CHAPTER XVIII.
FROSTY'S DARLINGS.
Miss Frost's alarm, surprise, and delight when Rosamund had an earnesttalk with her on the following morning can be better imagined thandescribed.
"Of course, you can understand," she said, "that nothing would give megreater pleasure than having the darlings here with me; but how am I totrust Irene? Agnes is rather a timid little thing. Hughie is braveenough. I should not be afraid of him. He is fourteen; Agnes is onlyeleven. I am so afraid that Agnes, who has a little bit of me in hernature, will succumb utterly and show Irene that she is afraid of her.Then all would be lost."
"Nothing will be lost," replied Rosamund. "It is the very best planpossible. You must make Irene the guardian of Agnes from the very first.You must make her take that position with her; it is the only thing todo. The mistake has been that people were terrified of her. Hercharacter, which is really very fine, has been spoiled by such a course.Give her a little tender thing to love, and make her guard thatcreature, and she will fight for her to the very death. I do believe it.Trust me, I have studied her character so carefully."
"I do indeed trust you, dear," replied Miss Frost, with tears in hereyes. "Well, then, if Lady Jane approves"----
Of course Lady Jane approved. She said at once that she did not wish toleave The Follies.
"I like to go away sometimes in November," she said, "or at the end ofOctober, when the leaves are falling. But I love my own beautiful homein the summer weather best of all places on earth, and I am afraid oftaking Irene to fashionable places. I tried her once at the seaside fora week; but her conduct was scandalous, and I was forced to bring herhome at a minute's notice. I needn't repeat what she did; but she reallywas unbearable to every one in the house. Of course, Miss Frost, if yourlittle brother and sister can be happy here, I shall be delighted toreceive them."
"Then I will write this very day," said Miss Frost; and Rosamund tookcare that she kept her word.
In consequence, just as the holidays at the Merrimans' began, on thevery day that Mrs. Merriman walked all the way to The Follies in orderto see Rosamund, the little Frosts also made their appearance on thescene.
Mrs. Merriman came an hour before the children. She was dressed in herusual prim and proper style, and Rosamund could not help owning to adistasteful feeling when she saw her. She and Irene were walking aboutin a considerable state of excitement. Irene had been planning everyhour of the day for her visitors.
"You know I have never had visitors before," she said. "I don't exactlycount you as a visitor. You are dearer to me than I am to myself. Youare all the world to me; but these are visitors. If I could only forgetthat they belonged to Frosty all would be well."
"But you must on no account forget it. You must think of Frosty'spleasure as well as your own. You know you have promised--yes, you havepromised me, you who don't tell lies--to go up, not down, in future. Oh,there is Mrs. Merriman! I must run and speak to her."
"That prim, dumpling sort of woman? Oh, all right, go; but don't staylong with her. I want you. I am beginning to count the minutes now. Ifeel so terribly anxious at your leaving me."
Rosamund almost wished that she were not obliged to leave The Follies atthis juncture; but her own father and mother would not hear of herstaying away from them. She accordingly left Irene on the presentoccasion, and walked across the lawn to meet Mrs. Merriman.
Mrs. Merriman paused when she saw her.
"How do you do, Rosamund?" she said. She spoke coldly, and did not holdout her hand.
Rosamund replied in as prim a voice as the little lady had used:
"How do you do, Mrs. Merriman? I hope you are all quite well at theschool. How was Jane when you heard from her last?"
"Almost quite well, I am glad to say. She will be able to return to herlessons in the middle of September. I have something to say to you,Rosamund, and as we have met here in the avenue, I need not go up to thehouse."
"Just as you like about that," said Rosamund. "Wouldn't you like to havea cup of tea? I am sure Lady Jane would be pleased to see you. Are younot tired? The walk is a somewhat long one."
"I am never tired," replied Mrs. Merriman. "If my dear husband, mybeloved Professor, had even half my strength, we should not be obligedto keep a school full of troublesome girls at all."
"Indeed! are the others troublesome?" asked Rosamund, her eyessparkling.
"I cannot say that they are particularly troublesome now that you areaway."
Rosamund lowered her lids, but her eyes danced. She looked on theground.
"If I am to go back to the school next term, and take Irene with me, Idon't know how I shall bear it," she said to herself.
Mrs. Merriman, however, was nothing if not to the point.
"My dear," she said slowly, "it is my husband's lot and mine to have toearn money in a way which is in no way congenial to either of us."
"But you are always so kind! You never gave any trouble of any sort,"was Rosamund's response. "You seemed to understand us in a sort offashion. It was--Lucy!" she added with a burst.
"Lucy is my darling, beloved, and only child. You must not say a wordagainst her. I cannot stand it."
"Very well, I will try not to; but you know she does not like me."
"She certainly doesn't; but has she any reason for liking you,Rosamund?"
"Perhaps she has not; that is quite probable. I know I was notparticularly good when I was at Sunnyside."
"And do you think you are particularly good now?"
"I do not. Perhaps I see my faults more plainly than ever. But I havehelped Irene, and Irene is worth helping."
"I hardly dare to think of what I have come about to-day; but theProfessor has sent me. He has received a letter from your mother, and hehas also seen Mr. Singleton, and Mr. Singleton has suggested anextraordinary thing. He wants both you and Irene--yes, the dreaded, thefeared Irene--to come to our beautiful house for next term. You werepractically expelled from the school; but he wants you to come backagain, and the Professor has sent me to say that he is willing toreceive you both, on condition that you will not disturb the peace ofthe house."
"As far as I am concerned, I will not disturb it; but I cannot answerfor Irene."
"I dread her unspeakably," said Mrs. Merriman. "Do walk with me for alittle down this path, my dear. You, of course, are only an ordinarilynaughty girl. You have been very disobedient, but I can overlook that,and perhaps understand it; but she--some people say she is not quiteright in the head. Do you think that is true?"
"I know it to be false. She has cleverer brains than most of us."
"Then, if that is the case, she is just extraordinarily wicked--wickedbeyond most people."
"You may think that if you like, Mrs. Merriman, but it is also untrue. Iwill tell you quite frankly what has been wrong with Irene. People havebeen afraid of her. I was the only person who ever came across her pathwho showed no fear at her presence. I simply conquered her by having astronger will than she has. Now, if all your girls will behave in thatsort of fashion to her, not minding her when she does what she considersclever little tricks, she will soon stop them. I don't believe she willeven attempt them, for I shall do my utmost to prevent it. But if shedoes, your only plan is to take no notice of her. If people show nofear, then her fun is gone--her wings are cut, in short. That was theway I got an influence over her, and it is the way in which others mayget an influence over her. I want her to sleep in my room, instead ofdear Jane, whom I am so fond of."
"Oh! that will be quite easily managed, for no other girl would endureher as a room-fellow."
"I will do my very best to keep her tame. More I cannot say."
"I suppose you are very kind; but do tell me, is it true that she putswasps down people's necks? Does she put leeches into the beds withoutany one knowing anything about it? It is perfectly awful to think of."
"I am not going to tell tales out of school," said Rosamund, laughing."I can only say that Irene is greatly improved; and if your gir
ls, yourLucy included, will behave themselves, and not show the slightestfear--and why should they fear?--I think she will come out of the ordeala brave and strong and good girl. They all ought to help, and I wish Icould see them all and tell them so."
"I do believe you are quite a good girl," said Mrs. Merriman, turningher eyes in some amazement and looking at Rosamund. "I have been veryangry with you, and so was Lucy; my poor dear Lucy will never quiteforgive you; but I see now that you meant right, although you went thewrong way about it."
"It seemed the only way at the time. I am very sorry if I have troubledyou," said Rosamund.
"Well, then, I will expect you and Irene at the beginning of the term.You shall share the same room, and I trust you to keep Irene withinbounds. Now, good-by."
Mrs. Merriman turned and walked down the avenue, and was soon lost toview.
Irene, who had been watching this interview from the top branch of atall tree, now quickly descended and came up to Rosamund's side.
"So she has gone!" she said. "So she is to be my head-mistress infuture. But never mind her now. It is a long way off school-days, andthe holidays have hardly begun. Frosty has gone off to fetch thechildren. I am dying with excitement to see them. But it was great funto watch you, Rosamund. I could not hear what your words were; but I sawthat you were pleading for me, and promising to be my sponsor, mygodmother. As if I could be good there!"
"You must be good. I have declared it; I have almost staked myreputation on the fact. You will not disappoint me," was Rosamund'sreply.
The girls walked about for some little time together, and by-and-bythere came the sound of wheels, and they knew that the travelers hadarrived.
"Come along, Irene," said Rosamund; and they went down the avenue tomeet Miss Frost, who was herself driving the governess-cart. Her thinface was flushed with excitement, her eyes were bright; she looked tenyears younger, and almost pretty. An exceedingly pretty little girl,with dark eyes, and a quantity of fair hair tumbling about her face, satclose up to her half-sister. A boy, plain, with freckles, sandy hair,and light-blue eyes, was ejaculating in a lordly tone:
"I tell you, sister, you are not holding the reins right!--Oh, hullo!"he exclaimed as he saw Irene and Rosamund. "Won't you tell my sisterthat she is not to hold the reins like that? She is nagging at thepony's mouth all the time, and hurting him."
"Of course she is," said Irene, springing forward.
Hugh jumped from the governess-cart. Miss Frost also descended. Hugh andIrene had an earnest harangue on the subject of pony-driving, and MissFrost, much relieved at such an unceremonious introduction, turned herattention to little Agnes.
"Agnes is tired, and has a headache, and would like me to take her intothe house. May I?" she said, looking appealingly at Rosamund.
But Rosamund was not going to shirk her duty. These children were to beIrene's guests, and they must be immediately put into their rightposition. She turned, therefore, to her little friend and touched her onthe arm.
"Irene," she said, "you ought to have a proper introduction to Agnes.This is Agnes Frost."
Little Agnes came shyly forward and looked straight up with her big darkeyes at Irene. She was a smaller girl, and if possible still moredelicate-looking, but very pretty and interesting. Hugh, who had beenhaving such an interesting debate with Irene, now stepped up to Agnesand flung his arm round her neck.
"She is tired, poor baby!" he said. "She wants to go in and go to sleepfor an hour. You have a headache, haven't you, little un?"
"Yes," replied Agnes. "My head aches rather badly. It is the train--italways makes me feel sick."
"Then shall I take you into the house?" said Irene.
She forgot Hugh, to Hugh's own amazement. She took Agnes' tiny hand andled her toward the house. Miss Frost longed to follow; but Rosamund heldher back.
"No, no. On no account go with them," she said. "Let Irene feel that shehas got possession of the little one at once. You see how confidentlyAgnes gave her hand. That is the best possible sign. Let her take her toher room and see after her comforts."
Irene--who never before in all her life had any creature to look up toher, who was looked down upon with terror and shunned by herfellow-creatures, with the exception of Rosamund, who ruled her,although with the weapons of love--felt an altogether new sensation nowas the little creature, not so old as herself, clung to her confidently.
"I shall be glad to lie down," said little Agnes. "Have you ever gonelong journeys by train, and does your head ache?"
"No, I haven't gone long journeys by train; but I will take you to yourroom and draw down the blinds, and you can go to sleep."
"May I? That is what I want more than anything else. If I could sleepfor half-an-hour I should feel better."
"You shall, of course," said Irene.
She walked slowly through the house, holding this small, dependentcreature by the hand. Was she not her guest? She forgot all about poorMiss Frost, whose heart was devoured with jealousy; for little Agnes, inthe olden times, had clung to her. Now she clung close to Irene.
"You are so nice," she said, "and so pretty! I am glad I am coming tospend the holidays with you."
"Are you?" said Irene, with a queer look.
James the footman saw them as they went upstairs; and Lady Jane stood atthe drawing-room door, but made no sign.
Irene presently reached the small but very prettily arranged room whichthe little girl was to occupy.
"This room opens out of Frosty's," she said.
"Who is Frosty?" asked the child.
"My governess, of course, and your sister."
"Oh! but I'd rather sleep in a room opening out of yours. Can't I? Ofcourse, I'm very fond of my dear sister Emily; but you are so fresh, andI think you will take care of me."
"There is a tiny room which you could have next to mine, and we couldhave the doors open, and I promise to be awfully careful of you, if youreally like it best," said Irene, who felt more and more charmed at thedependence of this small creature.
"Yes, I know I'd like it best. But may I lie down here just for thepresent?"
"Of course you may."
Irene herself helped to remove Agnes's boots. She laid her on the bedand put the coverlet over her, and then rang the bell. One of thehousemaids appeared.
"I want some tea," said Irene in a lofty tone, "for little Miss AgnesFrost. You can bring it up on a tray with cakes, and I can have some atthe same time. And please arrange the pink bedroom opening out of minefor Miss Agnes to sleep in to-night. Do you hear? Do you understand?"
"Yes, miss, of course," said the girl, retiring in a great hurry in theutmost amazement; for over Irene's curious, expressive little face hadcome a new look--a look of protection, almost of motherhood.
She bent down and kissed little Agnes; and Agnes put her thin arms roundher neck, and said, "Oh, you are so beautiful, and so--so kind to me! Ofcourse, I love dear sister Emily; but she is old, and you are young. Iwant somebody young--somebody like you--to be kind to me, for I am sucha timid little girl. Will you take care of me?"
"I vow I will," said Irene.
"Then you will hold my hand if I do drop asleep--for this is such a big,strange house, and I may feel frightened?"
"No one shall frighten you while I am here," was Irene's answer.
The housemaid, the veritable Susan who had once spoken such harsh thingsto Irene, presently came in with the tea-tray. Irene herself poured outthe tea and brought it to little Agnes, who drank it feverishly, andthen lay down; but she was too tired and too ill from her journey tocare to eat any cakes. Just as she was dropping off to sleep, Miss Frostput in an anxious face.
"Run away, Frosty; run away at once. She is my charge," said Irene; andMiss Frost, smothering the jealousy which could not but arise in herheart, left the room.
This was a position she had not expected. Nevertheless, there was nohelp for it.
"Now, I am going to munch cakes, and you shall sleep. Would you like meto tell you a story wh
ile you are dropping off to sleep?"
"If it isn't at all frightening--if it is nice."
"I will tell you about the little princess in Hans Andersen. My darling,my noble, my beloved Rosamund told it to me, and I will tell it to you.Now then, listen."
Irene began. She could tell that marvelous tale with all the grace andunction and passion which her genius inspired her with. Little Agneslistened and listened, and forgot her terrors. She clung closer andcloser to her companion, and when the story came to an end her starryeyes were brimful of tears.
"Oh, that is very sweet!" said the little girl. "And now the littleprincess is one of the spirits of the air, and she has wonsomething"----
"She has won her soul," said Irene in a strange, strangled sort ofvoice; for it occurred to her that, after all, the little princess mighthave a greater resemblance to herself than ever she had thought. For wasshe not fighting for her own soul all this time?
While little Agnes slept, Irene sat in the room by her side still andquiet. There were voices heard in the distance; the manly voice ofHughie, who was somewhat dictatorial, and was ordering people about, andtelling this person or the other that they were doing things wrong, andwas terrifying his sister by his manly ways. There was Rosamund's voice,who was quite delighted at the turn events had taken. There was MissFrost's voice, anxious about Agnes, and quite sure that Irene must endby terrifying her. There was Rosamund again persuading and soothing, anddoing all she could to allow the present order of things to take anatural course. But upstairs in the pretty little bedroom the childslept peacefully; and Irene looked at her and felt new sensations, newhopes, new desires struggling in her breast. She had loved Rosamundbecause she was so strong. She was beginning to love little Agnesbecause she was so weak. What a strange tangle the world was! What washappening to her? And why was that curious living thing within sosatisfied, so happy, so sure of itself?
It was between six and seven o'clock when Agnes, neatly and tidilydressed, came downstairs, accompanied by Irene, who led her straightinto the drawing room.
"This is Agnes Frost, mothery," said Irene; "and you are on no accountto tire her. She is better now. Are you not, Agnes?"
"Yes, I am better," replied the little girl. "But who is this grand ladyyou are introducing me to?"
"This is my mother--Lady Jane."
"I never knew anybody called 'Lady' before."
"Well, my mother is Lady Jane--Lady Jane Ashleigh."
Little Agnes held out a timid hand.
"How do you do, dear? I hope you have got over the fatigue of yourjourney."
"Oh, yes, mothery, she is quite well now. Don't worry her," said Irenealmost rudely. "I am going to take her out in the boat on the lake."
"Be sure you are very careful."
"I will be careful enough."
Just then Miss Frost came in.
"Agnes, I hear Irene wants to take you out in the boat. You are not togo."
"But she has promised," said little Agnes.
She raised confiding dark eyes to her new friend's face.
"You must trust me, Frosty. Don't be a perfect goose," said Irene; andtaking Agnes' hand, they went down across the summer lawn to the placewhere the boat was moored. By-and-by Irene was seen by those whowatched, gently rowing among the water-lilies, with little Agnes at theother end of the boat.
"What a beautiful girl you are!" little Agnes kept saying; "and howhappy my sister ought to be, living always with you!"
"Don't ask her if she is happy for a day or two. I have given directionsabout your room. You shall sleep in the little pink room next to mine."