CHAPTER XVI.
AT HOME WITH "THE LEAVES."
Nothing could exceed the astonishment of the school children, the Leavesthemselves, and even of Rosamund, when they witnessed this sight.Rosamund's first impulse was to fly up to Irene, kiss her passionately,and assure her that she was a darling, and that nothing would induce herever to forsake her. But on second thoughts she decided that it was bestto take no notice. Accordingly, the children pursued their games, fornow tea was almost a thing of the past, and Irene found herself enjoyinglife as she had not yet enjoyed it. Never was any one more daring seen.She was the centre of attraction. From being dreaded, she was adored.Who but she could climb to the very highest branch of the tallest tree?Who but she could swing so high that she seemed almost to turn asomersault in the air before she came down again? Who but she couldinvent the most daring games? And then, when all other things failed,who but she could tell such weird stories? Her eyes shone; her lips werewreathed in smiles. She looked the very essence of beauty and happiness.Was this the ogre of The Follies, the terrible girl who kept every oneaway from the place, whom the servants dreaded, whom the governessesfled from?
Both Miss Carter and Miss Frost, standing side by side, watched theyoung heroine of the hour as she won her way to popularity. What was thematter? What was wrong? Or, rather, who had put wrong right?
Rosamund, who was herself a very gay, resolute, determined girl, keptmore or less in the background on this occasion. She wanted Irene, asshe said afterward, to win her spurs. The two governesses stood togetherand talked.
"Of all the wonderful things I have ever seen, the behavior of IreneAshleigh beats them," said Miss Carter, turning to Miss Frost. "How doyou account for it?" she added.
"How do I account for it?" replied Miss Frost. "I account for it becausea blessed angel came to the house in the shape of Rosamund Cunliffe, themost splendid girl I have ever met. She came, and showed not a scrap offear, even though that child--that terrible child--took her into themiddle of the stream, just where she took you, you poor thing!"
"Don't speak of it. Don't mention it," began poor Miss Carter, tremblingall over.
"Well, she took Rosamund there, and Rosamund was strong and got theupper hand with her at once, and from that hour Irene has beendifferent. It is true she has done terrible things. She behaved almostas badly to me as she did to you."
"Shall we walk down this shrubbery?" said Miss Carter. "The children areall quite happy. Every one who comes to the Rectory is happy, and youcan hear by the shouts of the village children that they are in the veryacme of bliss. Shall we walk down here and talk together? I have alwaysbeen so amazed at your remaining on at The Follies, Miss Frost."
"I have a little sister called Agnes, and a little brother Hugh, andthey are the dearest little children. They are only my step-brother andsister, of course; but they are to me just as though they were my veryown. They depend on me altogether for their maintenance. I buyeverything for them. I spend my holidays with them, and they love me. Mydarlings! They are like my own children. Were I to give up so good asituation my little ones would starve. You understand, Miss Carter, doyou not, that under such circumstances one would endure a great deal?"
"But even under such circumstances," said Miss Carter, in astonishment,"I do not think people would put up with Irene Ashleigh as she used tobe. Oh, never, never shall I forget how the boat dashed against therocks! I thought my last moment had come."
"How did you escape drowning, dear?" said Miss Frost. "I never heardthat part."
"It is more than I can tell you myself. I suppose I lost consciousness.When I came to myself I was on dry land, and Irene was dragging me backto the house; and then I had a terrible--most terrible--interview withLady Jane. I told her that I would go at once, that nothing would induceme to stay. She was nearly in despair, and, metaphorically speaking,went on her knees to me. But I remembered my promise to that dreadfulchild, and stuck to my word. Go I would. I never saw Lady Jane in atemper before, but she was then. She refused to let me have a carriage.She said Irene's conduct was past bearing, and that I ought to stay ifonly to support her. But I couldn't, for my nerves were frightfullyshattered. I went away as quickly as ever I could that very afternoon,intending to send a porter from the railway station for my luggage.Before I got half-way there I nearly fainted, and the dear, kind rectorfound me on the road. I told him my story, and he brought me home--yes,home, for this is indeed a complete and absolute home to me. I cannottell you how kind they have been."
"I have lived through _my_ horrors too; but I will not speak about themto-day," said Miss Frost. "Irene is immensely improved. I believe aslong as Rosamund remains with her she will be a really good girl. Sheis making great efforts."
"She is; that is the astonishing part of it," said Miss Carter. "Shecame up to my room--I will confess to you that I was hiding from her,absolutely hiding, and shaking from head to foot, scarcely knowing whatto do--and she came in as bold as brass, and yet with a new sort ofhumility about her, and she said to me, 'Will you forgive me? And if youforgive me, will you come downstairs and let me put my hand inside yourarm?' And somehow, although it was the very last thing on earth that Iwanted to do, I did it; and now here I am, and I don't feel nearly somuch afraid of her as I used."
"It is all owing to Rosamund," said Miss Frost again. "She is the mostwonderful girl I have ever met. I know one of her objects now is thatyou and I, Irene, herself, and the Singletons should be friends. Shemeans Irene to invite you all over to The Follies to-morrow or the nextday, and I hope you will have the courage to come."
"Indeed I don't know how I can. It is one thing to have Irene here; itis another thing to look at that terrible lake and reflect that the boatis at hand. Oh, of course, she will excuse me."
"But I don't think she will. If you come I will look after you, and wewill both firmly refuse to go in the boat. It wouldn't hold us all, sothere is no fear of that."
"But she is very ingenious. There is no end to her resources."
"At present her mood is different. You and I, who are so much older,ought to try to encourage her; for, after all, she has been a most sadlymismanaged child, allowed even from her earliest days to see that peoplewere afraid of her, and thus the spirit of cruelty gained a stronghold; but there is a great deal of good in her nature."
Miss Carter was called loudly by Maud, who requested her to help thelittle ones to play Puss-in-the-corner. The group broke up intodifferent detachments, and by-and-by the time came when Rosamundwhispered to Irene that it was necessary to order the governess-cart sothat they might go home.
"But I am so happy," said Irene, who had been helping some of the littlegirls to climb up and tumble down cocks of hay, and otherwise disportthemselves. "I didn't know other children could be so nice; but I findpoor children are much nicer than rich ones. They have no manners, whichI detest, and just say what they think. They have been telling me somehome-truths, and I have been laughing like anything. I didn't know I wassuch an ogre; but it is great fun to hear it from the lips of thechildren."
"We must go home; it is time," said Rosamund. "But before we go, Irene,will you kindly ask the Singletons to come to see us on Thursday? Theymight come to lunch, and spend the time until after tea. Thus we shouldhave a long afternoon."
"But if they must come, why not to-morrow?" said Irene. "I didn't knowthat other children could be so charming."
"They can't come to-morrow. We have our music lessons with Mr. Fortescueto-morrow."
"Can't we put him off?"
"Of course we can't. His time is all engaged. Ask them for Thursday, or,if you prefer it, for Saturday. Anyhow, will you ask them?"
"Oh yes, I'll ask them, and for Thursday."
Irene's flushed face, her speaking eyes, her lips apart in smiles,looked such a different creature from the somewhat pale, queerly dressedlittle inmate of the woods, that Mr. Singleton, who came out at thatmoment, did not know her.
"Who is this little lady?" he said, going str
aight up to her and holdingout his hand.
"I am the ogre," was Irene's instant response.
This answer amazed Mr. Singleton, but he kept looking at her andsmiling.
"I am sure, my dear, that is not your name. You look more like an angelthan an ogre."
"But I am the ogre--the ogre of the whole place. I am Irene Ashleigh."
The clergyman's astonishment was seen now on his face. Rosamund hastenedto interpose.
"Irene is my friend," she said, "and I think she is going to turn into avery fine sort of woman, if not into an angel. Anyhow, here she is, andI hope you bid her welcome."
"I do most heartily," said Mr. Singleton. "You must come and see usoften. I am very glad you have broken the ice at last. What good news,"he continued, turning to Rosamund, "this is about your young friend! Itis such a relief to the Merrimans that she is getting on so well."
"And a great relief to me," said Rosamund.
Irene moved away to talk to three little red-haired girls, who made acharming group, standing under an oak-tree. She soon had them in fits oflaughter; and Mr. Singleton, just glancing at her, spoke again toRosamund.
"What a miracle you have performed!" he said. "She is a changedcreature. But I suppose there is a great deal of the old Adam in herstill."
"Yes; but she will change still more. The fact is, she was so terriblynaughty because people used to be afraid of her."
"And you are not?"
"I certainly am not."
"My dear, there is something I want to say to you. Do you know that Ihave had a conversation with Professor Merriman, and he gave me a veryqueer account of your conduct? He seemed greatly distressed at the wayyou have behaved."
Rosamund shrugged her shoulders.
"The Merrimans did not suit me," she said. "Life at The Follies doessuit me. At the Merrimans' I was growing to be a very naughty girlmyself. I could not stand Lucy, although I liked the Professor; and Iliked Laura Everett and one or two of the other girls. But at TheFollies, you see for yourself, rector, I have done no harm."
"Harm! Indeed, you have done most blessed good. I never could havebelieved in such a change in any one. Why, that child is quite lovely."
"And by-and-by she will have a lovely mind," said Rosamund. "But, Mr.Singleton, it is only right to tell you that I am practically expelledfrom the Merrimans' school."
"That is a very grave matter. It ought not to be allowed," said therector. "The Professor cannot understand. His eyes must be blinded. Youhave done a noble work."
"But I don't mind; and, besides, I could not go back."
"But you could if it were just and right, could you not?"
"I don't really think I could."
Just then the pony-cart came round. The rector said no more for the timebeing; and a few minutes later, the young Singletons and Miss Carterhaving promised to arrive at The Follies on Thursday, Irene, Rosamund,and Miss Frost took their leave.
"Well, now, wasn't I a darling? Didn't I behave well?" said Irene."Aren't you pleased with me, Rose--dearest, sweetest, red, red Rose?"
"Yes, on the whole, I am quite pleased with you," said Rosamund; but sheleaned back in her seat. She felt tired and sad. She had done a goodwork, and she knew it, and yet she had injured her reputation; and hermother would be annoyed, and her father displeased. What was to be done?
There was some one else who was very much troubled on Rosamund's behalf,and that was the Rev. John Singleton. It was not his habit to consultany of his children, not even Maud, whom he relied on almost as he hadrelied on his wife; but he went straight over that very evening to theMerrimans' house; and although he could not go inside for fear ofinfection, he had a conversation with the Professor in the garden. Therehe spoke with such verve and enthusiasm with regard to Rosamund, and themarvelous change she had already wrought in the naughtiest girl in theentire district, that he induced that gentleman to change his mind.
"If you think it absolutely necessary, I will give her a chance."
"You must give her a chance. It would be culpable to allow such a girlto enter on the world with such a stigma as being expelled from schoolwould mean. You must give her a chance, sir. I hope you will nothesitate to do so."
Professor Merriman explained that his pupils would not return for atleast another fortnight, that Jane would be sent away in a little over aweek, that the house would be thoroughly disinfected, and the schoolwould continue.
"Perhaps it would be best for Rosamund to remain where she is for thepresent," he said, "and come back to us at the beginning of next term. Iacknowledge that she is a fine girl; very good-looking, too, and with amost taking way. But she must learn obedience. She would not obey whenshe was with us. It was for the sin of disobedience that I dismissedher. She also broke her word of honor."
"Give her a chance. Believe me, there are circumstances which overcomeall ordinary conditions," said the good clergyman; and he went awayfeeling assured that Professor Merriman would keep his word.