sang and the games they +played. Two of the songs they sang were the following, from the +beloved lips of Robert Burns: + + Ae fond kiss, and then we sever; + Ae fareweel, and then for ever! + Deep in heart-wrung tears I 'll pledge thee, + Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee. + + Had we never loved sae kindly! + Had we never loved sae blindly! + Never met--or never parted, + We had ne'er been broken-hearted. + + Fare-thee-weel, thou first and fairest! + Fare-thee-weel, thou best and dearest! + Thine be ilka joy and treasure, + Peace, enjoyment, love, and pleasure. + + +This pathetic song was immediately followed by the well-known strains +of 'Bonie Lesley:' + + O saw ye bonie Lesley, + As she gaed o'er the Border! + She's gane, like Alexander, + To spread her conquests farther! + + To see her is to love her, + And love but her for ever; + For Nature made her what she is, + And never made anither! + + Return again, fair Lesley, + Return to Caledonie! + That we may brag we hae a lass + There's nane again sae bonie! + + +'Come, children,' said Mrs Constable, 'we 'll not have any more Scots +songs at present. Some of us are not Scots, remember. I now propose a +really good game of charades. Who is agreed?' + +All went well, and better than well, and even Jasmine forgot her +undefined fears, until a little past ten o'clock, when a wild-looking, +half-scared girl rushed in and said, 'Oh, the poor thing--the poor +thing--and I meant no harm--I did not, really!' + +'What is the matter?' said Mr Lennox. + +'I am called Margaret Drummond, and there's such an awful to-do at the +Palace of the Kings that I 'm afraid to go back there!' + +'But what have _you_ to do with it? What can be wrong?' said Lennox. + +'Oh, I had a great deal to do with it; but, please, I 'd rather not +say, for the one I speak of bade me not to say. Oh, but there is a +fuss! It's poor Leucha. She's screaming and crying, and nothing will +help her. The doctor has been there, but he can't quiet her a bit. +She clings to Hollyhock and says, "Save me from the ghost; save me from +the ghost!" And the doctor says that if she is not quieted, she may +get really bad before the morning.' + +'Father,' said Jasmine suddenly, 'I know Margaret Drummond well, and +she's a fine girl; and if you'll allow me, I 'll go straight back with +her to the Palace of the Kings.' + +'But why should you, my love? Our Hollyhock has had nothing to do with +this!' + +'Nothing; less than nothing,' muttered Margaret Drummond. + +'She could not have had, for this girl, Leucha, or some such name, is +clinging to her. But still, if you wish to go, Jasmine, and think that +you can do any good, start away at once, my lass. You can come back +to-morrow morning.' + +So Jasmine went with Margaret, who looked really sick with terror, and +clung to her companion as Leucha had clung to Hollyhock. + +'There now, there now, we'll soon put things right,' said Jasmine. +'It's an awful pity that you don't tell the truth, Meg!' + +'I do tell the truth--I do. I cannot go back on my word.' + +'Well, then, you must leave the matter to me. The only thing I can do +is to soothe Leucha as best I can; while you must walk boldly into the +house. It's your bed-hour and past it, isn't it?' + +'Yes, yes; but I have no heart to eat or to sleep.' + +'Well, you go straight up to your room, Meg, and get into bed as fast +as you can, and I 'll bring you up something. If you have sworn +secrecy you must keep it; but whatever happens, don't be frightened. +Leucha is very weak of nerve, and has been feeling our desertion most +cruelly, I 'm thinking.' + +'Not a bit of it,' said Meg. 'She's a perfectly horrid girl. Even +Daisy has left her now!' + +'Dear, dear, poor thing!' said Jasmine. 'Then she must be lonely!' + +'She is, I have no doubt; but she has got our Hollyhock with her now.' + +'That is altogether too remarkable,' said Jasmine. 'I fear I shall +have to look into the mystery. But get you to bed, Meg. Don't appear +at all. I 'll see that some supper reaches you soon. In the meantime +I must attend to Leuchy and her new nurse, Hollyhock! My word! +Hollyhock turned into a nurse!' + +Accordingly, the two girls entered the great hall, which was empty +except for one or two teachers, who were still sitting up with anxious +expressions on their faces. + +Meg took the opportunity to fly to her room, where presently a great +bowl of Scots gruel was brought to her. She had long ere now carefully +removed the last traces of the ghostie. There was no sign of the ghost +about this commonplace girl any longer. She was glad to get her gruel, +and tumbled into bed, trusting that Jasmine, who was so wise and +clever, would put wrong right. But, alas for Margaret Drummond! wrong +is seldom put right in this world of ours without pain, and although +she slept soundly that night, her task of confession lay before her on +the following morning. + +Jasmine, entering the house, went boldly up to her sister's room, which +she found empty. She then, without knocking, opened the door of +Leucha's bedroom. Leucha was supported in bed by Hollyhock, who was +feeding her with morsels of choice and nourishing food, and was talking +to her in the gentlest and most soothing way. + +'Who is that?' said Leucha in an angry tone. + +Hollyhock looked annoyed for a moment, but then the irrepressible fun +in her nature sparkled in her bold, black eyes. She sat in such a +position that the pale-eyed Leucha was resting against her shoulder. +Her soft hands were gently soothing Leucha's long, thin hair, and she +kept on saying, 'Whist, lassie; whist! He did a daring thing, but he +'ll never do it again to you, my bonnie bit of London town.' + +'Are you sure, Hollyhock? Are you certain he won't come back?' + +'Haven't I dried his hair and sent him to his rest in the bottom of the +lake, and didn't I tell him not to dare to speak to a lady again who +was not Scottish born and bred? He was frightened, was the poor ghost, +and he went away _so_ humble. He would not go without my drying his +hair. No, no, you have nothing to fear!' + +'Oh Hollyhock, I hated you so much; but I love you now. I do really. +Couldn't you sleep in the bed with me?' + +'To be sure, my lassie; and whyever not? You got a nasty stroke of a +fright; but he 'll come no more. I wish with all my heart I could put +a bit of flesh on his skeleton hands and skeleton face. I do pity him +so much, so lonesome he is and so sad. But he won't trouble _you_ any +more, my little lass, and I 'll sleep beside you this night.' + +'Who is that coming into the room?' said Leucha, as Jasmine appeared on +the scene. + +'I've heard a great talk about a ghost,' said Jasmine. + +'Well,' cried Hollyhock, 'we had better drop the subject. The poor +thing is so frightened, she doesn't know what she's doing. I feel, +somehow, my whole heart drawn out to her. Leave her to me, for +goodness' sake, Jasmine. I'm just quieting her off. She's too excited +to talk about the ghost any more to-night.' + +'I 've seen the ghost--the real ghost,' said Leucha, looking with +hollow eyes at Jasmine. 'He does walk, and he's very tall, and has +skeleton hands and a skeleton face; and he asked me--_me_--to dry his +wet hair!' + +'Oh, do leave us alone now!' said Hollyhock. 'Am I not trying to +quieten her down, and you disturb everything?' + +'I must speak to you, Hollyhock; I really must.' + +'No, no; you mustn't leave me for a minute!' cried Leucha. 'You are +the only one with courage in the school. I 'd go mad if you were to +leave me now.' + +'I'll talk to you in the morning,' said Hollyhock. 'I cannot leave +her; see for yourself how excited she is.' + +Jasmine certainly saw that Leucha was terribly excited, that she had +got a fearful shock; and although _she_ could put Leucha's mind at +rest, on the other hand, Hollyhock, for the time, had won her round. +Hollyhock, the soul of mischief, whom Leucha had so openly defied, was +now her one support, her sole comfort. Jasmine made up her mind with +some reluctance to let the matter lie over until the morning; then, of +course, it must be told, and by Hollyhock herself. She felt sorry; for +this mischievous little sister had won the coldest heart of the coldest +girl in the school, and if justice was not done, she would cling to +Hollyhock for ever. Was it necessary that justice should be done? + +Jasmine went slowly away to her own room, determined to think matters +over very gravely, wondering if she would do a wise thing, after all, +in declaring Hollyhock's guilt. + +'What a girlie she is!' thought the sister. 'There never was her +equal. She really has achieved a marvellous victory; but, oh, it was +naughty; it was wrong! I do wonder what I ought to do!' + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +JASMINE'S RESOLVE. + +The whole circumstances of the case kept Jasmine wide awake during the +greater part of the night. She slept and woke again, and each time she +slept she saw a picture of her naughty sister Hollyhock and of that +unpleasant girl, Leucha Villiers, clinging together as though they +were, and always would be, the very greatest of friends. + +Now Leucha, in her way, was quite as troublesome an inmate of the +school as was Hollyhock; but whereas Hollyhock was the life and darling +of the school, Leucha, the uninteresting, the lonely, the proud, the +defiant, the cold, cold English girl, chose to be alone with the single +exception of a friend, who was as uninteresting as herself. + +Hollyhock, in the most extraordinary--yes, there is no doubt of it--in +the most _naughty_ way, had brought Leucha round to her side. But if +Leucha were told the truth that a hoax had been played upon her, that +there was no real ghost, then indeed her wrath would burn fiercely; +and, in fact, to put it briefly, there would start in the school a +profound feud. Several of the girls, more especially the English +girls, would go over to Leucha's side. Yes, without the slightest +doubt, a great deal of mischief would be done if she were told. Poor +little Jasmine had never before been confronted by so great a problem. +Hitherto in her sweet, pure life right had been right and wrong wrong; +but now what was right?--what _was_ wrong? + +She turned restlessly and feverishly on her pillow, and got up very +early in the morning, hoping to have a quiet talk first with Hollyhock, +then with Margaret Drummond. She was not particularly concerned about +Margaret, who naturally followed the lead of a strong character like +Hollyhock's. Nevertheless, she had left her the night before in such +stress of mind that whatever happened, whatever course they pursued, +she must be soothed and comforted. + +Jasmine was relieved to find Hollyhock standing outside Leucha's door. +Hollyhock looked quite wild and anxious. + +'Oh, but it's I that have had an awful night, Jasmine!' she exclaimed. +'She has gone off into a sleep now, poor thing; but I never, never did +think that she would take this matter so to heart. We mustn't tell +her, Jasmine. It would kill her if she knew.' + +'But, Holly, you really are incorrigible. How am I to go on in the +school if you play these terrible pranks?' + +'It's the mischief in me joined to a bit o' the de'il,' retorted +Hollyhock. 'But she must _never_ know--never. I have been up with her +the whole night, and she has just dropped off into slumber. I must go +back to her immediately. You won't tell, Jasmine darling? It would do +her a cruel wrong. I have brought her round to me at last, the poor, +ugly thing; but if she was to learn--to learn! Oh Jasmine, it would be +just too awful!' + +'Well,' said Jasmine, 'I do not see how we are to keep it from her; but +you have certainly won her in a most remarkable way. You must promise +me, Holly darling, that you 'll never play such a wicked prank again.' + +'Never--never to _her_, poor Leuchy! I can make no further promises, +being chock-full of mischief as an egg is full of meat.' + +'Well, I 'll allow it to remain as it is at present. I doubt if I 'm +doing right; and I doubt if it can be kept from her, for so many girls +in the school know.' + +'Oh, I 'll manage the girls. You leave them to me, Jasmine, and go +back to The Garden.' + +'It father knew what you had done he would not allow you back to The +Garden until the end of term,' replied Jasmine. + +'What! when I have won the bit speck of a heart of the coldest girl in +the school?' + +'Well, at any rate, we will let things be at present; but I must go up +and speak to Margaret Drummond. She is fretting like anything about +the whole affair.' + +'Meg,' said Hollyhock in a tone of contempt--'let her fret; only tell +her from me to keep her tongue from wagging. Why, she was cut out for +a ghostie, so thin and tall she is. I had only to use a wee bit of +chalk and a trifle of charcoal, and the deed was done. A more +beautiful live ghost could not be seen than Meg Drummond. She did look +a fearsome thing. I have put the old cloak and the Cameron's cocked +hat in a wee oak trunk in the ghost's hut. Here is the key of the +trunk, Jasmine. You run along and lock it. Now run, run, for I hear +Leucha twisting and turning in her sleep. I must get back to her. You +manage Meg, and lock the trunk, and we are all right--that we are.' + +Jasmine felt, on the contrary, that they were all wrong; but, overcome +by Hollyhock's superior strength, she obeyed her young, wild sister to +the letter. She found, however, that her task with Meg Drummond was no +easy one. Meg had a very sensitive conscience, and now that the fun +was over, and she was no longer acting as poor ghost with his dripping +locks, she felt truly horrified at what she had done. The only road to +peace was by confession. Of course she would confess and put things +all right; there was nothing else to be done. Nevertheless, after a +vast amount of arguing on the part of Jasmine, who assured her that if +she told the simple truth _now_, Leucha might and probably would become +most alarmingly ill, and that she would certainly hate poor Hollyhock +to her dying day--for Jasmine well grasped the true character of the +English girl--Meg began to waver. + +'Still, I _ought_ to confess,' said Margaret Drummond. 'I 'm willing +to accept any punishment Mrs Macintyre chooses to put upon me.' + +'Oh, dear Meg,' exclaimed Jasmine, 'I've been thinking the matter over +all night--backwards and forwards have I been twisting it in my +mind--and though I do think you did wrong, and Holly did _worse_ than +wrong, yet she has achieved a wonderful victory. She has secured for +herself the passionate love of the coldest and most uninteresting girl +in the school.' + +'I do not care for that,' said Margaret. 'She's just nothing at all to +me; and I did wrong, and I ought to confess, for the good of my soul.' + +'Oh, nonsense, Meg; don't be such a little Puritan. Leucha is far from +well now, and the only person who can calm and control her is Holly. +If you take Holly away from her, which you will do by confession, you +may possibly have to answer for Leucha's very life. Be sensible, Meg +dear, and wait at any rate until I come back on Monday morning.' + +'I 'll wait till then,' said Meg; 'but it's a mighty heavy burden, and +Holly had no right to put it on to me, and then to act the part of +comforter herself. My word! she is a queer lassie.' + +'Well, let things bide as they are till to-morrow at least,' said +Jasmine. 'And now I _must_ go home or father will wonder what is the +matter.' + +Jasmine, having made up her mind that Leucha was not to be told, went +with her usual Scots determination to work. She visited poor ghostie's +trunk in the hut, and having secured from her favourite Magsie a large +sheet of brown paper and some string, she not only locked the trunk, +but took away all signs of the adventure of the night before. The bits +of chalk, the sticks of black charcoal, the cloak, the pointed hat, the +wig, were all removed. The hut looked as neglected as ever, and the +trunk, empty of all tell-tale contents, had its key hung on a little +hook on the wall. + +Then Jasmine returned to The Garden, bearing ghostie's belongings with +her. All this happened at so early an hour that Jasmine had time to +put away the cloak of the Camerons, the peaked hat, the wet wig, into a +certain cupboard where they were usually kept in one of the attics. +She then went downstairs, had a hot bath, put on her prettiest Sunday +frock, and joined the others at breakfast. Of course, there were +innumerable questions asked her with regard to her sudden departure the +night before, and also with regard to the distracted-looking girl who +had burst into their midst in the great hall in The Garden. But +Jasmine, having made up her mind, made it up thoroughly. + +'I did not expect it of a Scots girl,' she remarked, 'but I 'm thinking +that all is right now, and we can enjoy our Sabbath rest without let or +hindrance.' + +Sunday was a day when Cecilia Constable and her brother brought up +their children with a strictness unknown in England. Games and fairy +tales were forbidden; but when kirk was over, they were all allowed to +enjoy themselves in pleasant and friendly intercourse. + +Meanwhile matters were not going well at the Palace of the Kings; for +Leucha, never strong mentally, had got so serious a fright that she was +now highly feverish, and neither the doctor nor Mrs Macintyre could +make out what was the matter with her. The girls were requested to +walk softly and whisper low. The house, by Dr Maguire's order, was +kept very still, and Hollyhock took possession of the sickroom. There +she nursed Leucha as only she could, soothing her, petting her, holding +her hand, and acting, according to Dr Maguire, in the most marvellous +manner. + +'Never did I see such a lassie,' was his remark. 'She has the gift of +the real nurse in her.--But, Miss Hollyhock,' he continued, 'you must +not be tied to this sickroom all day. I must 'phone to Edinburgh and +get a nurse to attend to the young lady.' + +'I 'll have no one but Hollyhock,' almost shrieked the distracted +Leucha. + +'Yes, doctor dear, I think you had best leave her to me. I 'm not a +bit tired, and we understand one another.' + +'I do believe this poor child has been up with her all night,' said Mrs +Macintyre. + +'And what if I have?' cried Holly. 'Is a friend worth anything it she +can't give up her night's rest? I 'll stay with my friend. We +understand one another.' + +So Hollyhock had her way; and although the girls whispered mysteriously +downstairs, and Meg Drummond looked ghastly and miserable, neither Mrs +Macintyre nor any of the teachers had the slightest suspicion of what +had really occurred. + +Daisy Watson, it is true, ventured to peep into Leucha's room; but the +excited girl told her, with a wild shriek, to go away and never come +near her again, and Hollyhock and Magsie managed Leucha between them. + +Hollyhock was now the soul of calm. She coaxed the sick girl to sleep, +and when she awoke she told her funny stories, which made her laugh; +and she herself sat during the greater part of that day with her hand +locked in the hot hand of Leucha. It was she who applied the soothing +eau de Cologne and water to Leucha's brow. It was she who swore to +Leucha that their friendship was to be henceforth great and eternal. +On one of these occasions, when Hollyhock had to go downstairs to one +of her meals, Leucha welcomed her back with beaming eyes. + +'Oh Hollyhock, I used to hate you!' + +'Don't trouble, lassie. You have taken another twist round the other +way, I 'm thinking.' + +'I have--I have. Oh Hollyhock, there never was anybody like you in the +world!' + +'I 'm bad enough when I like,' said Holly. 'Shall I sing you a bit of +a tune now? Would that comfort you?' + +'I 'm thinking of that awful ghost,' said Leucha. + +'Do not be silly, Leucha, my pet. Didn't I tell you he will not try +his hand again on an English girl? Now, then, I 'm going to sing +something so soothing, so soft, that you cannot, for a moment, but love +to listen.' + +The rich contralto voice rose and fell. The girl in the bed lay +motionless, absorbed, listening. This was sweet music indeed. Could +she have believed it possible that Hollyhock could put such marvellous +tenderness into her wonderful voice? + + 'Ye Hielands and ye Lowlands, + Oh! where hae ye been! + They hae slain the Earl o' Murray, + And hae laid him on the green. + + 'Now wae be to thee, Huntley, + And whairfore did ye say + I bade ye bring him wi' you, + But forbid you him to slay! + + 'He was a braw gallant, + And he rid at the ring, + And the bonnie Earl o' Murray, + Oh, he might hae been a king! + + He was a braw gallant, + And he played at the ba'; + And the bonnie Earl o' Murray + Was the flower amang them a'! + + 'He was a braw gallant, + And he played at the gluve; + And the bonnie Earl o' Murray, + Oh, he was the Queen's luve! + + 'Oh, lang will his lady + Look owre the Castle downe, + Ere she see the Earl o' Murray + Come sounding thro' the town!' + + +Leucha's eyes half closed, half opened, and she was soothed +inexpressibly by the lovely voice. Hollyhock, holding her hand, +continued: + + 'Oh, waly, waly up the bank, + And waly, waly doun the brae, + And waly, waly yon burnside, + Where I and my luve were wont to gae! + + 'Oh, waly, waly, gin luve be bonnie, + A little time while it is new! + And when 'tis auld it waxeth cauld, + And fades awa' like mornin' dew.' + + +The voice was now so soft, so altogether enticing, that it seemed to +the feverish girl as though angels were in the room. Hollyhock dropped +her notes to a yet lower key: + + 'Over the mountains + And over the waves, + Under the fountains + And under the graves; + Under floods that are deepest, + Which Neptune obey, + Over rocks that are steepest, + Love will find out the way!' + + +There was no sound at all in the room. The sick girl was sleeping +gently, peacefully--the unhappy, miserable girl--for _love had found +out the way_. + +When the doctor came in the evening, he was amazed at the change for +the better in his young patient. All the fever had left her, and she +lay very calm and quiet. Hollyhock suggested that a little camp-bed +should be put up in the room, in which she might sleep; and as her +power over Leucha was so remarkable, this suggestion was at once +acceded to both by Dr Maguire and Mrs Macintyre. They had been really +anxious about the girl in the morning; but now, owing to Hollyhock's +wonderful management, Leucha slept all night long, the beautiful sleep +of the weary and the happy. + +Once in the middle of the night Hollyhock heard her murmur to herself, +'Love will find out the way,' and she stretched out her hand +immediately, and touched that of Leucha, with a sort of divine +compassion which was part of the instinct of this extraordinary child. + +During the next few days Leucha was kept in bed and very quiet, and +Hollyhock was excused lessons, being otherwise occupied. But a girl, a +healthy girl, even though suffering from shock, quickly gets over it if +properly managed, and by the middle of the week Leucha was allowed to +go downstairs and sit in the ingle-nook, while the girls who had +hitherto detested her crowded round to congratulate their beloved +Hollyhock's friend. + +'Yes, she's all that,' said Hollyhock; 'and now those who want me to +talk with them and make myself agreeable must be friends with my dear +Leuchy, for where I go, there goes Leuchy. Eh, but she's a bonnie +lass, and she was treated cruel, first by our deserting her, and then +by what will not be named. But she 's all right now.--You belong to +me, Leuchy.' + +'That I do,' replied Leucha; and so marvellously had love found out the +way that the very expression of her unpleasant little face had +completely altered. As Hollyhock's friend, she was now admitted into +the greatest secrets of the school; but the real secret of the ghost +was still kept back. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +MEG'S CONSCIENCE. + +All went well for a time in the school, and all would have gone well +for a much longer period had it not been for Meg Drummond. Meg did not +mean to make mischief; but, alas! she was troubled by a conscience. +This she considered very virtuous and noble on her part; but she was +also troubled by something else, which was neither virtuous nor noble. +She seemed jealous--frantically jealous--of Leucha Villiers. + +Lady Crossways had spoken of her young daughter as 'my cold, +distinguished child, who never wears her heart on her sleeve.' Lady +Crossways was very proud of this trait in Leucha, and Leucha herself +was proud of it, and treasured and fostered it until she came across +Hollyhock. From the first she was attracted by Hollyhock--a queer sort +of attraction, a mingling of love and jealous hate; but now it was all +love, all devotion. As a matter of fact, she tried Hollyhock very +much, following her about like the kitchen cat when she smelt cream, +fawning upon her in a way which soon became repulsive to Hollyhock, +refusing to have any other friend, and over and over again in the day +kissing Hollyhock's hands, her brow, her cheeks, her lips. All this +sort of thing was pure torture to Hollyhock. But although she was +terribly tried, she determined to go through with her mission, and +hoped ere long to train Leucha into finer and grander ways. By their +father's permission, Leucha was invited to accompany the Flower Girls +to The Garden on a certain Saturday. The boys looked at her with +undisguised disdain, and expressed openly their astonishment at +Hollyhock's taste; but when she begged of them to be good to the poor +girlie, the Precious Stones succumbed, as they ever did, to bonnie +Hollyhock. + +The school had been open now for some time, and the full number of +seventy was made up. Leucha was now so infatuated with Hollyhock that +she no longer regretted her being the queen of the school. Hollyhock, +for her part, held serious conversations with her sisters about the +girl whom she had so strangely conquered. + +'We must make a woman of her,' said Hollyhock. 'She is naught in life +but a cringing kitchen cat at present, but it is our bounden duty to +turn her into something better. How shall we set to work, lassies?' + +The Flower Girls considered. Jasmine inquired anxiously if Leucha was +clever in any particular branch. + +'No,' said Hollyhock; 'she could not even make a ghostie.' + +'Well, can we not pretend that she is clever?' said Gentian. + +'That's a good notion,' exclaimed Hollyhock. 'I have heard whispers +that there are big prizes to be given in the school by the Duke to the +girls that are best in different subjects. _We_ don't want prizes, not +we; but that little Leuchy, she 'd be up to her eyes with joy if we +were to set her trying for a prize. I 'm thinking that Mrs Macintyre +will declare the nature of the prizes very soon. After prayers +to-morrow I 'll set Leuchy on to try for one. I 'll help her, if I +can, privately. She has got what I have not, and that's ambition. I +can work on that; and, lassies, it will be a great relief to me, for I +hate--I _hate_ being purred on and kissed all day long. I must put up +with it; but it's trying, seeing my own nature is contrariwise to that.' + +The five girls talked a while of the coming prizes. + +Leucha was now under the charge of Jasper, and they got on tolerably +well, for Jasper would do anything in the world for Hollyhock, and as +Hollyhock was the only love of Leucha's life, she talked on no other +subject whatsoever to the lad. + +'Well,' he exclaimed, 'you surely don't tell me that you kiss +her--_kiss_ Holly!--and she so prickly with thorns?' + +'Indeed, I do, Jasper. She loves my kisses; she would not take them +from any one else.' + +'Wonders will never cease,' said Jasper. 'I would not disgrace the +bonnie dear by stupid old kisses.' + +'But you are a boy, Jasper. You 're quite different,' said Leucha. + +'Well, I'm thinking not so very. I'm first cousin to her, remember, +which happens to be next door to brother. But there, let's talk of +something else. What mischief is the dear up to now?' + +Leucha related a few harmless little pranks, for Hollyhock did not dare +to give vent to her real spirit of mischief while Leucha clung round +her like the kitchen cat. + +The next day Leucha and the Flower Girls returned to the school, and, +as Hollyhock had predicted, Mrs Macintyre called her flock around her +and said that she had an announcement to make regarding an arrangement +winch would be a yearly feature in the school. Six prizes of great +magnificence were to be awarded at the Christmas 'break-up.' These +were as follows: + +(1) For efficiency in learning. + +(2) For those games now so well known in schools. + +(3) For the best essay of about one thousand words, the subject to be +selected by each girl herself. The only proviso was that she must not +tell the other girls who were competing what subject she had chosen; +otherwise an absolutely free choice was given, and even Mrs Macintyre +was not to know the subjects selected before the momentous day when the +papers were given in. + +(4) A prize for good conduct generally. + +(5) A prize for progress made in French, German, and Italian history +and conversation, the girls choosing, however, only one of these three +great languages. + +(6) And, greatest of all, a prize was to be given--and here the +head-mistress could not help glancing for a brief moment at her dearly +loved Hollyhock--to one of the girls who was so brave that she feared +nothing, and so kind-hearted that she won the deep affection of the +entire school. + +The prizes were the gift of the great Duke of Ardshiel, and were to +take the form of lockets with the Duke's own crest set on them in +sparkling diamonds. The girls were to choose their own subjects, and +in especial were to choose their own ordeal for the final test of +valour, no one interfering with them or influencing their choice. + +These prizes the Duke promised to present year after year. One +condition he made--that a girl who won a gold and diamond locket might +try again, but could not win a second locket; if successful, she would +receive in its place what was called 'A Scroll of Honour,' which was to +be signed by the great Ardshiel himself. + +Mrs Macintyre after this announcement requested her pupils to go at +once to their several tasks, only adding that she hoped to receive the +names of the girls who meant to try for the six lockets by the +following evening at latest. + +The great and thrilling subject of the prizes was on every one's lips, +and each and all declared that Hollyhock was certain to get the prize +for valour and good-fellowship. What the test would be nobody knew, +and Hollyhock kept her own thoughts to herself. She was deeply +concerned, however, to set Leucha to work, and had a long talk with her +friend on the evening of that day. + +'You can try for the essay, Leuchy dear,' she said. + +'No, I can't; I haven't got the gift. I have got _no_ gift except my +love for you. Oh, kiss me, Hollyhock; kiss me!' + +Hollyhock endured a moat fervent embrace. A voice in the distance was +heard saying, 'Little fool. _I_ cannot stand that nonsense!' + +'Who is talking?' said Leucha, standing back, her face assuming its old +unpleasant expression. + +'Oh, nobody worth thinking of, dear,' said Hollyhock, who knew quite +well, however, that Margaret Drummond was the speaker. Margaret had +not been friendly to her--not in the old passionate, worshipful +way--since the night of the ghostie. Hollyhock's present object, +however, was to get Leucha to put down her name for the essay, +explaining to her how great would be the glory of the happy winner of +the diamond locket. + +'You may be sure it is worth trying for,' said Hollyhock, 'for the +brave old Duke never does anything by halves.' + +'Ah, kiss me, kiss me,' said Leucha. 'I'd do anything for you; you +know that.' + +'I do; but we won't have much time for kissing when we are busy over +our different tasks. I 'll help you a good bit with your essay, +Leuchy. There's no name given to the subject, so what do you say to +calling it "The Kitchen Cat"?' + +'Oh, my word! I was angry with you then,' said Leucha. + +'So you were, my bonnie dearie, and I only did it out of the spirit of +mischief; but I can instruct you _right_ well in the ways of the +kitchen cat.' + +'I 've always hated cats,' said Leucha. + +'You cannot hate wee Jean, and I'll tell you all her bonnie ways.' + +'What subject are you going to take yourself, Holly?' + +'Oh, I--I 'm in the _danger zone_,' said Hollyhock, with a light laugh. + +'It terrifies me even now to think of that ghost!' + +'Don't be frightened, Leuchy. He means no harm, and he will not +trouble you again. So don't you trouble your bonnie head, but win the +glorious prize by an essay on the kitchen cat. I can assure you no one +else will choose _that_ subject, so you have the field to yourself, and +well you'll do the work. Don't I _know_ that you 'll get the beauteous +prize with the Duke's crest on it, in the stones that sparkle and +shine?' + +'Mother would like that well,' said Leucha. 'She would be just +delighted.' + +'Then try for your mother's sake, as well as your own.' + +'And you _will_ help me, Holly?' + +'To be sure I will. There 's no rule against one girl helping another. +I 'll show you the way it 's to be done, and with your brains, Leuchy, +you'll easily win the prize. Listen now; I 'll put my name down this +very night for the _danger zone_, and you put your name down for the +essay. Then we 'll both be all right.' + +The six subjects for competition were taken up by quite half the +school, the girls sending in their names under _noms de plume_ to Mrs +Macintyre, and in sealed envelopes. Never, surely, was there such an +exciting competition before, and never was there such eagerness shown +as by the various pupils who had resolved to try for the locket and +diamond crest of Ardshiel. + +All was indeed going smoothly, and all would have gone smoothly to the +end but for the jealous temperament of Margaret Drummond. For a time +she had remained faithful to Hollyhock, but, as she said to Jasmine, +the immortal soul in her breast troubled her, and as the days went by +and jealousy grew apace that immortal soul troubled her more and more. +The final straw came in an unlooked-for and unfortunate way. Leucha +had been asked to spend from Saturday to Monday at The Garden, and on +the following Saturday Margaret Drummond was to accompany the Flower +Girls to their home. The thought of going there and arguing about her +precious soul occupied her much during the week. She was also a fairly +clever girl, and was absorbed in the contest she had entered +for--'General Attainment of Knowledge.' But on Saturday morning there +came a disappointment to her, which roused her ire extremely. It was +news to the effect that Aunt Agnes Delacour was coming to The Garden, +and that she had written a peremptory letter asking that on the +occasion of this rare visit she herself should be the only guest. + +It was impossible not to accede to this request. Holly felt both angry +and alarmed, for she was not at all sure of Margaret Drummond; but +there was no help for it. On receiving her father's letter she went at +once to Margaret, who was packing her clothes for the great event, and +begged of her most earnestly to take the matter like a good lass, and +postpone her visit to The Garden until the following Saturday, giving +the true and only reason for this delay. + +'Oh!' said Margaret, 'I don't believe you, not for a minute. No woman +would wish to keep a poor girl from her promised enjoyment.' + +'You don't know Aunt Agnes, and at least it is not my fault, Margaret,' +said Hollyhock. + +'For that matter, I know a lot more than you think,' retorted Meg. +'But times have changed--ay, and much changed, too. I try to keep my +soul calm, but I am not a fool. You don't care for me as you did, +Hollyhock, and I imperilling my immortal soul all for you. You _are_ a +queer girl, Hollyhock Lennox, to forsake one like me, and to take up +with another, and she the shabbiest-natured pupil in the school.' + +'Indeed, indeed you mistake, Margaret,' said Hollyhock. 'I did +wrong--we both did wrong that night.' + +'Oh, _you_ did wrong, did you? You are prepared to confess, I take it?' + +'Oh Meg, to confess would be to ruin all. Have I not won her round? +Is she not better than she was?' + +'For my part,' said Meg, 'I see no change, except that she sits at your +feet and smothers you with kisses; but I have my own soul to think of, +and if you don't confess, Hollyhock Lennox, I have at least my duty to +perform.' + +'Please, please be careful, Meg. You don't know what awful mischief +you 'll do.' + +'I have to think of my soul,' replied Meg; 'but go your ways and enjoy +yourself. No, thank you, I don't want to go to your house this day +week. Perhaps I also can come round wee Leuchy. There's no saying +what you 'll see and what you 'll hear on Monday morning!' + +'Meg, you make me so wretched. Are you really going to tell her our +silly little trick?' + +'I make no promises; only I may as well say to you, Hollyhock, that my +mind is made up.' + +Hollyhock felt almost sick with terror. She flew to Jasmine and got +her to talk to Margaret Drummond, but Margaret had the obstinacy of a +very jealous nature. She was obstinate now to the last degree, and the +departure of the Flower Girls gave her a clear field. + +Leucha was extremely lonely without Hollyhock. In her presence she was +cheerful and bright, but without her she was lonely. Tears stood in +her eyes as she bade Hollyhock good-bye, and Hollyhock clasped her to +her heart, feeling as she did so that all was lost, that all efforts +were in vain, that she herself would be publicly disgraced, and that +Leucha would naturally never speak to her again. These things might +come to pass at once. As it was, they did come to pass a little later +on, but on this special Saturday there was a slight reprieve both for +Leucha and for Hollyhock. + +Mrs Drummond drove over from Edinburgh in a luxurious motor-car and +took her daughter away, promising to send her back to the school on the +following Monday morning. + +Margaret devotedly loved her mother, and was not long in her presence +before the entire story of the ghost and her part therein was revealed. +Mrs Drummond was a most severe Calvinist, a puritan of the narrowest +type. She was shocked beyond measure with her daughter's narrative. +She sat down at once and read her a long chapter out of the Holy Book +on all liars and their awful fate. + +Margaret shivered as she listened to her mother's words. + +'My dear,' said Mrs Drummond, 'if you do not confess and get that +wicked Hollyhock--what a name!--into the trouble she deserves, you have +your share with those of whom I'm reading. I'll come with you on +Monday morning, and you 'll stand up in front of the entire school and +tell what you and Hollyhock did. Mrs Macintyre will lose her school if +such a thing is allowed.' + +'But, oh, mother, I do love Hollyhock. Is there no other way out?' + +'Having sinned,' said Mrs Drummond, 'you must repent. Having done the +wicked thing, you must tell of it. Mrs Macintyre will be very shocked, +but I think nothing of that. It is my lassie I have to think of. It +was Providence sent me to fetch you home to-day! There's no other way +out. Confession--full confession--is the only course. You must stand +up and do your part, and that wicked girl will as likely as not be +expelled.' + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +THERE IS NO WAY OUT. + +Hollyhock did not exactly know how she felt during that visit to the +dearly beloved old Garden. Besides the unwelcome presence of Aunt +Agnes, there was a fear over her which was wholly and completely moral, +for Hollyhock had, as may well be remarked, no physical fear +whatsoever. She was the sort of girl, however, to keep even moral +fears to herself, and she returned to the Palace of the Kings on Monday +morning, hoping for the best. So far everything seemed to be all right. + +Leucha rushed to her friend, clasped her and kissed her, said how +deeply she had missed her, and how she had longed beyond words during +the latter half of Saturday and on Sunday for Hollyhock's return. + +Meg, then, had been better than Hollyhock expected. When all was said +and done, Meg was good and true. Hollyhock made up her mind to be +specially good to Meg in future, to compensate her for her late +neglect--in short, to soothe her ruffled feelings and to feel for her +that love and admiration which the Scots girl had given to her in the +past. But where was Meg? + +Hollyhock's quick eyes looked round the room, looked round the spacious +hall, looked round the vast breakfast parlour. There was no sign of +Meg anywhere. This puzzled her a little, but did not render her +uneasy; and as no other girl in the school said a word about Meg +Drummond--she was not a favourite by any means, and never would +be--Hollyhock came to the conclusion that the poor thing must be ill, +and must have taken to her bed, in which case she would inquire for her +tenderly when the right time came, and thank her affectionately for her +loving forbearance. + +But, alack and alas! just as breakfast was coming to an end, there was +a whir and a hoot, and a motor-car was heard rushing up the spacious +avenue and stopping before the great front-door. + +A girl who was seated next to Hollyhock said, 'That must be Meg +Drummond coming back. About an hour after you left us, Hollyhock, her +mother came and fetched her. Why, there she is, to be sure, and her +mother along with her. Whatever can be wrong?' + +Hollyhock felt a fearful sinking at her heart. She longed to rush +Leucha, poor little Leucha, out of the school, to hide her, to screen +her from what was certain to follow. But she was too stunned by these +unexpected events to say a word or take any action. + +'You are a little white, Hollyhock,' said Leucha, who was seated at her +side. 'Don't you feel well?' + +'Oh, Leucha darling, don't ask me. It's all up with me,' groaned +Hollyhock. 'Oh Leucha, say once again that you love me!' + +'Love you, Holly? I love no one in the world as I love you!' + +'Well, you have said it for the last time,' thought poor Hollyhock to +herself. Her little victory, her little triumph, was at an end, for +Hollyhock knew Leucha far too well to believe for an instant that she +would forgive a horrible hoax played upon her. + +If Meg Drummond was a cold, severe-looking girl, she was not nearly so +severe or so cold as her mother. Mrs Drummond, accompanied by her +daughter, entered the great hall, where prayers were to be said, with a +face of icy marble. Proud indeed was she in spirit; determined was she +in action. She would save her precious daughter's soul alive, come +what might. No other girl was of any importance to Mrs Drummond. Meg +was her all, and she was wrecked--yes, wrecked--on the ghastly rock of +sin. The Devil would claim Meg, unless she, her mother, came to the +rescue. + +Mrs Macintyre was somewhat surprised at the arrival of Mrs Drummond, a +woman to whom she did not at all take. For that matter, she had never +been enamoured of Meg herself, considering her beneath the other girls +in the school; but when Mrs Drummond whispered to her, 'I have come on +a matter of awful importance, and I'll thank you to conduct the Lord's +Prayer and the hymns and the other religious exercises, and _then_ you +'ll know why I have come.' + +This was such a very remarkable speech that Mrs Macintyre bowed stiffly +and offered the good lady a chair. + +Prayers were conducted as usual, the girls singing and joining in the +Lord's Prayer. Then Mrs Macintyre made a brief petition that God +Almighty might help her and her teachers and her beloved pupils to work +harmoniously through the hours of the week just beginning. + +The moment she rose from her knees, she was about to dismiss the pupils +to their different tasks, when Mrs Drummond, tall and gaunt, stood up +and waved a menacing hand. + +'One moment, girls; I have something to say to you, or, rather, my +young daughter has something to say, which is in the nature of a black +confession. It relates principally to herself and a girl in this +school called Hollyhock. She has now to go through an awful +confession, which will hurt her more than a little; but if she holds +nothing back, her immortal soul may be saved in the Great Day. But +there is _another_ who has sinned far deeper than my Meg, and I leave +it to Mrs Macintyre to settle with her by expelling her from this +school. Now then, Meg, think of the Judgment Seat and tell your tale.' + +Meg, who would be precisely like her mother at her mother's age, now +stood up, flung a vindictive glance at Hollyhock, and began her story. + +'I was drawn into it. That Hollyhock had a way with her, and I was +drawn in. I consented to an awful sin. It has lain on my conscience +until I felt nearly mad. Well, Mrs Macintyre and my dear teachers and +you girls, listen and beware. You may recall a certain night when +there was great agitation in this school, because it was said that the +poor ghostie had walked. The thought of that ghostie nearly drove an +English girl out of her mind; but I am prepared to clear up the matter. + +'Now for the true story. The ghost was no ghost. It was me, my own +self, who, ruled by Hollyhock there, went into what we call the ghost's +hut, and allowed myself to be chalked and then blackened with charcoal +on the hands and face so as to look like a skeleton, and then wrapped +in a cloak of the Camerons, and my hair tied up tight, and a peaked hat +put on me over a wig which had been flung into water. I 'm told that I +looked something _fearful_; and the one who did the deed, and drew me, +an innocent girl, into this mess, was Hollyhock Lennox. A poor English +girl went almost raving mad, and no one could tell but that a real +ghost had been about. Well, _I'm_ the ghost, and the wicked one who +led me astray was Hollyhock Lennox. After that she was frightened, +seeing the effect of the ghost on poor Leucha, and she got me for a +long time not to tell, and she won the heart of Leucha, coming round +her as only she knows how. But if _I_ know Leucha, she won't put up +any more with what was nothing but a hoax.-- Will you, Leucha; will +you?' + +'Is it true?' said Leucha, turning a ghastly-white face and looking at +Hollyhock. + +'Oh Leuchy,' half-sobbed Hollyhock, 'it is true, every word of it. It +was the spirit of mischief that entered into me. But, oh, Leuchy, +Leuchy, when you were so bad my whole heart went out to you, and you +'ll forgive your own Holly? For, see for yourself, I love you, +Leuchy--see it for yourself.' + +'And I _don't_ love you,' said Leucha. 'You have played on me the +vilest trick I ever heard of, and I'll never believe in you again, or +speak to you again!--Please, Mrs Macintyre, this is too much; my head +reels badly, so may I go out of the room for a few minutes?' + +'I had to save my immortal soul,' said Meg, casting down her pious +eyes, and rejoicing in the mischief which she had effectually achieved. + +'My precious one, you are safe now,' said Mrs Drummond. 'I have stood +by and listened to a full confession. But what'll you do to that bad, +black-haired girl, Mrs Macintyre? To have her publicly expelled is +what _I 'd_ recommend.' + +'Yes, my dear lady,' replied Mrs Macintyre; 'but you do not happen to +be the mistress of the school. I shall take my own course. You can +remove your own daughter if you wish, Mrs Drummond, whose behaviour, in +my opinion, was many degrees worse than Hollyhock's.' + +'What do you mean by that?' + +'Hollyhock certainly did wrong to allow your girl to impersonate the +ghost; but afterwards, in the most noble way, she won the affections of +the must difficult girl in the school. Now I fear, I greatly tear, we +shall have much trouble with Leucha Villiers; but nothing will induce +me to expel Hollyhock.-- No, my dear little girl; you did wrong, of a +certainty, but you are too much loved in this school for us to do +without you.-- Now, Mrs Drummond, do you wish to remove Margaret from +the school? Because, if so, it can easily be done, and I shall send up +my maid, Magsie, to pack her clothes.' + +'It _might_ be right,' said Mrs Drummond, who was considerably amazed +at Mrs Macintyre's manner of taking the whole occurrence, 'but at the +same time I have no wish to deprive my daughter of the chance of +getting the Ardshiel diamond crest locket. It would be the kind of +thing that her father would have taken pride in. I myself have no wish +for worldly pride and precious stones and such like. Nevertheless, it +would be hard to rob my child of the chance of getting the locket.' + +'As you please,' said Mrs Macintyre with great coldness. 'Only I have +one thing to insist upon.' + +'Indeed, madam! And what may that be?' + +'It is that Margaret Drummond shall have no dealings whatsoever with +Leucha Villiers. As to Hollyhock, I can manage her myself. Now +perhaps, madam, you will return to Edinburgh and allow the routine of +the school to go on under _my_ guidance, I being the head-mistress, +_not_ you!' + +Mrs Drummond went away in a wild fury. She certainly would have taken +Meg with her, but the pride of having her commonplace daughter educated +in the Palace of the Kings, joined to her pride in the very great +possibility--in fact, the certainty in her imagination--of Meg's +winning one of the gold and diamond lockets, made her swallow her +indignation as best she could. She kissed Meg after her icy fashion, +and said some furious words in a low tone to the young girl. + +'You managed things badly, Meg. That dark girl ought to have been +expelled.' + +'But, mother, I should have loved to see the day,' said Meg. 'I don't +seem to have got much good out of my confession after all.' + +'Your soul, child, the salvation of your soul, is gained;' and with +these last words the self-righteous woman went away. + +Certainly that was a most confusing morning at the school. Poor Mrs +Macintyre had never felt nearer despair. The trick which had been +played she regarded with due and proper abhorrence, but the way in +which it had been declared by Meg made her feel sick, and worse than +sick, at heart. She sent for Hollyhock first, and had a long talk with +her. + +'Ah, my child, my child,' she said, 'why will you let your naughty and +mischievous spirit get the better of you?' + +'I couldn't help it,' replied Hollyhock, who felt as near to tears as a +daughter of the Camerons could be; 'but you see for your own self what +Leuchy was before I played my prank, and what she has been since. Now +I'm much afraid that all is up, and she 'll never love me any +more--poor Leuchy!' + +'Hollyhock, you really have been exceedingly naughty, but your conduct +to Leucha _after_ her terrible fright has been _splendid_; and although +I greatly fear, knowing Leucha's character, that you will find it +difficult to get back her love, yet there are many others in the +school, my child, who love you, and who will love you for ever.' + +'Yes; but it was Leuchy I wanted,' said Hollyhock. 'The others were so +easy to win. I could always win love; but Leuchy, she's so cold, and +now she's frozen up, like marble, she is.' + +'You must take that as your punishment, for no other punishment will I +give you, except to ask you not to play that kind of practical joke +again.' + +'Oh my!' exclaimed Hollyhock, 'but the mischief is in me. I dare not +make a promise. You would not, if you had a wild heart like mine.' + +'Well, Hollyhock, I shall expect, for the honour of the school, that +you will do your _best_. And one thing I must ask of you--it is this. +Meg feels herself very superior, with the superiority of the Pharisee. +Most of the girls in the school will hate her for what she said to-day; +but I want you, as a dear friend, to take her part.' + +'Oh, but that 'll be hard,' said Hollyhock. + +'The divine grace can help you, my child. I 'm not one of the "unco +guid," but I believe most fully in the all-prevailing love of the great +God and His Son, our blessed Saviour. Now kiss me, and go to your +lessons as though nothing had happened.' + +'But Leuchy!' exclaimed Hollyhock. + +'I'll manage Leucha. I greatly fear that I shall have a difficult +task, but I shall let you know to-morrow at latest what attitude she +intends to take up. A girl of broader, nobler views would, of course, +see the joke and make fun of it; but Leucha, in her way, is as narrow +as Meg is in hers.' + +'Oh dear, oh dear!' sighed Hollyhock. 'Well, at all events, I 'll get +rid of her kisses. Oh, they were _so_ trying!' + +'I saw that you hated them, my child.' + +'Did you notice that, Mrs Macintyre? How wonderful you are!' + +'No, my dear baby. But I, who equally hate being kissed, saw what you +were enduring in a noble cause. It _may_ come right in the end, +Hollyhock. We must hope for the best.' + +'Oh, but you are a darling!' said Hollyhock, flinging her arms round +the head-mistress's neck. 'Oh, but I love you!' + +'And for my sake you 'll abstain from tricks in the school?' + +'I 'll not promise; but, at the same time, I 'll do my level best.' + +Hollyhock, notwithstanding Mrs Macintyre's great kindness, spent a +really wretched day. She kept her word, however, as she had promised, +with regard to Meg, and during morning recess went to her side, and +tried with all that wonderful charm she possessed to be kind to her. +She did not allude to Meg's confession, but spoke to her with all her +old affection. Meg stared at the girl whom she now considered her +enemy in haughty surprise, refused to reply to any of Hollyhock's +endearments, and walked away with her head in the air. + +'You dare,' she exclaimed at last, 'when you know too well that you +ought to be expelled!' + +Meg then turned her back on Hollyhock, but was followed in her +self-imposed exile by the laughter and jeers of most of the girls in +the school, who flocked eagerly round their favourite, telling her that +they at least would ever and always be her dearest friends. Many of +the said girls assured poor Hollyhock that they were glad that the +nasty _kissing_ English girl was no longer to divide them from their +lively favourite. But Hollyhock's most loving heart was really full of +Leucha. Her nature could not by any possibility really suit Leucha's, +but Holly had taken her up, and it would be very hard now for her to +withdraw her love. Besides, she had done wrong--very wrong--and Leuchy +had a right to be angry. + +During the whole of that miserable day Leucha absented herself from the +school, and all Mrs Macintyre's words proved so far in vain. She had +no good news to give Hollyhock; therefore she told her nothing. But +toward evening she had a very grave conversation with Jasmine, who made +a proposal of her own. If this idea fell through, Mrs Macintyre felt +that the mean nature of Meg, joined to the yet meaner nature of Leucha +herself, must for the present at least win the day. She had some hope +in this plan, but meanwhile her warm heart was full of sorrow for her +bonnie Hollyhock. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +THE END OF LOVE. + +The plan was carried into effect. Mr Lennox was consulted, and being +the best and most amiable of men, after talking for a short time to his +young daughter Jasmine, he went over and had a consultation with Mrs +Macintyre. Mrs Macintyre agreed most eagerly to Jasmine's suggestion, +and accordingly, two days after Meg had 'saved her immortal soul,' +Leucha and Jasmine were excused lessons--Leucha on the plea of +ill-health, Jasmine because she wished to help her darling Hollyhock's +friend. + +The two girls were excused lessons; as for preparation for the prize +competition, that they might go on with or not, as they wished. +Jasmine had no love for gems, but she would like to gain one of the +lockets containing the great crest of her mother's people, her own +ancestors. But if she lost it, she would be the last girl to fret. +She had as little ambition in her as had Hollyhock herself. Leucha, on +the other hand, was keenly anxious to get the famous crest locket, and +when Jasmine assured her that she would have ample opportunities of +studying the ways of wee Jean, she condescended to accompany Jasmine to +The Garden. + +She found The Garden, however, very dull. She found the kitchen cat, +whenever she came across her, intolerable; she scared wee Jean away +from her, saying, 'Get away, you ugly beast!' and took not the +slightest pains to make herself agreeable. + +Hollyhock, with tears very, very near her black eyes, had implored of +Jasper to come to her assistance and tell home truths in his plain +Scots way to the English girl. This Jasper promptly promised to do, +and his mother gave him leave to go over from the Annex to The Garden, +in order to help Leucha. + +Jasmine, with all her strength of character, was too gentle for the +task she had undertaken; but there was no gentleness about fierce young +Jasper. He naturally thought that Holly, the dear that she was, had +gone too far; but he could not stand a common-place girl like Leuchy +making such a row. + +Now the facts were simply these. Leucha hated, with a violent, +passionate, wicked hate, all the terrible past; but she still +loved--loved as she could not believe possible--that black-eyed lass +Hollyhock. Hollyhock had played a horrid trick on her; nevertheless +Leucha loved her, and mourned for her, and was perfectly wretched at +The Garden without her. + +Oh no, she would never be _friends_ with her again--_never_! Such a +thing was impossible; but nevertheless she loved--she loved Hollyhock, +with a sort of craving which caused her to long to see the bright glint +in her eyes and the bonnie smile round her lips. As for Jasmine, she +was less than nothing in Leucha's eyes. Hollyhock, although she would +not say it for the world, was all in all to the miserable, proud, silly +girl. + +Hollyhock's heart was also aching for Leucha, and her anxiety was great +with regard to what was taking place at The Garden. Would Jasmine and +Jasper between them have any effect on Leuchy? Hollyhock felt for the +first time in her life feverish, miserable, and anxious. She could not +sleep well at nights; her nights were haunted by dreams of Leucha and +the wicked things she herself had done as a mere frolic. But there was +no news from The Garden, and she had to bear her restless suffering as +best she could. Gladly now would she have submitted to Leuchy's +kisses, if Leuchy would come back to her friend. + +Meg walked with pious mien about the grounds of Ardshiel; her +conscience was at rest. She won the affections of a certain number of +the new Scots girls, and tried her best to set them against Hollyhock; +but there was a magical influence about Hollyhock which prevented any +girl being set against her; and although the girls _did_ say that Meg +had a sturdy conscience, and that she must be very happy to have made +her confession, yet as the evening hour drew on they returned, as +though spell-bound, to Hollyhock's side to listen with fascinated eyes +and half-open mouths to her tales of bogies and ghosties. + +Poor Hollyhock was feeling so restless and despairing that she threw +extra venom into her narratives, making the ghosts worse than any +ghosts that were ever heard of before, and the bogies and witches more +subtle and more vicious. Meg did not dare to come near, but she looked +with contempt at her friends who were so easily drawn to Hollyhock's +side. + +Meanwhile, at The Garden the days and hours were passing. Mr Lennox +was entirely absorbed with his work, and saw little or nothing of his +children. What little he did see of Leucha he disliked, and he thought +his dear Hollyhock far too kind to her. On the following Sunday he +would speak to Hollyhock, and tell her not to play those silly tricks +again. Otherwise he had no time to consider the matter. + +But, on a certain day--Thursday, to be accurate--Jasper, having been +prepared beforehand by Jasmine, had a talk alone with Leucha. He was +really sick of Leucha by this time, and meant to use plain words. + +'Well, you are a poor thing,' he began. + +'What do you mean?' said Leucha, turning white in her anger. + +'Why, here you are in one of the grandest and best houses in the +country, petted and fussed over, and just because my cousin Hollyhock +chose to play a prank on you. My word! she might play twenty pranks on +me and I 'd love her all the more.' + +'You're a boy; you are different! She nearly killed me, if that's what +you call love!' + +'Nearly killed you, indeed! Not a bit of it! I 'm thinking it would +take a lot to finish you off. Many and many a trick would have to be +played before you 'd expire.' + +'You are talking in a very rude way,' said Leucha. + +'I 'm not. I know what I 'm about!' + +'Then you surely do not dare to tell me to my face that your cousin did +right in frightening me so terribly?' + +'I 'm not saying anything so silly. I know too well the kind you are +made of, Leuchy Villiers. Hollyhock did wrong, and Meg did, to my +thinking, a sight worse.' + +'Meg was really noble,' said Leucha. + +'If _that's_ your idea of nobleness, keep it and treasure it all your +life.' + +'Meg had to save her soul,' said Leucha. + +'Oh, my word!' cried Jasper; 'and is our darling Hollyhock's soul of no +account?' + +'Well, she thinks nothing of the freak which nearly killed me.' + +'Nothing of it? Little you know! Do you forget she sat up with you +resting against her breast the whole of the first night, and had a +camp-bed put into your room by doctor's orders and your own wish, and +sang you to sleep with that voice of hers that would melt the heart of +a stone, no less? If she loved you? But it has not melted your heart. +If she was what you think her to be, would she have troubled herself as +she did about you? Would she give up her sport and her fun and her +joy, her pleasures, for one like you?' + +'I 'm the daughter of the Earl of Crossways,' said Leucha. + +'Well,' answered Jasper, 'I can't say much for his daughter. I tell +you frankly and truly, Leucha, that if you were a brave lass and +well-bred, you 'd take a joke as a joke, and think no more about it; +but, being what you are, I have little hope of you. It's the best +thing that could have happened to Hollyhock to have got rid of one like +you. You are not fit to hold a candle to her. I have no liking for +you, and now I'm going back to the Annex. I cannot stand the sight of +you, with your sulks and your obstinacy. Oh! the bonnie lass, that you +think so cruel. I can only say that I hope she will get a better +friend than _you_, Leucha Villiers.' + +After this speech, Leucha was found by Jasmine in a flood of tears. +Jasper had returned to the Annex, his sole remark to his mother being +that he was wasting his precious time at The Garden over the conversion +of a hopeless girl. + +Late that evening Leucha went into Jasmine's bedroom. 'I 'm very +unhappy here and everywhere,' she said; 'but this place is worse even +than the school. At school I shall doubtless find many friends to +welcome me, so I 'm returning to the Palace of the Kings to-morrow.' + +'Well, I 'm glad, for my part,' said Jasmine; 'and I hope you have made +up your mind to be nice to my sister.' + +'If that is your hope, you 're mistaken,' said Leucha. 'I wouldn't +touch her with a pair of tongs. Nasty, sinful girl, to play such a +trick on an innocent maid!' + +'Well,' said Jasmine, 'I shall be very glad to get back to school early +to-morrow.' + +'And I to my friends,' said Leucha. + +'I have remarked,' said Jasmine, 'that you haven't taken much trouble +in studying the habits of the kitchen cat. I know that you have made +puss your subject for the grand essay, for Hollyhock thought it best to +tell me, in order that you might see the poor beastie. But you have +been so unkind to her, Leucha, that she'd fly now any distance at your +approach.' + +'And let her; let her,' said the angry Leucha. 'I don't want her, you +may be sure of that. And as to my essay, of course I must stick to it; +but I may as well tell you, Jasmine, that it will be from beginning to +end on the _vices_ of the kitchen cat, encouraged by her deceitful and +silly mistress, Hollyhock!' + +'Have your way,' said Jasmine; 'but I don't think you'll be getting the +Duke's locket. The Duke is our kinsman and he knows us lassies, and +Hollyhock is a _prime_ favourite with him, so speaking against one like +her will not please his Grace. But now let me go to bed; I 'm sleepy +and worn-out.' + +The next day the girls unexpectedly arrived at the school. Leucha was +certain that she would have the same warm welcome that she had received +when she came downstairs after her illness caused by Hollyhock's +mischievous prank, but she did not remember that she was now Holly's +enemy. She did not even recall the fact that Meg Drummond was +forbidden to have dealings with her. In short, the school received her +with extreme coldness. The only one whose eyes lit up for a moment +with pleasure was that beloved one called Hollyhock; but she soon +turned her attention to a group of girls surrounding her, and as Leucha +would not give her even the faintest ghost of a smile, she tossed her +proud little black head and absorbed herself with others, who were but +too eager to talk to her. + +Leucha, in fact, found herself in her old position in the school, and +the only one who timidly made advances towards her was Daisy Watson. + +'I don't want you; go away,' said the angry Leucha. + +'I 'm going,' said Daisy. 'I have plenty of friends in the school now +myself, for Hollyhock has taken me up.' + +'What!' cried Leucha. 'How dare she?' + +'Well, she chooses to. I 'm to act in a charade to-night which she has +composed, and which will be rare fun. She's so sweet and so forgiving, +Leucha, that I think she 'd love you as much as ever, if only you +weren't so desperately jealous.' + +'I'm not jealous. I'm a terribly wronged girl. There was a trick +played on me which might have cost me my life. I'll have to tell my +poor mother that this is a very wicked school.' + +'Well, please yourself,' said Daisy. 'I must be off. It's rather fun, +the part I have to play. I 'm to be called the _kitchen cat_!' + +'You--you--how dare you?' + +'We are all acting as different animals. There are twelve of us who +are taking parts in the charade, and dear Hollyhock is to be the ghost. +She 'll stalk in, in her ghostly garments, and create a great sensation +amongst the animals. We would not have done it if we had known that +you were coming back, Leuchy, being but too well aware of your terrible +nervousness about ghosts, even when the ghosts are only make-believe.' + +'Well, what next?' cried Leucha. 'I never heard of anything so wicked. +I must speak at once to Mrs Macintyre, and have the horrid thing +stopped.' + +'All right. But I do not think your words will have any effect now,' +said Daisy. 'The matter is arranged, and cannot be altered. Mrs +Macintyre thinks the whole thing the greatest fun in the world. I can +tell you that I am enjoying myself vastly, although I was so miserable +at first when you and I sat all alone; but now I am having a first-rate +time. I have told you about the charade, Leucha, because I thought it +only right to warn you. If you prefer it, you need not be a spectator.' + +'What next?' repeated Leucha. 'I am to lose the fun of seeing +Hollyhock disgrace herself. I shall certainly do nothing of the kind. +I will be present, and perhaps take her down a peg. But leave me now, +Daisy; only let me inform you that you are a nasty, mean little brat.' + +'Thanks,' said Daisy; 'but I am enjoying myself mightily all the same.' + +Daisy scampered away all too willingly; and Hollyhock, advised by her +sister, took no notice of Leucha, although her heart ached very badly +for her. But she felt that the reconciliation must, at any cost, now +come from Leucha's side; otherwise there would be no hope of peace or +rest in the school. The fact was this, that Hollyhock was feeling very +wild and restless just now. She had quite got over her fit of +repentance, and was full to the brim of fresh pranks. + +'There's no saying what sin I 'll commit,' she said to herself, 'for +the de'il 's at work in me. With my rebellious nature, I cannot help +myself. I did wrong, and I owned it. I helped her and loved her; but +I could not bear her kisses. It may be that Providence has parted us, +so that I really need not be tried too far. Oh, but she is an ugly, +uninteresting lass, poor Leuchy! And yet once I loved her; and I 'd +love her again, and make her happy, if she 'd do with only two kisses a +day--_not_ otherwise; no, not otherwise. They're altogether too +_cloying_ for my taste!' + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE GREAT CHARADE. + +Mrs Macintyre was more vexed, more hurt, more annoyed than she could +possibly express. She had been willing--indeed, under the +circumstances, only too glad--to send sulky Leucha to The Garden; but +Leucha's unexpected return on the evening when the animal charade was +to be acted put her out considerably. She saw at a glance that Leucha +was unrepentant; that whereas Hollyhock was more than ready to forgive, +Leucha belonged to the unforgiving of the earth. Being herself a fine, +brave woman, Mrs Macintyre had little or no sympathy for so small and +mean a nature. + +Of course, she regretted Hollyhock's practical joke; but then Hollyhock +had so abundantly made up for it by her subsequent conduct, and was +even now the soul of love and pity for the desolate, deserted, +obstinate girl. + +Mrs Macintyre felt that she could not altogether side with Hollyhock, +but she had no intention of interfering with the charade because +Leucha, in her weak obstinacy, chose to return to the school on that +special day. She determined, however, to speak to the girl, and to +tell her very plainly what she thought about her and her conduct. + +Leucha was in her pretty bedroom, where a bright fire was blazing, for +the weather was now intensely cold. She was alone, quite alone, all +the other girls in the school, both the actors and those who were to +look on, being far to busy to attend to her. She took up a book +languidly and pretended to read. She had already read the said book. +It was one of Sir Walter Scott's great novels. But Leucha hated Sir +Walter Scott; she hated his dialect, his long descriptions; she was not +interested even in this marvellous work of his, _Ivanhoe_, and lay back +in her easy-chair with her eyes half shut and her mind halt asleep. +There came a sharp, short knock at her door. It roused Leucha to say, +'Who's there?' + +'It's me, Magsie, please, miss,' replied a voice. + +Leucha muttered something which Magsie took for 'Come in.' She entered +the luxurious chamber. + +'You are called, Lady Leucha, to the mistress on business immediate and +most important. You are to go to her at once. My certie! but you are +comfortable here.' + +'Are you speaking of Mrs Macintyre?' inquired Leucha. + +'I am--the head-mistress of the school herself.' + +'Say I will come, and leave my room at once yourself,' said Leucha. + +'You had best no keep _her_ waitin' long, I 'm thinkin'. It's no her +fashion to be kept waitin' when she gives forth her royal commands. In +the Palace of the Kings she 's like a royal lady, and you dare not keep +her waitin'.' + +Magsie had now a most violent hatred for Leucha, having helped +Hollyhock to nurse her through her illness, and being far more +concerned for her own young lady than for that miserable thing, who had +not the courage of a mouse. + +'You had best be quick,' said Magsie now; and she went out of the room +noisily, slamming the door with some violence after her. 'I don't +think I ever saw so wicked a girl,' thought Magsie to herself. + +The wicked girl in question thought, however, that prudence was the +better part of valour, and went downstairs without delay to Mrs +Macintyre's beautiful private sitting-room. She looked cross; she +looked sulky; she looked, in short, all that a poor jealous nature +could look, and there was not a trace of repentance about her. + +Mrs Macintyre heaved an inward sigh. Outwardly her manner was +exceedingly cold and at the same time determined. + +'I have sent for you, Leucha Villiers,' she said, 'to ask you if you +now intend to restore peace and harmony to the school.' + +'What do you mean, Mrs Macintyre?' said Leucha. + +'My child, you know quite well what I mean. Your dear and noble young +friend'---- + +'I don't know of any such,' interrupted Leucha. + +'Then you have a lamentably short memory, Leucha,' said Mrs Macintyre, +'or it could not have passed from your mind--the weary nights and long +days when that brave young girl devoted herself to you.' + +'You mean that naughty Hollyhock, of course--the one who played on me +that wicked, wicked joke. A nice school this is, indeed.' + +'Leucha, I forbid you to speak in that tone to your head-mistress. I +acknowledge that Hollyhock did wrong; but, oh, how humbly, how +thoroughly, she has repented! I fully admit that she had no right to +dress up Meg Drummond as a ghost and to frighten such a nervous, silly +girl as you are; but afterwards, when she saw the effect, who could +have been more noble than Hollyhock; who could have nursed you with +more splendid care, and--and _loved_ you, Leucha--you, who are _not_ +popular in the school?' + +'I don't care! I won't stay here long,' muttered Leucha. 'If you +think I am going to eat humble pie to that Hollyhock, you are mistaken, +Mrs Macintyre.' + +Mrs Macintyre was silent for a moment; then she spoke. + +'I am sorry. A nobler nature would have taken the thing as a joke; but +you, alas! are the reverse of noble. You have a small nature, Leucha, +and you must struggle against it with all your might if you are to do +any good in life.' + +'I am not accustomed to being spoken to in that strain,' said Leucha. + +'Perhaps not; it would have been good for you if you had been. Oh, my +child, if I could but move your hard heart and show you the blessed +spirit of Love pleading for you, and the Holy Spirit full to the brim +with perfect forgiveness, stretched out even to _you_.' + +'You talk to me,' said Leucha, 'exactly as if _I_ were the sinner. +It's Hollyhock, mean little scamp, who is the sinner, and yet you call +her brave and noble.' + +'Hollyhock has most fully repented, and therefore is noble. I intend +always to love her as she deserves to be loved.' + +'Well, I don't care,' said Leucha. 'She is nothing to me in the +future. I 'll have nothing to do with her--nothing at all.' + +Again Mrs Macintyre was silent. + +After another long pause she said, 'Then you will not forgive the sweet +girl, who nursed you back to life?' + +'Never, never,' answered Leucha. 'Why should I be tortured in this +way?' + +'My dear, I must torture you for your good. You will not grant +Hollyhock forgiveness?' + +'I said before that I would _never_ do so.' + +'Very well. Hollyhock is the last girl in the world who needs pleading +for; but suppose, Leucha--I don't say for a moment I shall succeed--but +_suppose_ I were to go to Hollyhock, who feels that she has done her +part and has shown her sorrow for her little childish freak in every +possible way, would you, my child, accept her words of contrition, and +when I brought her to meet you, receive her as one so noble ought to be +met?' + +'No; I would turn from her with scorn. I would tell the humbug what I +think of her.' + +'Then, Leucha, I have nothing further to say. I doubt if I _could_ get +Hollyhock to humble herself to this degree; but certainly, after your +last words, I shall not try. Now, you have returned to the school on +an awkward day, when a charade introducing various animals is to be +acted in the great hall. Twelve girls will play different animals, and +the crisis and crux of the whole thing will be the appearance of "poor +ghostie," which part Hollyhock will undertake herself. I warn you +beforehand that, as you are so _very_ timid in the presence of false +ghosts--for, of course, I personally do not believe in real ghosts--it +would be wise for you to remain in your bedroom, and thus keep out of +the way. I believe Hollyhock is going to do the ghost very well. I +have no desire to interfere with the games of the school. The games +teacher, Miss Kent, manages these, and your unexpected and, I must add, +_unwished-for_ return cannot stop to-night's programme. You had better +promise me, therefore, to go to your room, where one of the servants +will bring you up some supper. I really advise you for your own good, +my child, for I understand that ghost will look very awful to-night, +and you, being so terribly nervous, may not be able to bear the sight.' + +Don't fear for me, Mrs Macintyre,' said Leucha. 'I 'm not quite such a +fool as you think me, and I certainly will sit in the hall with the +other girls, and, if possible, put Holly to shame.' + +'That I strictly forbid,' said Mrs Macintyre. 'A game is a game; a +charade is a charade. While the acting proceeds no looker-on must +interfere except under my intense displeasure. In fact, my dear +Leucha, after what I have said, I shall write to your mother asking her +to remove you from the school, unless you promise not to make any fuss +or show any fear to-night. Go back to your room now.' + +'And you really tell me, Mrs Macintyre, that the Earl of Crossways' +daughter will be dismissed from the school?' + +'There will be no difficulty about that,' replied Mrs Macintyre. 'I +have six fresh girls anxious to be admitted. You are not popular; your +character does not suit us. The fact of your being Earl Crossways' +daughter has no effect in a school which is the gift of the Duke of +Ardshiel; so don't fancy it. Act sensibly, as you cannot bring +yourself to forgive, and stay in your bedroom. I am not talking +nonsense when I predict that the nerves of the strongest will be tested +to-night.' + +'I refuse. You can't turn me out,' said Leucha. + +'Very well,' said Mrs Macintyre. 'I have put the case fully before +you, and can do no more.' + +Leucha went back to her bedroom, where she really felt very troubled +and, as a matter of fact, terribly frightened. If Meg Drummond, acting +as the ghost, had nearly sent her into the other world, what effect +could not Hollyhock produce? And Hollyhock meant to produce an effect +unknown before in the great school. + +Hollyhock was roused at last. Her forgiving nature had reached its +limit. She felt naughty and wilful, and with a spice, as she expressed +it, o' the de'il stirring in her breast. She was told by one of the +girls that Mrs Macintyre's intercession with Leucha had proved all in +vain, and she determined, therefore, to make poor ghostie more terrible +in appearance than he had ever been before. She rejoiced, in fact, in +her naughty little mind at the thought of Leucha insisting on being one +of the spectators, and resolved on no account whatsoever to spare her. + +The charade was to take place immediately after light supper. The +great hall was arranged for the occasion. A stage was erected at the +farther end, in the darkest and most shadowy spot. Across the stage a +great curtain was drawn, and footlights had been secured to throw up +the antics of the different animals the twelve girls were to act. One +was the kitchen cat. Daisy was to be dressed exactly to fit the part +by Miss Kent's and Hollyhock's clever contrivance. The kitchen cat +must have a poor thin body, all dressed in shabby fur of a nondescript +sort. She was to wear over her head the mask of a real cat. A long +scraggy tail was stuck on behind, which by an ingenious device could +jerk up and down and from side to side. + +Daisy Watson rejoiced in her part, and had learned the miauw, the mew, +the hiss, the dash forward, the howl of rage, and the purr to +perfection. She had stalked across the stage again and again that day +as kitchen cat, each time evoking shrieks of laughter. By her side +walked a timorous dog, who looked at the kitchen cat with awe. The dog +was purposely made to imitate Leucha, and whenever this lean and ugly +brute appeared the kitchen cat said, 'Hiss-phitz-witz!' whereupon the +lean animal retired in mortal terror, his mongrel tail tucked under his +mongrel legs. + +The resemblance to Leucha was really so marvellous as to be laughable, +and all the girls had declared that they would not have allowed this +beastie to appear if Leucha had been expected to be in the school. But +Leucha had come back unexpectedly, and her conduct to Hollyhock had so +roused the ire of that generally good-natured girl that she made up her +mind that no change should now take place in the programme. + +Besides the ordinary cat and dog, there was one ferocious-looking beast +managed with great skill, a lion. A very tall girl in the school took +this part. The lion's mane was magnificent, his growls such as to +terrify any one. These were produced in reality by a little toy +instrument concealed in the mouth. He growled and stalked about, and +looked so like the real thing that more girls than Leucha shrank back +in alarm as he approached the frail barrier which separated the actors +from the spectators. + +Who _was_ this enormous beast? Could it possibly be a _real lion_? + +Then there were the wild panther, the fierce tiger, a pony, an ox, a +sheep, a goat, a pig, a long, wriggling thing to represent a snake, and +finally a most enormous cock-a-doodle-doo, who seemed to fear none of +the awful forest beasts and reptiles, but sang out his lusty crow right +heartily with all the goodwill in the world. + +But the three characters who excited most mirth or fear amongst the +spell-bound spectators were, first and foremost, the kitchen cat; +second, the timorous mongrel dog; and third, the lion with his mighty +mane and terrible roar. The mongrel dog gave faint yelps and howls of +anguish whenever he was approached by the lion or the kitchen cat. The +lion made a valiant attempt, growling savagely as he did so, to +demolish the cat; but the agile cat leaped on his back, stuck her +claws, which were really crooked pins, into his hide, and sent the king +of beasts howling to a distant part of the stage. She then proceeded +to torment the mongrel dog, and to draw out, as she well knew how, +Leucha's peculiarities in the dog. + +Leucha sat in the audience, rather far back, nearly stunned with +horror. Oh, the cruelty of the whole thing! Of course she recognised +Daisy; of course she recognised the caricature of herself. Oh! it was +a wicked, wicked thing to do, and she had no sympathy, and no friend +anywhere. She sat, it is true, amongst the girls, but she was not one +of them. They were absolutely yelling with laughter over the pranks of +the cat and the terror of the dog. They had never seen so fine a piece +of acting in their lives before. + +One girl was heard to say distinctly to another, 'Why, if that wee +doggie is not Leucha to the life, I 'm very much mistaken;' and Leucha +heard the words and knew that the mongrel dog was meant for her, and +yet she dared not do anything. She clung to her seat in abject misery. + +Suddenly the lights on the stage were lowered. They were made +strangely, weirdly dim; a kind of blue light pervaded the scene; the +different animals crouched together; and ghostie, very tall, very +skeleton-like, very fearsome, with his jet-black eyes, walked calmly +on. Oh, but he was a gruesome thing to see! There was a look of +horror on his face, and when he spoke, his words were awful. + +'I have come from the bottom of the cold lake. Dry my wet locks. +Which of you all will dry my locks? The poor beasties cannot. I must +jump over the enclosure and walk among the lassies and see which of +them will dry my dripping locks!' + +The blue light now pervaded all parts of the room, and the ghost went +straight up to Leucha. + +'You are brave; do this favour for poor ghostie. See how my black eyes +glitter into yours! Will not one of you come forward and dry my +sleekit locks? I thought the bravest lass in the school would do it, +so I came straight to wee Leuchy; but she has turned her head aside. +What ails the lassie? What can be coming over her, and she so brave +and so noble?' + +The intense sarcasm in these words caused the entire school to shriek +with laughter, in the midst of which Leucha flew to her room, vowing +that even the Duke's locket and crest would not keep her another day in +this fearful school. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +THE WARM HEART ROUSED AT LAST. + +Now the forgiving nature of Hollyhock Lennox has been often mentioned; +but just now she felt very nearly as angry with Leucha as Leucha was +with her. It was a strange sort of anger, an anger mingled with love, +for had Leucha said the slightest word, that warm, warm heart of the +Scots girl would have been hers once again. + +But Leucha would not say the word, although, strange as it may seem, +she also, down deep in her heart, was longing for Hollyhock, longing as +she had never longed for a human being before. She had been brought up +in a stiff, cold home, by a stiff, cold mother, and it was hard for her +to go against her nature. The girls of Ardshiel were altogether on the +side of Hollyhock, and Leucha was more lonely than ever. Her angry +boast that she would write to her mother and ask to be taken from the +school she had certainly not courage enough to carry out. Lady +Crossways would have been furious, and would have come quickly to +Ardshiel to punish her rebellious child, and as likely as not to fall +under Hollyhock's charm. + +Leucha had, therefore, to remain at the school, and as she had now +literally no friends (for even the girl who had played the kitchen cat +in the charade had completely deserted her, and her cousins, the +Frasers, had given her up long ago), she was forced to remain in +terrible isolation. + +Poor Mrs Macintyre was most unhappy about the girl; and as for +Hollyhock, she was downright wretched, but also, as she herself +described it, very wicked-like and full of a big slice o' the de'il. +The intense unhappiness of her mind caused her to be most freakish in +her behaviour, to tell impossible ghost-stories, and as she could not +sleep at nights and was really not at all well, to spend her time in +planning fresh plots for the annoyance of Leucha. + +Hollyhock, with all her loving nature, was also most defiant and most +daring, and there were few things she would pause at to punish the +English girl. + +How queer is life! These two girls loved each other, and yet neither +would succumb, neither would yield to the desires of the other. + +Hollyhock tried to forget her constant headaches, her bad nights, her +restless spirit, by employing her satellites in all sorts of +mischievous tasks. No one noticed that she was not well, for her +cheeks were apple-red with the glow of apparent health, and her lovely, +dark, affectionate eyes had never looked more brilliant than at present. + +Nevertheless, she _would_ pay Leuchy out--Leuchy, who had now no one to +protect her, as even the pious Meg Drummond was not allowed to make +special friends with her. Meg, in her way, was as commonplace as +Leucha, and she thought it a fine thing to know the daughter of an +English nobleman; but Meg was strictly forbidden to show any preference +for Leucha, who would have gladly received her, and been even now +slightly comforted by her dull society. But the fiat had gone forth. +Meg had made immense mischief in the school by her confession. She was +detested by all the other girls for having made this mischief, and was +as lonely in her way as Leucha herself. The one thing that sustained +the school at this painful juncture was the hard work necessitated by +the competitions for the Duke of Ardshiel's lockets. + +Leucha had a dim hope that if she won one of these great prizes and +could bring it back at Christmas to her mother, she might be allowed to +leave this hateful school. Accordingly, she worked hard at her theme. + +Hollyhock's choice, as she herself expressed it, was 'The Zone of +Danger.' It seemed in some ways a strange thing for Mrs Macintyre to +suggest, and she repented it after she had done so; but Hollyhock's +dancing eyes, and her brilliant cheeks, her smiles, her fascinating way +of saying, 'I 'm not frightened,' had obliged the head-mistress to keep +to her resolve. + +The competitions were of a somewhat peculiar nature. The six prizes +were more or less open ones. For instance, the girls who chose to +compete in the essay competition might choose their own subject. The +girls who went in for foreign languages might select French, German, or +Italian. The girls who struggled to attain general knowledge had a +very wide field indeed to select from. The only thing they had to do +was carefully to select their subject and hand it under a feigned name +to Mrs Macintyre, the envelope being sealed, and the lady herself not +knowing its contents until the day before the prizes were to be given +by the Duke of Ardshiel himself to the school. + +Her idea with regard to the competition which Hollyhock called 'The +Zone of Danger' was that the Scots lassie or English girl, as the case +might be, should perform a brilliant deed, a feat demanding skill, +endurance, and nerve. But Hollyhock intended her zone of danger to be +one really great and very terrible, something that was to take place at +night. Very few girls in the school chose to compete for this prize, +as they knew only too well that Holly would beat them into 'nothing at +all,' her magnificent bravery being so well known. + +One day, about a fortnight before the general break-up at the school, +when Mrs Macintyre was preparing to have a joyful time with her friends +in Edinburgh, and the Palace of the Kings was to be shut up, a band--a +very large band--of girls were collected round the fire in the +ingle-nook in the great hall, and were listening to Hollyhock's +fascinating words. + +Suddenly Agnes Featherstonhaugh spoke. She was a very reserved English +girl, and had only been won over to Hollyhock by slow degrees. But, +once she was won over, her heart was in a state of intense and +passionate devotion. She would, in short, do anything for this radiant +young creature. + +'Holly,' she said, as a slight pause in the animated conversation gave +her the chance she required, 'confession is good for the soul. Meg +knows that.-- Don't you, Meg?' + +Meg shrugged her shoulders, looked sulky, and made no reply. But when +Hollyhock touched her gently on the arm, she snuggled up to her in a +kind of passionate love. She felt inclined to weep, for she knew that +she--yes, _she_--had caused the terrible discord and unhappiness which +now reigned in the school. + +'I wish to say,' continued Agnes, 'that I am following in the footsteps +of a much finer character than my own. Leucha Villiers belongs to the +school'---- + +Hollyhock stirred restlessly. + +'And Leucha is alone morning, noon, and night, except when she is busy +over her essay.' + +'I--I'm _willing_'---- began Hollyhock. + +'No, Holly darling, you are not to be put upon any more than you have +been!' + +Similar remarks were made by a chorus of girls, who were really sick of +Leucha and her ways. + +'I--I'm _willing_,' said Hollyhock, bringing out the words with a great +effort. 'But there, let things slide. I have my own troubles, and +what I do, I do alone; only you all hear me say, lassies, that I'm +_willing_.-- Now, then, Agnes, go on with your speech.' + +'It's only this,' said Agnes, 'that, following in the steps of that +most noble creature, Meg Drummond, I also am confessing a little sin, a +small one at that; but I too must save my soul, girls, just as Meg had +to save hers.' + +'Go ahead,' said Hollyhock. + +'It was this very afternoon,' continued Agnes, 'when we were all busy +in the great warm schoolroom, no teachers being present, and we were +all occupied over our different competitions, each of us, of course, +hoping to win the prize given by the great Ardshiel. Well, it so +happened that Leucha Villiers's desk was next to mine, and Leucha +suddenly went out of the room, and a temptation swift and frightful +came over me. Nobody saw me do it, and why I did it I can never tell, +but do it I did; and if you 'll believe me, girls, I opened Leucha's +desk, no one seeing me at the job, and took out her paper on the +kitchen cat. I don't myself think she 'll get a prize from his Grace +for _that_ paper; and, what's more, I don't care, for venom is in the +girl, and in every word of her poor, stupid little paper. She compares +the kitchen cat to our dear Hollyhock, and abuses Hollyhock in such a +way'---- + +'Stop--say no more,' cried Hollyhock. 'You did wrong to read, and I +won't be told what was said of me. No, the daughter of a Cameron isn't +that sort.-- You can go on with your talk, lassies; but I 'm for my +bed. I have a bit of a headache, and the sleep so beauteous will take +it away.' + +With these words Hollyhock left the room, and Agnes found she had done +very little good by her confession. The other girls, however, who were +less scrupulous, crowded round her and implored her to tell them what +that 'wicked one' had said. + +'No; I 'll tell no more,' said Agnes. 'Holly wouldn't wish it. But, +oh, to think of that noble girl being spoken of like that! Oh, the +cruel, cruel, angry girl! My heart bleeds for our darling!' + +'She 'll not get the prize,' said a Scots girl. 'Think you now that +Ardshiel would give a prize to one who abuses his kinswoman?' + +'She has put her foot in it by so doing,' said another. + +'We'd best let her alone, Agnes; and you keep your confession to +yourself. You had no right to read the paper,' said Meg Drummond in +her solemn voice. + +'I had not,' replied Agnes; 'but seeing that you were so troubled by a +bit of a lark on account of your poor soul, Meg, I thought I 'd follow +suit.' + +'Well,' said Meg, who came out a good deal when Hollyhock was absent, +'my mother tells me my immortal soul is safe now. I can pray again, +and I 'm happy; but yours is a different case altogether, Agnes. +Anyhow, you have done the deed, and one of the lockets will never go to +Earl Crossways' daughter.' + +The girls talked together for a little longer, all of them rejoicing in +the thought that Leucha had now no possible chance of a locket. She +was so thoroughly disliked in the school that they positively rejoiced +in this certainty, and forgave Agnes her mean trick of looking at the +essay. + +But Hollyhock, up in her room, having bluntly refused to listen to any +of the words of the naughty girl who had read a part of the essay, was +nevertheless wild with rage, and could not possibly rest. That sense +of forgiveness which she had felt when seated with her companions round +the ingle-nook had now absolutely vanished. She would not demean +herself by listening to words which were not meant for her to hear; but +for the time being at least her little heart was sore, very sore, with +anger. 'Oh Leuchy, whyever are you so spiteful, and why does my head +split, and why does my heart ache for love of one who could be so cruel +to me? Did I not repent over and over and over again? She has done +for herself; but when I go into the danger zone, I go into it now in +very truth. Perhaps when poor Hollyhock is no longer flitting about +the place you 'll think more kindly of me, Leuchy. I was willing for +your sake to make a final effort to be good, but the wish has died. I +'m a bad lass, and you 'll describe me as I am, when the essay on the +kitchen cat is read aloud. Oh Leuchy, _I_ would not be so mean!' + +All night long Hollyhock tossed from side to side on her restless +couch, thinking and planning how she would perform that feat which +would stamp her as the bravest lassie in the school. + +There was one action which she could perform, one action which was so +full of danger that no other girl in the school would attempt it. It +was, in short, the following. On the night when she entered the danger +zone, she would enter it on her own Arab horse, Lightning Speed. She +could easily get this brilliant little animal over to the Palace of the +Kings by the aid of Magsie, who was more devoted to her than ever. She +would ride her horse, Lightning Speed, in the dead of night, with the +moon shining brightly, up a certain gorge which led to the source of +one of the streams that kept the great lake supplied with water. + +Lightning Speed was a high-spirited little animal, a thoroughbred Arab +no less, and Hollyhock knew that at the top of the gorge, when all +things looked so ghostly, he would start at every shadow and at the +slightest sound. He was all nerves, was Lightning Speed--all nerves +and gallant bearing, and devotion to Hollyhock. + +At the top of the gorge was a sudden break in the cliffs, below which +roared the mountain stream. The bold girl resolved to leap from the +rock on the one side to the opposite rock. She was determined that +Lightning Speed would and _should_ obey her, for did not he love her, +the bonnie beastie? + +She would not have attempted this deed, because she loved the brave +steed; but now she had heard of Leucha's conduct to her, her mind was +made up. She and Lightning Speed would leap the gorge, and she had +little doubt that they would both land safe on the opposite side. + +But this plan of hers, meaning certain death if it failed, was to be +kept a profound secret from every one in the school except Magsie, who +would be able to confirm what Hollyhock had done when the day and hour +arrived. + +Hollyhock, having quite made up her mind, at last fell asleep, and next +morning went downstairs very calm and peaceful to her usual lessons. +She had the calm, heroic look of Brunhilda, the favourite of all +Wagner's great heroines. She even muttered to herself, 'If I die, I +die, and the fire spirits of the great Brunhilda will surround me. I +'ll die rejoicing; but I 'll never, never do a mean deed. No, my +bonnie Lightning Speed and I couldn't bring ourselves so low. We are +meant for better things, my good steed, and better things we 'll do. I +have no fear. Hollyhock is very happy this day of days.' + +Her chosen chums and companions couldn't help looking with fresh wonder +at her radiant and lovely face. They little knew what was before them. +She was kind and sweet to every one, but a little quiet, not quite so +restless as usual, but with a wondrous light glowing in her eyes. + +The other Flower Girls looked at her in astonishment, but no one had +any fear for Hollyhock. She was not the sort of girl to stir fear +about herself in others. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +THE FIRE SPIRITS. + +A fortnight with so much excitement in the air passes very quickly. +The girls felt this excitement, although they did not talk of it one to +the other. + +Leucha sat alone when she was not engaged at her school tasks, and made +her essay on the kitchen cat as venomous as she knew how. Luckily for +poor Leucha, she had not the ability to do much in the way of sarcasm, +and although every single girl in the school must know at a glance that +this feeble caricature was meant for their beloved Hollyhock, it would +certainly not injure the dear Hollyhock in the least. + +Meanwhile Holly, absorbed in helping the other girls to make the time +pass as pleasantly as possible, and in doing mysterious things on +Sunday with Lightning Speed, also forgot Leucha for the time being. +Whenever she did think of her she was sorry for her; but she had not +time to think much of any single person just at present. The horse, +the darling horse, the Arab, the treasure of her life, must be trained +to the task which lay before him. Hollyhock had the knack of making +all animals love her, and the pure-bred Arab is noted for being a most +affectionate creature. He was sulky, and disinclined to obey big +grooms or any one except Hollyhock. But for her he would have given +his life. + +The eyes, so flashing black; the coat, black also and of such a silken +sheen; the tail, a little longer than that of most horses; and the +great lovely mane, all gave to the gallant animal a look of +determination and of spirit, which drew the remarks of the neighbours, +who could not imagine why Hollyhock had been presented by her father +with so much finer a horse to ride than the other Flower Girls. But +the fact was that the four other Flower Girls did not so greatly care +for riding, and although they often went out accompanied by their +father on the Saturday and Sunday afternoons, yet they preferred steeds +less spirited in nature than Lightning Speed. + +Hollyhock had, therefore, her own way entirely with her precious +treasure, and for his sake she would not, if possible, endanger the +life of Lightning Speed. She knew well that the leap of twelve feet +which she intended to take would be a mere nothing to Lightning Speed +in the ordinary hours of daylight; but with the moon shining +brilliantly and casting strange lights and also queer black shadows, +and with the terrific noise made by the foaming torrent below, the +horse, brave as he was, might refuse the leap at the last moment. + +'At any cost he must not do that,' thought Hollyhock. + +'You must not disgrace me, my bonnie beastie,' she whispered into his +sensitive ear; and certainly the Arab looked as if he had no intention +of disgracing the girl he loved. + +She took him to the gorge on two Saturdays and Sundays in succession, +and gave him imperious orders to leap across, which he did without a +moment's hesitation, leaping back again with equal ease. But this was +daylight. Things looked different at night. Animals were known to see +strange, uncanny things at night; the shadows were not mere shadows to +them. They were monsters beckoning them to destruction. The light, +too, of the full moon--for it would be full moon that night--would add +to the terrors of Lightning Speed. That intense white world would be +as terrifying to him as the blackness of the gorge and the sudden awful +gap over which he was expected to leap. + +Now the prizes were to be presented to the girls of the school by the +great Duke himself, and Mrs Macintyre assumed that the three or four +young maids who were to perform their deeds of daring would choose the +daytime for the display of their courage. + +As a matter of fact, very few girls did go in for this prize--five or +six at the most--and these, so far as Mrs Macintyre could tell, chose +the broad light of day to show the stuff they were made of. It never +entered her wildest dreams that Hollyhock would perform her feat, her +daring adventure, about midnight. It was _then_ that the moon would be +at the full. + +Hollyhock could not have carried out the design without the help of +Magsie, who had got her sweetheart, Joey Comfort, one of the grooms at +The Garden, to bring Lightning Speed to the Palace of the Kings. But +even Magsie, who knew the horse was there, had not the faintest idea +that her young mistress would take out so spirited a steed in the +uncanny hours of the night. She did, however, wonder during the day on +which the other competitors were performing their feats of bravery why +her favourite, Miss Hollyhock, was holding back. One by one the +different girls did different small things, which were brave enough in +their way, and all the time a mistress stood by and marked the girl and +her achievement. But Hollyhock had not come forward. She, who was so +extraordinarily brave, kept in the background. The girls were not +allowed to be questioned as to their intentions in this open +competition, and the teachers therefore assumed that although the +different essays had gone to the head-mistress in their sealed +envelopes under feigned names, and the other prizes had been competed +for and were waiting a judgment in Mrs Macintyre's room, Holly would +doubtless have plenty of time to perform something brilliant, and they +only hoped not too reckless, early on the following day. That would be +quite time enough for her deed of courage, and no one thought of a +midnight ride--a wild, half-despairing girl, and a horse so full at +once of timidity and courage, who would go forth to perform their feat +of all feats at the hour of midnight. + +As usual, the girls crowded round Hollyhock that evening and asked for +bogy and ghost stories. She told them with a _verve_ which she had +never shown before, and they listened with awed and loving admiration. +Oh, was there ever the like of this girl before in the wide world? +thought those who loved her. Never, never had she spoken as she did +to-night. They shrank together under the spell of her words. A few of +them even wept as they listened, and the one who wept most sadly was +Meg, that pious maid, who had done such mischief to save her soul. + +'Oh Holly, but I do love you!' said Meg, laying her head for a minute +on Hollyhock's shoulder. + +Hollyhock, who, as is well known, could not bear kisses, gently patted +Meg's hand, and then stood up. + +'Well, girls,' she said, 'to-morrow will be the great day, the grand +day, when the Duke gives prizes to the school. I think nothing myself +of the prizes, having a right on my mother's side to the grand crest of +the Camerons; but I 'm drowsy. Most of you have done your best, and +even Leuchy will be put about if she does not get a prize. Listen to +me, lassies. I have yet to perform my feat, and no one knows what the +feat is.' + +'I suppose it will be to-morrow morning that you will do it?' said Meg. +'Please don't run into danger, Holly, for that would break the heart of +every girl in the school.' + +'_Me_--run into danger! Is it like me, now? Do you think I 'm the +sort who 'd wilfully imperil my life? No, not me! But I 'm tired of +these constant headaches, and I 'd like a wee bit of rest. You say +I'll perform my feat in the morning. Some are clever at guessing--let +that be. But whatever happens in the future--and no one can tell--I +want Leuchy to know that I bear her no malice, and that if she thinks +me like poor Jean, the kitchen cat at The Garden, why, I'm satisfied. +You are all here round me with the exception of Leuchy, and I 'm +thinking of her loneliness. Well, whatever happens--and I don't think +for a moment anything _will_ happen--I'd like Leuchy to know that all +through this bitter, sad time, while Meg here was saving her soul--and +quite right you were, Meg--I have never ceased to love Leuchy--never. +She was not the sort of girl I 'd take up; but I did her a wrong, and +so I took her up; and I want her to forgive me, if indeed there is +anything to forgive. Now, good-night; I 'm off to my bed to ease my +troubled head. There's nothing like sleep for that, is there?' + +To the astonishment of the girls, Hollyhock kissed one and all, and +said, 'I'm getting sentimental. I must to bed to cure my headache. A +very good night to you!' + +She flitted out of the room, the girls looking after her in startled +amazement. + +'I don't like it, for my part,' said Meg Drummond. + +'Oh, but it's all right,' said Gentian. 'It's only our Holly's way. +She's excited, that's all.' + +'Yes, I expect that's about all,' said Jasmine, but she spoke with a +certain uneasiness, which was not, however, apparent in her voice. + +By-and-by the girls followed Hollyhock to their rooms. It has been +said already that Hollyhock's room and Leucha's were side by side. +Hollyhock went up to bed on this special night before nine o'clock. +She guessed well that Leucha would be in her room. In case anything +happened--_in case!_ but of course nothing would happen--she had left a +message for Leuchy with the other girls of the school; but now, as she +passed her door, a desire to make one last effort to speak to her, to +be friends with her once more, came over the brave child with a +passionate force. + +She tapped at the door, and without waiting for an answer opened it +softly and went in. She had spent days in that room as sick-nurse. +How uncomfortable that camp-bed was, too; how restless and exigent was +Leucha! But the room looked tidy enough now with the camp-bed removed +and a brilliant fire blazing in the grate. Certainly the Duke's school +did not lack for luxury. + +Leucha was seated by the fire. Her face was pale, and her light, thin +hair was unbecomingly dressed. She had been forced, of course, to +dress for the evening; but she was now wearing an old tea-gown, which +had been made for her out of one of Lady Crossways' worn-out garments. +The tea-gown was of a light brown; the make was poor, but it was warm +and comfortable, although nothing could be more trying to Leucha's +appearance. Holly could have worn it, as she could wear anything with +effect; but Leucha, with her pale eyes and scanty locks, was a +different sort of being. The brown tea-gown certainly did not suit +her. Hollyhock, who was wearing a dress of soft silk and brightest +crimson in colour, looked a magnificent young figure beside the dowdy +Leucha. + +Leucha knew at once that she looked dowdy, and hated Holly all the more +for showing herself off, as she expressed it. + +'What have you come for?' she said. 'I haven't invited you.' + +'I only thought, Leuchy dear, I 'd like to say good-night,' said Holly +in her rich, gentle tones. + +'Oh, good-night, good-night. But surely you are not going to bed yet?' + +'Yes, that I am. My head aches, and there's no place for an aching +head like bed. I thought perhaps, perhaps'--Hollyhock's voice +trembled--'you'd give me one kiss, Leuchy.' + +'Don't be such a goose,' said Leucha. 'I don't want to kiss you.' + +'Very well; good-night, Leuchy dear!' + +Hollyhock went into her own room. The moment she had gone Leucha +became possessed by a tremendous desire to give that kiss so sweetly +asked for. But her obstinate and silly pride prevented her. Besides, +how could Leucha possibly kiss a girl whom she had made such a rare +fool of? No, it could not be. + +The fact was that Leucha was exceedingly pleased with her own work, and +quite hoped to take the Duke of Ardshiel's locket to her mother, and +thus get away from the horrid school. She had not the least suspicion +of its contents being known, or at least partly known, to several girls +in the school. But even she could not kiss Hollyhock to-night; even +she could not give that Judas kiss. + +She snuggled into her chair, wrapped her ugly tea-gown round her, and +wondered what possessed Hollyhock to go to bed so early, and why she +was always suffering from headaches. So unlike her, too, for she +looked the very picture of rosy health. Leucha made up her mind that +Hollyhock was putting on these headaches to enlist the sympathy of the +school. + +'Just like her,' thought Leucha; and yet through all her angry thoughts +and all through the writing of the vicious and silly essay she knew +well that she loved Hollyhock as she loved no one else in the school. +Yes, Hollyhock was the only girl she loved. She might bring herself to +make up the quarrel with her next term, but she could not give her a +Judas kiss to-night. + +Hollyhock crept into bed without undressing fully. Her habit lay ready +beside her, but in such a position that no one would notice it. She +had taken off her pretty crimson frock, and had plaited her masses of +black hair into two thick tails, the ends of which she secured with +scarlet ribbons. + +Half-dressed, she hid under the bedclothes. She could slip into her +habit and go downstairs with noiseless feet when the moon was near its +height. The adventure would be quickly over, and she would be free, +she would be happy. She would have done the bravest deed of all the +girls in the school, and her beloved, her best-beloved, Lightning Speed +would not come to harm. Mistress and horse loved each other too well +for that to happen. She could control him by a look, a touch, a word. + +But the time was long in coming. Hollyhock had done her part as far as +girl could. She must now keep calm and try to ease that ever-aching +head. + +One by one the girls went up to bed; but still Hollyhock had to lie +awake, waiting, waiting, pining for the weary hours to pass, for there +was no use in attempting the dangerous task before the moon was at its +full, and that would not be until midnight. + +The dressing of herself, the arranging of her sidesaddle on Lightning +Speed, the starting for the celebrated gorge, would take her altogether +about half-an-hour, the gorge being some distance from the Palace of +the Kings. + +At half-past eleven, therefore, she might safely get up and prepare for +her task. Every other girl in the school was long in bed and sound +asleep. The servants had retired to their rooms, the teachers had gone +to their rest, for to-morrow was to be a great day, as the Duke himself +was expected to present the lockets to the six successful candidates +for the prizes. The great Ardshiel would be at the school to-morrow at +mid-day, and Mrs Macintyre thought she had better go to bed early. She +was always the last to sit up in the Palace of the Kings; but to-night +she went to her room at sharp eleven, a little weary, a little +perplexed, a little sorry, for she had read Leucha's vindictive essay, +and felt that she could not possibly keep such a girl any longer in the +school. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +HOLLYHOCK'S DEED OF VALOUR. + +Little did any one in that great house suspect what was going on during +those hours devoted to peaceful slumber. Mrs Macintyre was dreaming of +the Duke, and of the great honour he was about to confer on her school. +Leucha, worn-out and unhappy, was sleeping peacefully at last. Every +girl in the school was at rest, with the exception of the one girl who +had yet to perform her feat of valour. There was, however, one +exception to the intense peace of the school, and that exception was +Magsie, who, although she never imagined such an awful catastrophe as +might occur, still was full of a latent uneasiness with regard to Miss +Hollyhock. Magsie slept, of course, because she was tired; but she +woke again because her dreams were bad. They were all about bonnie +Miss Hollyhock and Lightning Speed. She felt so anxious that after +some time she rose softly, left the other servants, and crept out into +the moonlight night. + +It was now past midnight, and the moon was setting. Magsie's steps +first took her in the direction of the stables. She peeped into one +stall after another. There was no sign anywhere of Lightning Speed. +This was quite sufficient for the brave Scots lass. She made up her +mind and acted accordingly. + +Meanwhile Hollyhock, a little before half-past eleven o'clock, had +risen very gently, and carefully adjusted her habit and her little +scarlet cap, which she was fond of wearing when she rode with Dumpy +Dad. Her scarlet ribbons kept her hair tied tightly back--those long, +thick, magnificent black locks of hers. As a rule, when she rode with +her father she wore her hair unbound, floating wildly in the breeze; +but she thought Lightning Speed would like her best to-night in her +present attire. She had chosen an old habit of dark Lincoln green. +She glanced at herself for a moment in the glass. Why _would_ her head +keep aching, aching, when she _looked_ so well, when her cheeks were so +bright and her great black eyes so sparkling? + +It is true that when she touched her forehead she felt it feverishly +hot, but she could not be in any way ill; that was impossible. She had +never looked better, and looks would sometimes show signs of illness. +How bad, for instance, poor Leuchy had looked after she, Hollyhock, had +played the prank on her; how withered up, like an apple all +overripe--her eyes so dim, her scanty locks so faded! Well, she must +not think of Leuchy now; only she would have been a little happier if +Leuchy had given her the kiss she had asked for. + +The maids of England were cold. She, Hollyhock, could not understand +them, could not attempt to fathom them. She crept softly downstairs, +gathering her habit over her arm. + +The moon was now full and at its height. She would reach the gap in +the gorge just at the critical moment. The adventure _was_ a wee bit +dangerous--she had to acknowledge that to herself--a wee bit, no more! + +She reached the stable where Lightning Speed was waiting for her. She +had put two or three apples into the pocket of her habit. She gave one +to her darling Arab as she prepared him for his ride. Quickly he was +ready. The girl saw that the girths of the side-saddle were right, +tight, and sure. She took all possible precautions, for if she were to +die or hurt herself it would be bad; but if Lightning Speed were to +hurt his precious self, it would be, according to Hollyhock, a thousand +times worse. The horse neighed at the caress and the apple, and +Hollyhock let him peep into the little reserve of apples in the pocket +at her side, which were all to be his when the great feat was +accomplished. + +It seemed to her that Lightning Speed knew her very thoughts. He +sniffed gratefully. She sprang lightly on his back, having first +secured the door of the stable. + +A minute later they were off and away. She thought of young Lochinvar; +she thought of the splendid ballads of her native land; she felt +thrilled with the excitement of the moment; but how ghastly white was +the moon, and how tremendously big and black the shadows where the moon +did not fall! Both girl and horse felt these brightnesses and these +shadows. + +'Well,' thought Hollyhock, 'it will be soon over, my bonnie Lightning +Speed;' and the horse, disturbed a little at first by the unearthly +glamour over everything, soon calmed down and made straight for the +gorge up which rider and steed were to mount, in order to accomplish +that awful leap from rock to rock, which they must take twice in order +that Hollyhock might really feel that she had done a deed worthy of the +prize. + +The horse evidently did not like the intense whiteness of the moon; but +when he got into the comparative darkness of the gorge, he calmed down +and became his usual self. Hollyhock did not attempt to urge him in +any way; she simply let him go his own gait, patting him several times +on his glossy coat. She knew well that the crucial moment would arrive +when they left the shadow of the gorge and stood forth, girl and horse, +prepared to take the leap, which, if by any chance Lightning Speed +rebelled, must be fatal to them both. + +How terribly her head ached; how giddy, how almost silly, she felt! +But at any cost she must carry through her task, that task of hers to +which she had given her whole mind. + +The ascent into the intensely bright moonlight was certainly not good +for the nerves of Lightning Speed, and when Hollyhock headed him for +the leap which he must take, just for a brief, very brief, moment he +hesitated. But he loved his mistress. Ah, how _much_ he loved her! +Would _he_ disobey when _she_ ordered him to do a certain deed? He had +never disobeyed her yet, never from the time she first mounted his back +and held his reins. + +Her own eyes felt slightly dazzled by the pain in her head and the +intense whiteness of the scene. The roaring torrent below had never +sounded so ferociously loud. Holly leant forward and looked into +Lightning Speed's jet-black eyes, those eyes as soft as they were +black, as wonderfully full of feeling as were Holly's own bright, +loving eyes. The black eyes of the girl looked into the black eyes of +the horse. + +She said aloud in her soft magnetic whisper, 'You 'll _do_ it, my +bonnie lad; you 'll take the leap, for the love of me, my bonnie, +bonnie lad;' and the horse seemed to answer her back, for he gave a +gentle neigh and prepared himself for the leap. + +Any one else he would have resisted, but not Hollyhock, not his beloved +mistress. He knew exactly how to accomplish the exploit required of +him. He bounded a bit back, then a bit forward, then sprang across +with a noble endeavour, and reached the opposite bank. + +They were both in safety. + +'Oh, but you are good, Lightning Speed,' said Hollyhock. 'You have +done the worst now, and shall have an apple for your pains. Then we +must turn back; but the backward leap will not be so dangerous by half +as was the forward.' + +By this time Lightning Speed felt as excited as his young mistress. He +could scarcely bring himself to eat the apple, so anxious he seemed to +complete his task and get back to the safety and shelter of the gorge. +He was not frightened now, not he. He would have leaped double that +distance if he could for Hollyhock the brave. He prepared himself for +the return leap. He sprang out over the awful chasm. + +But what ailed Hollyhock herself? The horse showed no fear; but the +girl trembled and reeled. Just as they had almost reached the opposite +side, and, as far as Lightning Speed was concerned, were in absolute +safety, Hollyhock found herself slipping from the saddle. The horse +was safe as safe could be; but she--she had slipped and rolled headlong +down the steep bank. The aching in her head was so tremendous that she +had absolutely no strength to keep her seat. She felt herself falling, +falling, bruised and battered by sharp rocks. And then all was a +merciful blank. She knew no more. + +When she came to her senses again she sat up with a great shiver, and +found herself perilously perched on a narrow ledge of rock, while away +above her head Lightning Speed looked down at her and whinnied in the +deepest distress. To get down to her, to help, to reach her, was for +him impossible. His whole heart was hers; but he could do nothing for +her, nothing at all! + +She saw his gallant head looking down at her, and she managed to call +out to him, 'Go home, my bonnie Lightning Speed; go home, and get some +one to bring ropes for poor Hollyhock. Oh, but you are a brave and +noble beastie!' + +The horse was puzzled whether to obey or not. Home to him was not the +Palace of the Kings, but his own comfortable loose-box at The Garden. +The stable would be locked now; but he might go to the front-door and +scrabble with his feet and make a loud and piercing whinny. Then, of a +surety, the Lennox man, Hollyhock's father, would come out, and he, +Lightning Speed, would lead him to the scene of danger. + +Now there was one fact that both girl and horse forgot. In order to +get out and in Hollyhock had taken pains early in the day to secure the +gate keys of the Palace of the Kings; but both horse and girl forgot +that the gates of The Garden, the beloved home of Lightning Speed, +would be locked until early in the morning. It would be all in vain +for Lightning Speed to try to surmount those high iron gates, in order +to secure the services of George Lennox. + +But while Hollyhock thus clung desperately to the narrow ledge of rock, +which was at least twenty feet down from the top of the famous leap, +and forty feet above the roaring torrent of water, Magsie had not been +idle. She wasted no time in waking the house. She concluded at once +that Miss Hollyhock was away, because Lightning Speed was away. In a +flash she guessed why the girl had done no feat that day. She also +felt almost certain where she would take Lightning Speed. For horse +and rider to leap a chasm of twelve feet in the bright moonlight would +be a fine act of courage, a mighty act, just the thing that Miss +Hollyhock would attempt, and Magsie now recalled with dismay certain +hints about the gorge dropped by that intrepid young horse-woman. + +It has been said that the Palace of the Kings lay between The Paddock +and The Garden, but if anything it was a trifle nearer to The Paddock +than it was to The Garden. Magsie therefore determined to go to The +Paddock and get the help of Master Jasper and any others she could +find, in the vague and almost forlorn hope of rescuing Hollyhock. + +There seemed no hope for her; but Magsie must do her best. How she +blamed herself now for allowing Joey Comfort to bring the horse to +Ardshiel! But it was too late for praise or for blame. All Magsie +could do was to act, and act promptly. Accordingly, flying like a wild +creature, she made for the lodge gates, which, as she had feared, she +found unlocked. Hollyhock had the keys. She soon reached The Paddock, +entered by the smaller gate, and flung gravel at the window of Master +Jasper's room. + +In an instant Jasper put out his head. 'Why, Magsie, whatever is +wrong?' he said. + +'Why, _all_ is wrong, and mighty wrong,' said Magsie. 'Come along this +minute, Master Jasper, and bring wi' ye a coil o' rope and as many +other strong lads as ye can find in the school. Be quick, for it is +Miss Hollyhock, no less, that we are tryin' to save.' + +Jasper felt a sick, terrible fear creeping over him; but he was a lad +of fine courage. In a very few minutes he had roused Andy Mackenzie, +John Meiklejohn, and his own brother Wallace, and, with a great coil of +rope, joined Magsie outside the window. + +'I don't want my mother frightened,' said Jasper; 'but whatever is +wrong, Magsie?' + +'Didn't I tell ye? Isn't my heart like to break? She would do it, the +wild lassie; she would take out Lightnin' Speed to the gap between the +twa rocks and put him to the leap at this time o' nicht. Eh, but what +horse wad stan' such doin's and the moon at the full?' + +'However did she get Lightning Speed?' asked Jasper. + +'That was my fault! She coaxed me, and coaxed Joey Comfort, my young +man, to get Lightnin' Speed into the stables o' the Palace o' the +Kings. They were havin' prizes--thochts o' the de'il, I think +them--and what must she do but make up her mind to leap across the +rocks when the moon was at the full! Ah, I ken I'm richt! I went to +the stables, and Lightnin' Speed was not there. She's that bold! She +may even now be floatin' in the water. Oh, I 'm afeared; I 'm near mad +wi' fear.' + +'Well, come along, come along,' said Jasper. 'We haven't a second to +lose. Why, if there is not Lightning Speed his very self! Hollyhock, +as like as not, is close behind him.--Lightning Speed, my bonnie +beastie, wherever is your mistress?' + +Lightning Speed--who had to pass The Paddock on his way back to the +Palace of the Kings and The Garden--turned like a flash and led the way +up the gorge. He was much relieved in his dear horsy mind by this +goodly assembly of young rescuers. Much he wished he could speak, but +that gift was denied him. + +At last, however, panting and puffing, Magsie and the boys reached the +cleft in the rocks. Lightning Speed, still wearing his side-saddle, +which was pulled a little crooked, bent over the chasm and turned his +black eyes to Jasper, as much as to say, 'Now this work is yours. Call +out to her; call out to her!' + +Lightning Speed whinnied very gently, and then Jasper knelt down and +looked into the great hole. The noise of the rushing water made his +voice difficult to hear for the girl, who was still clinging to the +ledge of rock. + +But at last, to his infinite delight, Jasper heard her answer very +weakly, 'I 'm here, Jasper; but I 'm nigh to slipping. It's my head, +Jasper, and the giddiness that is over me. Good-night, good-night, +Jasper dear; you cannot save me!' + +'Don't say that,' replied Jasper. 'Keep up your courage for a minute +or two longer, Holly, and _I'll_ come to you. Thank goodness I have +plenty of rope.' + +[Illustration: The Rescue.] + +Jasper had an earnest and very rapid conversation with John Meiklejohn +and Andy Mackenzie and Wallace. Quickly a rope was passed under his +arms and round his waist, and before she could believe it possible, +Hollyhock, weak, giddy, helpless, was caught in the boy's arms. + +He gave the words, '_Right you are; pull away!_' and in a trice the +three lads and Magsie pulled the girl and the boy up to the summit of +the rock. + +Hollyhock lay like one dead, but the boys carried her straight back to +the Annex, which was the nearest house, and there she could at once +receive her aunt's most tender care and treatment. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +ARDSHIEL TO THE RESCUE. + +Wild indeed was the excitement when the facts of that terrible night +were known; when the Duke of Ardshiel himself, who was to give away the +prizes--the beautiful prizes with his Grace's crest--arrived on the +scene and found no Hollyhock, but a distracted head-mistress and a lot +of miserable-looking girls. + +Now, as it happened, Ardshiel loved Hollyhock as he had never loved a +girl since Viola Cameron, long ago, had disappointed him. He was often +at another great castle of his, close to the Palace of the Kings, and +on these occasions he frequently saw his little kinswoman riding on +Lightning Speed beside her father, who looked very noble himself on his +great black charger, which he called Ardshiel, after the Duke. + +The Duke used to nod civilly enough to Lennox; but his eyes and his +thoughts were all for Hollyhock, the black-eyed lass who rode so +superbly. When she was with her father he never spoke to her; but on +the occasions when she happened to be alone, he invariably drew up and +had a 'crack' with the lass, admiring her sparkling eyes, her smart +appearance, her wonderful life and love and bravery, all of which shone +in her face. The Duke, alas! had no children, and whenever he saw +Hollyhock he sighed at the thought of the joy which would have been his +had he possessed so fine a lass. + +Hollyhock had that sort of nature which thought nothing at all of rank +for rank's sake, but she admired the dear old man, as she called the +Duke, and flashed her bright, sparkling, naughty eyes into his face, +and talked nonsense to him, which filled his Grace with delight. +Little did Miss Delacour guess or Mrs Macintyre conceive that it was +because of this brave lassie, and because of her alone, that the great +Palace of the Kings had been turned into a school. + +The Duke came to Ardshiel on this occasion with his heart beating a +trifle loud for so old a man. He cared little or nothing for the other +girls; but he would see his favourite, and secretly he had resolved +that the diamonds in the locket which she was sure to win should be +larger, finer, more brilliant than those which were presented to the +other girls. + +But, alack and alas, what horrible news met him! The head-mistress, +Mrs Macintyre, came out with tears in her eyes to tell him what had +occurred in the watches of the night. The Duke, a white-haired old +man, looked very solemn as he listened. His heart was sick within him. + +'Now, listen,' he said when he could find his voice. 'Is there danger +of her life?' + +'We don't know; we are not sure,' said Mrs Macintyre. 'She is at +present in a very high fever, and the doctor has been to see her, your +Grace.' + +'I tell you, madam, that I 'll send, at my own expense, for the best +doctors in Edinburgh, even in London. That lassie's life has _got_ to +be saved, and my pocket is wide open for the purpose. I wonder, now, +if I could peep at her. I 'd very much like to.' + +'I greatly fear not to-day, your Grace. She has to be kept very quiet.' + +'Ah, well! The bravery of the girl! Who else but herself would ride +Lightning Speed with the moon at the full? Here's her locket. I chose +it a little finer than the others, because she 's a finer lass, and I +guessed her deed of daring would _be_ a deed of daring, truly. Keep it +for her, madam, and send for the specialists.' + +The Duke abruptly left the house, and Mrs Macintyre, with her eyes full +of tears, put Hollyhock's special locket aside without even opening it, +and gave orders in the Duke's name that the greatest doctors be +summoned to the bedside of the sick girl. Then she called her most +esteemed English teacher to her side. + +'You must do it, my dear,' she said. + +'Do what, dear Mrs Macintyre?' + +'Why, I'm nearly as much broken down as the Duke. The poor lassie! +You have read the essays, and know the deeds of daring, and have gone +through the different subjects very carefully, Miss Graham. Then, will +you now give the lockets to the girls you think most deserving? The +locket given for valour is Hollyhock's by every right. The Duke +desires that she shall have it, and I 'll put it away for her until she +is well enough to receive it.' + +The Duke, who hated motor-cars, and still kept to the old-fashioned +magnificent carriage with its pair of spirited horses, was driving down +the avenue. He was nearly heart-broken with grief. If that girlie +died, he felt that his gray hairs would go down with sorrow to the +grave. He had come up that avenue so full of hope, he was driving down +equally full of despair. He was not content to trust wholly to Mrs +Macintyre. He himself would telephone immediately to the best doctors +in the land. On his way down the avenue he was startled by hearing the +bitter sobbing of a girl. The sobbing was so terrible in its intensity +that he could not forbear from drawing the check-string, pushing his +snowy head through the open window of the great carriage, and calling +out, 'Who 's there? Who's making that noise?' + +Immediately a very frightened and plain little girl stepped into view. +It was Leucha Villiers. All things possible had been tried to win her +stubborn heart, but it was melted at last. It was she--she felt it was +she--who had been the means of destroying Hollyhock. + +'What ails you, girl?' asked the Duke. 'I'm Ardshiel, and I am in a +hurry. What makes you weep such bitter tears?' + +He looked her up and down with some contempt. + +'Oh, your Grace, it was really my fault. I 'm sure it was.' + +'What--what?' said the Duke. 'Speak out, lass.' + +'I've always been unkind to Hollyhock, although she was so good to +me--oh! so good; but I--I was jealous of her; and now she is going to +be taken away, and last evening she came to my room and asked me for +one kiss, and I refused--I refused. Oh! my heart is broken. Oh! I am +a bad girl. There never was Hollyhock's like in the school.' + +'Keep your broken heart, lass,' said the Duke. 'I cannot waste time +with you now. I'm off for the doctors.' + +Leucha crawled back toward the house, and the Duke went immediately to +his own stately palace and telephoned to the cleverest medical men he +knew: 'Come at once to Constable's, a place they call The Paddock or +the Annex. There's a lass there like to die. She's a near relative of +mine, and I 'll save her if it costs me half of my fortune.' + +A couple of famous specialists accepted the Duke's command; and, having +so far relieved his soul, he went to Mrs Constable and begged to be +allowed to remain at The Paddock until the arrival of the physicians. + +During this long time of waiting he had an interview with Jasper, who +gave him a vivid and most modest account of what had occurred the night +before. + +'You are a brave lad,' said the Duke. 'I 'll never forget it--never. +And that fine horse--that bonnie beastie--if _she_ doesn't ride him +again, no one else shall. He 'll browse in my grounds, and live happy +till his dying day.' + +'Oh, but he 'd die!' cried Jasper. 'Dear Duke of Ardshiel, I _think_, +down deep in my heart, that Hollyhock will recover.' + +Meanwhile, in the sickroom, the girl who had gone through so much raved +and moaned, and went over and over again the terrible feat she had +achieved, and over and over again one special name came to her lips. +'Leuchy, you _might_ have kissed me. I do think you _might_ have +kissed me. I 'm wondering if she 'd kiss me _now_, before I go away.' + +Hollyhock kept up this fearful moaning until both the great doctors +arrived. They saw that Hollyhock was quite delirious, and they +listened to her wild and rambling words. Of course, George Lennox was +in the child's room, his heart in truth nearly broken; but Hollyhock +did not know that he was there. She was thinking more of that kiss +which had been refused than of anything else just then. + +Ah! why was Leuchy _so_ hard--harder than a rock?' + +The doctors noticed the constant repetition of the girl's remark, and +having spoken very gravely of the case to Mrs Constable, and to the +poor stricken father, went down to interview the Duke. + +'Well, your Grace,' Sir Alexander Macalister said, 'we have no good +news for you. The lassie is ill--very ill. She's fretting over and +over for a girl she calls Leucha. We think that if, perhaps, she saw +Leucha, it might do her good, and calm her, and tend to bring down her +fever. It runs very high at present. She talks of a girl who refuses +to _kiss_ her.' + +'My word!' said Ardshiel; 'and you think she ought to see _that_ +creature?' + +'It might be wise,' said Sir Alexander Macalister. 'It might be the +means of saving her life.' + +'Then run, my lad, run for your bare life, and bring that girl to her. +I met the girl in the avenue crying like anything. I gave her no sort +of comfort; but if the doctors think that she may save brave Hollyhock, +she shall come. Go at once, laddie; go at once. You know who she is.' + +'Oh yes, I know,' said Jasper. 'She's a horrid, detestable girl.' + +'There, you hear him,' said the Duke. 'I thought so myself; but if a +poor worm can help to pull _her_ round, why, that worm shall come and +do her duty. Bring her along with you, Jasper, my boy.' + +Thus it happened, to the astonishment of the unhappy school, that young +Jasper Constable arrived on the scene, took Leucha roughly by the hand, +gave her a look of the most unutterable contempt, and told her to come +away at once. + +Nobody interfered, for nobody was doing her ordinary work that day in +the school; and on their way between the Palace of the Kings and The +Paddock, Jasper had the pleasure of giving Leucha a piece of his mind. +He did it with all his boyish wrath. + +'She asked to kiss you, and you _refused_. She wonders now on her +_deathbed_ whether you 'll _still_ refuse.' + +'Oh Jasper, have pity on me--have pity! I 'm in agony,' said Leucha; +but neither Jasper nor the Duke of Ardshiel had any pity to spare for +Leucha. She was, however, by order of the doctors, who remained to see +the effect, allowed to enter the spacious sickroom where Hollyhock was +lying. + +Hollyhock felt confused. She did not recognise her father or Jasper or +Aunt Cecilia, and she was not in the least put out by the great +doctors; but when Leucha entered, a quick and quieting change came over +her face. + +'Well, Leuchy, perhaps you'll kiss me _now_,' she muttered; and Leucha +knelt down by her bedside and kissed her softly, gently, tears pouring +from her eyes. + +'Oh Holly, Holly, I love you, I love you,' sobbed Leuchy; 'I love you!' + +'Gently, gently; that's enough, my lass,' said Sir Alexander. 'Don't +cry, or make a fuss, but sit softly by her, and if she asks for another +kiss, why, give it; but no tears, mind.' + +So Leucha, the hopelessly naughty one, was established in the sickroom. +Oh, how happy she felt again; how glad, how more than glad, that +Hollyhock should have called out to _her_ in her illness and trouble! + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +WHAT LOVE CAN DO. + +Why and wherefore the fever went down and the girl got better no one +could quite tell. Of course, it was supposed to be the work of Leucha, +and perhaps in a measure it was; for when a very warm heart longs for +one thing, and that thing is denied her by passion, ill-temper, and +spite, and then at the critical moment--the most critical moment of +all--is given to her, the effect cannot but be immense. It began by a +great soothing, a happy light in the troubled eyes, a smile round the +sweet, nobly formed lips, the words coming again and yet again, +'Leuchy, Leuchy, I have got you, after all!' + +In less than a week Hollyhock was quite out of danger. She recognised +her father; she recognised Jasper; she recognised dear Aunt Cecilia. +She was gentle and sweet to every one. Only once she asked in an +anxious tone, 'Leuchy, is my Lightning Speed all right?' + +'Oh yes, you may be sure of that,' replied Leucha. 'There never was a +horse so fussed over.' + +'Then I 'm happy,' whispered Hollyhock. 'Hold my hand, Leuchy.' +Leucha did so, and the sick girl dreamt happy dreams, during which her +fever quite departed. + +The doctors--for the Duke insisted on their coming constantly--said +that it was a strange and remarkable case of recovery by the power of +love. They looked with a puzzled expression at the object of that +love, but held their peace, for Leucha had done what none of them could +have achieved. + +Just before Christmas-time the Duke of Ardshiel insisted on having an +interview with Hollyhock. + +'Oh, my dear, my darling,' he said; and his old lips trembled and his +great, dark, magnificent eyes flashed with a very subdued and very +softened fire. 'Oh, my love, the Almighty has given you back to the +old man.' + +'Sit close to me, Ardshiel,' exclaimed Hollyhock, 'and hold my hand. I +love you so well, Ardshiel.' + +'I want you to do something for me, my Hollyhock, I have got your +father's consent and also the doctors' consent, and they say--the +doctors do--that a long, long rest will be best for you; so I have my +plans all formed. I want you to come, to come away to be company to +the old man for Christmas; and afterwards, when you are a bit stronger, +I mean to take you to the Riviera, where the sun shines all day and the +flowers bloom. Will you come with the old man, my dear?' + +'Oh Ardshiel, I would, I would; but listen, Ardshiel dear, and don't be +angry. I cannot leave Leuchy behind, for you know she saved my life, +no less.' + +'I 'll have her at the Castle, but I 'll not take her to the Riviera,' +said the Duke. 'You'll be strong enough, my bonnie lass, to be back at +the Palace of the Kings at Easter; but, to tell the honest truth, I +have no liking for the maid you call Leucha. However, she has done +good work for you, and I have a special locket and crest to give her. +I 'll take Jasmine to keep you company when we go to the Riviera, and +you 'll meet your friend again at Easter. Will you oblige a very old +man so far, my blessing?' + +'Oh Duke, oh Ardshiel, you are the blessedest and the best,' said +Hollyhock. 'How pleased Leuchy will be about the locket! And may I +tell her my own self? And may she really come to your castle with me?' + +'Yes, my bonnie one, she may. She 'll come with you as a sort of +nurse, I take it; and you may tell her what you like, Holly, for there +'s nought that I wouldn't do for you.' + +So Hollyhock was moved on Christmas Eve to Ardshiel's great castle, and +the Duke was nearly beside himself with delight. He was a little +sharp, however, with wee Leuchy, for he had managed to pick out all her +poor story by now, and had learned how Hollyhock had once frightened +and then nursed her, and he guessed by the look on her face that Leuchy +belonged to the unforgiving of the earth. + +Nevertheless, she had saved Hollyhock now, and he was bound to be good +to her for that reason. His nephew, the next heir to the title, was +staying at the Castle, and this Cameron had a son of his own, 'the +bonniest lad you could clap eyes on,' who would, all in good time, be +Duke and owner of great possessions. + +The old Duke twinkled his eyes when he saw Leucha making up to the +goodly youth; but he said no words, for he had other plans for his +grand-nephew--very different plans. As for young Cameron, he took such +a very violent dislike to poor Leucha on the spot that she soon ceased +to pay him attention. + +Lady Crossways, hearing of this delightful visit, had sent down a whole +boxful of gaudy and unsuitable clothes for Leucha; but Hollyhock, with +her true and rare eye for colour, would not let Leucha be so attired. +She spoke privately to the Duke. + +'Ardshiel,' she remarked, 'is your purse still wide open?' + +'For _you_, my lassie; for _you_.' + +'But I want it to be wide open for another,' said Holly. + +'Well, I must do as you wish, Hollyhock, my blessing. I suppose you +want me to'---- + +'Hark and I 'll tell you,' said Hollyhock, putting her pretty mouth to +the old man's ear. + +The result of that whisper was that two boxes of clothes arrived from +the most expensive dressmaker in London, and the old Duke, who had a +passion for dress and for good taste in all respects, presented the +contents of one box to his beloved Holly, and the contents of the other +to Leucha. + +'There, lass; there,' he said. 'Your mother won't mind your wearing a +present from the Duke of Ardshiel. Take them and wear them while you +are here. They were chosen by Holly, who has the best taste in the +whole country round.' + +Leucha forced herself to admire the rich, quiet clothing which the Duke +and Hollyhock had chosen for her, and wonderful was the change for the +better in her appearance. She had her own maid, too, while at the +Castle, who managed to make the most of her scanty locks. + +On the whole Leucha was not quite unhappy while at this noble mansion, +but neither was she quite happy. The Duke had a piercing eye, and when +it flashed on her she seemed to shrink into herself. + +Young Cameron, the next heir but one to the dukedom, endeavoured to be +polite to her, but found the task too much for him; whereas Hollyhock's +gay black eyes and more than merry peals of delight charmed the young +man's heart. + +Before long Hollyhock was strong enough to go out of doors; and then, +in a very few days, to her exquisite delight, she was permitted to ride +once again on Lightning Speed. Oh, the joy of mounting her beloved +horse! Oh, the joy of the meeting between that horse and his mistress! + +The Duke was, as he expressed it, in high feather. The young +Lennoxes--that is, the rest of them--and the young Constables were all +invited to spend many days at the Castle, until at last the Christmas +holidays passed by, and Leucha went back to school; and the Duke, the +Duke's nephew, that nephew's son, and dear, gentle Jasmine, as well as +Hollyhock, all went off on an expedition to the Riviera. There, at the +favoured spot called Beaulieu, the Duke had a villa--a most magnificent +place. Never, never had Hollyhock even dreamed of such splendour, such +sunshine, such joy. + +The two men walked about a good deal together. Young Cameron +accompanied Jasmine and Hollyhock wherever they went; but there was an +unmistakable look in his eyes when he glanced at Hollyhock--Hollyhock, +the maid so brave, so beautiful. The Duke read that secret in his eyes +and chuckled inwardly to himself; but Hollyhock was far too young to +notice it, and the wise old Duke kept his secret to himself. 'Time +enough,' he muttered; 'time in plenty; let them remain children yet for +many a long day. Oh, but my old heart feels young again when I look at +her. No wonder the rascal feels as he does, but time--_the_ time has +not come yet--"My love she's but a lassie yet." Why, here she is, her +very self, coming to meet me.' + +'Ardshiel,' exclaimed Hollyhock, 'may I walk with you a wee while? You +are such a dear old man, Ardshiel, and I like to feel the touch of your +hand on my shoulder. Oh, but I love you, Ardshiel.' + +'And what have you done with my grand-nephew and Jasmine?' asked the +old Duke. + +'I do not know,' replied Hollyhock. 'He's a bonnie lad, but I like you +the best of all, Duke of Ardshiel! I love my own people, and the +Precious Stones, and my schoolmates, and the English lass that saved my +life--you are not hurt, Ardshiel? for I cannot but love the English +lass--but of all men, except my Daddy Dumps, you come first, Ardshiel, +my darling man!' + + + + +THE END. + + + + + + +BOOKS BY L. T. MEADE. + + + GIRL OF HIGH ADVENTURE, A + LIGHT O' THE MORNING + MADGE MOSTYN'S NIECES + QUEEN OF JOY, THE + THE DAUGHTER OF A SOLDIER + BEVY OF GIRLS + REBEL OF THE SCHOOL + QUEEN ROSE + DUMPS: A PLAIN GIRL + THE SCHOOL QUEENS + BETTY VIVIAN + PRETTY GIRL AND THE OTHERS + GAY CHARMER + A SCHOOL FAVOURITE + A MODERN TOMBOY + BETTY: A SCHOOLGIRL + WILD KITTY + CHILDREN OF WILTON CHASE + FOUR ON AN ISLAND + PETER THE PILGRIM + DADDY'S GIRL + DARLING OF THE SCHOOL + PETRONELLA + HOLLYHOCK + COSEY CORNER + PRINCESS OF THE REVELS + SCAMP FAMILY + SUE + BUNCH OF COUSINS + PLAYMATES + LITTLE MARY + SQUIRE'S LITTLE GIRL + POOR MISS CAROLINA + DICKORY DOCK + + +W & R CHAMBERS, LIMITED, LONDON AND EDINBURGH. + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Hollyhock, by L. T. Meade + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOLLYHOCK *** + +***** This file should be named 28566.txt or 28566.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/5/6/28566/ + +Produced by Al Haines + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/28566.zip b/28566.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6fa470e --- /dev/null +++ b/28566.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d95e9c3 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #28566 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/28566) |
